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WILKES-BARRE — Fourteen-year-old Nahmir is hoping for a “forever family.”
The teen made his way through an adoption match event at the Children’s Service Center on Saturday, sharing stories about the Philadelphia Eagles, his shoe size and his life.
In foster care since 2008, Nahmir said he was hoping the event would provide a “fresh start” for him.
In addition to the Children’s Service Center and Luzerne County Children & Youth Services, about 10 agencies from around the state were on hand to offer information about their programs. The Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network strives to link these agencies to expedite the adoption of children waiting for permanent homes.
Rebecca Nallon, adoption supervisor at the Children’s Service Center, deemed the event a success, with 12 families that had registered and others who were “walk ins.”
Duane Benedict, of Montrose, attended with his wife, Janice, and his three children: Cinnamon, 15, Vienna, 13, and Toby, 5.
Duane Benedict said about a year ago, the family had begun considering adoption and that the event was eye opening for him.
“We got a chance to interact with the children available for adoption and the staff that works with them,” he said. “That’s so much better than just seeing a face on a page or online.”
The Benedict children fully participated in the event, quick to share a story about last summer’s blueberry festival and their participation in it as a family.
“Family,” Benedict said, “is important.”
Nallon said the event even provided a quiet area on the second floor for children waiting to be adopted to spend time with families, playing board games and getting to know each other.
Chelsea Lutz, from the Children’s Home of Reading, offered synopses of children available for adoption.
One group of seven siblings, some handicapped, would like to remain together.
One young man, 15, would like to be an only child in a quiet environment and keep in touch with his other siblings.
Some liked science, some liked art, some liked after-school activities.
Each shared a need to be part of a family.
The event was all about bringing children and families together that would best fit each other, with soup and sandwiches providing a cordial environment and a chance for conversation.
Luzerne County Children & Youth’s Corrine Carper, at the event to provide information about foster parenting and adoption, said the need for foster parents is a continuing one.
“Every day, the need is there,” she said. “Every day.”