Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sunday, September 26, 199

Release #376 -99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Samantha I. Lugo (212) 788-2958
Leonora Wiener, ACS (212) 341-0999


MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS NEW YORK CITY'S LARGEST ADOPTION RECRUITMENT EVENT OF THE YEAR

NYC Adopt 1999: Finding Families for Children" Held In Central Park

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today hosted the 22nd annual NYC Adopt: Finding Families for Children this afternoon in Central Park's East Meadow. New Jersey Net Jayson Williams, actress and model Isabella Rossellini, and New York Knick Patrick Ewing joined Mayor Giuliani and Commissioner Scoppetta to help celebrate the 3,800 adoptions completed in New York City this year and to bring attention to the nearly 1,000 children in foster care who are still in need of permanent homes.

"There is nothing more essential to a child than a loving, stable family. That's why NYC Adopt is so important for children and prospective parents," said Mayor Giuliani. "This year, we are fortunate to have Isabella Rossellini, Jayson Williams, and Patrick Ewing here with us to help increase public awareness and reach New Yorkers who may be interested in adopting a child."

Commissioner Scoppetta said, "Children need a family for their entire lives. Thanks to the combined efforts of ACS, the State Office of Children and Family Services, and the New York City Family Court, we completed 11,657 adoptions over the past three years. Still, of the 37,500 children in foster care in New York City, as many as a third will not be returning home. The majority of these children live in pre-adoptive homes but nearly a thousand are waiting for permanent families.

"Today, we hope to find new homes for as many of these children as possible," Commissioner Scoppetta continued. "I'm delighted that so many prospective parents are here to learn more about adoption through the City of New York. I thank the Mayor for his tireless commitment to ACS and Isabella Rossellini, Jayson Williams, and Patrick Ewing for supporting the City's foster children."

NYC Adopt 1999's other special guests included Kathy Shepherd, Executive Producer of the WB11 Care for Kids Campaign, who emceed the program; Jann Heffner, Director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; Keith and Evelyn Roman-Snellgrove, two adopted children; Janice Huff, NBC4 meteorologist and Wednesday's Child host; and the WB11 News at Ten team - Kaity Tong, Jim Watkins and Irv "Mr G" Gikofsky.

Jayson Williams said, "Any parent will tell you that raising a child is a challenging job, which requires an enormous amount of commitment. But any parent, myself included, will also tell you that what you get back from your kids is amazing. Watching them grow and knowing that you are helping them to attain their dreams is what makes being a parent so special."

After the program, hundreds of prospective parents visited information booths staffed by over 45 adoption recruitment agencies and attended adoption orientation workshops. Ms. Rossellini led the first adoption workshop, "What it means To Be an Adoptive Parent."

Isabella Rossellini said, "I have two children, one adopted, and I have the same feeling about them both: we were destined to be together. They simply are my family. And family, whether through adoption or birth, is full of love, connection, and belonging. I am delighted to be here today and share my experiences with people who are thinking about adoption. My hope is that this workshop can help more children and adults find each other."

In addition to the adoption orientation workshops, there was family entertainment throughout the day, including Farm on the Moove petting zoo from Green Chimneys, air castles, face painting, the Central Park Marionette Troupe and the Yalloppin' Hounds swing band.

ACS's adoption campaign, which is funded in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, includes the following initiatives:


Hosted by Janice Huff, Wednesday's Child features hard-to-place children who are looking for permanent homes and is broadcast each Wednesday during the 5 p.m. news.

ACS thanks the following sponsors of NYC Adopt 1999: Wendy's, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Adoption Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, WB11 Care for Kids Campaign, WWRL-AM 1600, WADO-AM 1280, and NBC4.

The following organizations also made donations to this year's event: Tropicana, Pepsi Cola & 7 Up, M & M Mars, Aqua Cool, Quaker Oats, Entenmanns, Snapple, F & V Central - Arizona Beverages, and Drakes Bakery.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us


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