The San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse in downtown Stockton transformed into a place of celebration on Saturday, November 23, 2024, as 22 children were adopted into 18 families during the county’s 25th annual National Adoption Day event. The initiative is part of a national effort to raise awareness about the 108,000 children in foster care across the United States waiting for permanent families.
The children adopted ranged from 1 to 13 years old, with families finalizing their new beginnings under the guidance of San Joaquin County Superior Court judges. Judge Erin Guy Castillo described the event as one of the most rewarding aspects of her role, saying, “It is truly the best thing I get to do as a judge.”
The day was filled with heartfelt stories, like that of Stockton resident Savonya Tyesha Latice Jones Chappell, who adopted her 1-year-old nephew, Aayan, after caring for him since he was just two days old. Chappell described Aayan as a "gift of God" and shared how he has brought immense joy and meaning to her life.
Craig Pedrucci, child welfare division chief for the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, reflected on the significance of the day: “When you leave, you just feel so good, especially having it the weekend before Thanksgiving. It makes you feel grateful.”
In addition to celebrating the families, the event served as a reminder of the ongoing need for adoptive families, especially for children with special needs and teenagers. Pedrucci emphasized that even those unable to adopt can support foster youth in other ways, such as providing transitional support or organizing community activities.
This year’s event was supported by organizations like Parents by Choice, Family Extension Foster Care, and The Linus Project, which provided handmade blankets to adopted children.
For those considering adoption, Chappell had a message: “It’s a blessing. If you’re thinking of adopting, you must have an empty hole in your heart somewhere, and that baby or child will fill that void.”
This article is a summary of the original reporting by Hannah Workman for The Stockton Record. Read the full story here.