Essex Vicinage to Celebrate National Adoption Day

The Essex Vicinage will host a virtual and in-person Adoption Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Robert N. Wilentz Justice Complex, 212 Washington St., Newark, Assignment Judge Sheila Venable announced today.

Following her welcome remarks with Presiding Family Division Judge John Zunic to the families, Judge Venable will join Judges Nora J. Grimbergen and Amy K. Manigan to finalize 11 adoptions for the families that have agreed to participate. The celebration will include a special guest speaker, breakfast, and crafting projects with students from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Throughout the day, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the Junior League of Montclair-Newark will host a celebration at Rutgers Law School in Newark, where the families and their guests will be treated to lunch, games, gifts, activities, a photo-booth, and music. Gifts include books, toys, gift cards for the children, and supermarket gift cards for the families. The Essex County Surrogate’s Office will provide each family with bookbags.

Information about the adoption process can be obtained from the surrogate’s office. For more information about becoming a licensed foster/adoptive parent, call 1-877-NJFOSTER.

In addition to DCP&P, the county surrogate’s office, CASA, the Junior League, and Seton Hall University School of Law, the program is also hosted by the offices of the Attorney General and the Public Defender.  

Although adoptions are closed to the public, photographers and reporters can attend the virtual event and can arrange to interview selected families after their adoptions conclude. Contact Assistant Family Division Manager Kenneth James at 973-776-9300, ext. 56731 for additional information.