Every child deserves a loving, supportive and permanent home. As a parent, I can tell you what a difference this makes in a child's life. Since its formation in 1996 as New York City's first agency dedicated to ensuring the safety and well being of all children, the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) has made adoption a top priority. Each year, ACS finds adoptive homes for an average of 3,000 children - more than double the number of adoptions completed a decade ago. In this calendar year so far, ACS has finalized adoptions for nearly 1,500 children. Thanks to the hard work of ACS, under the leadership of Commissioner William Bell, and its network of contract agencies throughout the five boroughs, 22,000 children have been adopted since 1996.

While this is good news, there are still hundreds of children in need of a permanent home. Today, thousands of New York City's 27,500 foster children cannot return to their biological families. Fortunately, most of these children currently live with pre-adoptive parents. Yet 800 of these children are waiting for adoptive parents to open their hearts and homes to them - permanently.

On Saturday, October 5th, the City will hold its 25th annual adoption fair, NYC Adopt: Finding Families for Children, in Central Park. If you or someone you know has ever considered adoption, then the event is the perfect opportunity to learn about the adoption process. From 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the park's East Meadow, adoption professionals from 45 agencies will be on hand to answer questions and lead orientation sessions. Victoria Rowell, actress from "The Young and the Restless" and founder of the Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan, will speak about growing up with foster parents and share her insights into the joys and challenges of caring for these loving children. Also, a young adult who was adopted when she was six years old will discuss her experience with the adoption process in New York City.

There is an opportunity to learn many new facts at NYC Adopt 2002. For example, adoptive parents do not have to be married or earn a certain income; they can be gay or straight; there are no fees and financial assistance is available after the adoption process is complete. This year, attendees can learn about the many adolescents, and children with special needs who need a place to call home. The day would not be complete without fun activities for the entire family, including the fabulous sounds of the Jackie Robinson Marching Band, face painting and air castles. Play with animals at the petting zoo and enjoy snacks and beverages generously donated by several event sponsors.

There is nothing more important to a child than a loving home. Adoptive parents can provide children with the support and stability they need to help them have a better chance to succeed in life. For more information about becoming an adoptive parent or about NYC Adopt 2002, please call the ACS Parent Recruitment Hotline at 212-676-WISH (9474) or log onto www.nyc.gov/acs.