Waukesha Co. hosts National Adoption Day to bring awareness to 7,000 kids in Wisconsin foster care

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- November is National Adoption Month.

Each year, Waukesha County marks the occasion by uniting a family, and raising awareness about the thousands of children available for adoption.

Waukesha resident Tammy Schmitz officially adopted her 4-year-old granddaughter, Aria, during the county's annual Adoption Day celebration on Friday, Nov. 10. 

"She's been with me for three years, so it's like I've had her. She's been mine," Schmitz said.

Judge Cody Horlacher has overseen about a dozen adoptions in his three months on the bench in Waukesha.

"Any time we get to make sure children are placed in stable environments is always the best part of the job," Judge Horlacher said.

For him, each adoption proceeding is heartwarming.

"The amount of love that goes into the entire process is there, and today is a reflection of that," Horlacher said.

With 7,000 Wisconsin children in foster care, he recommends those interested in adoption start as a foster parent.

"That is often times one of the first steps to becoming an adoptive parent," Horlacher explained.

Though the process can be long and emotional, Aria's new mom, Tammy, says it's worth it.

"Take that step. Don't be afraid. Think about the child," Schmitz said. "It's just a matter of unconditional love."

Aria is one of more than 700 children adopted in Waukesha County in the last decade.