Release #452-98

Contact: Colleen RocheSamantha Lugo (212) 788-2958
Leonora Wiener (212) 266-2255 (ACS)

See Mayor's WINS address on this subject.

The Adoption Fair provides an opportunity for prospective adoptive parents to meet with adoption recruitment agency representatives and adoptive parents to learn how to adopt a child through the City of New York. Kathy Shepherd, Executive Producer of the WB11 Care for Kids Campaign, emceed the program, which included a presentation by an adoptive child and entertainment from City Kids, a youth empowerment group, the Jackie Robinson Marching Band, and the Children's Aid Society/Milbank Hip Hop Group.

"Even though New York City completed a record number of adoptions this past year, there are still many young people who need the care and love of an adopted family," said Mayor Giuliani. "That's why the adoption fair is so important for children and prospective parents. This year we have the help of an extremely talented young woman who has recently joined the City's adoption campaign. Mariah Carey's efforts, beginning with the production of a public service announcement to recruit foster and adoptive parents, are invaluable as we seek to increase public awareness and reach New Yorkers who may be interested in helping our foster children. Ms. Carey's dedication and commitment to music has made her the number one female pop singer today. Her dedication and commitment to children is equally strong and I am certain that she will soon become the number one children's advocate. I admire her talent and success and I applaud her determination to now help improve the lives of New York City foster children and families."

There are now 41,000 children in foster care in New York City. Approximately one-third, or 14,000, will not be returning to their biological families for various reasons. Of these children, about 6,800 have been freed for adoption-that is, their parental rights have been terminated. Most are in pre-adoptive homes with their foster parents but about 700 children are still in need of a permanent home.

Commissioner Scoppetta said, "Thanks to the combined efforts of ACS, the State Department of Social Services, and the New York City Family Court, we completed another record-breaking year of adoptions - 3,848 - in FY 1998. This is a 66 percent increase from FY 1994 and three times the number of adoptions completed in Los Angeles County - a jurisdiction comparable to New York City. Despite our record number of adoptions, however, there are still hundreds of children waiting for homes. I am delighted that so many prospective parents are here today to learn how they may give a child a permanent, loving home. ACS is committed to finding permanent homes for the children in our care. Children need a family for life, not just until they reach 18 and leave foster care. I want to thank the Mayor for his tireless support and Ms. Carey for all her work on behalf of the City's foster children."

Mariah Carey said, "It is a great pleasure to be a part of the campaign to find permanent families for the City's foster children. When kids feel someone is supporting them, they can grow and learn to make their dreams real. I know how important it is to have a strong sense of yourself. These kids are looking for love and a place to call home, a permanent home that helps them reach their full potential. It's great to see so many New Yorkers show they care about children by being here today. It's my hope that the television public service announcement we filmed this week and my involvement in projects like today's Adoption Fair will increase public awareness."

This year's Adoption Fair featured adoption orientation sessions led by adoption professionals as well as adoption information booths staffed by 47 adoption recruitment agencies. In addition, parents and children participated in family activities including a petting zoo, a marionette show and an air castle.

ACS' adoption campaign is funded in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of the "NYC Families for Kids" project. During the campaign, ACS has implemented the following initiatives:

• Launched the "Should I Adopt?" public service announcement campaign (December 1997) to increase public awareness about adoption.

• Established a Hotline (212) 676-WISH (9474) to answer questions prospective foster and adoptive parents may have about the process from beginning to end.

• Launched the NYC "One Church One Child" Program in November 1997 to seek adoptive parents in churches, temples, synagogues and mosques.

• Created the "New York City Family Album", which provides prospective parents with photographs and information about the children waiting to be adopted. Volume 3 premiered at today's Adoption Fair.

In addition, the following organizations made donations to this year's event: Aquacool, Arizona Beverages, Barnes & Noble, Coca Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Domino's, Drake's, Entemann's, Evian water, PenTech, Pepsi, Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, Snyder's of Hanover, and Utz Potato Chips.