BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 There\u2019s nothing like a hug from mom. <\/p>\n
For 11-year-old Gianna, Saturday\u2019s embrace was extra special \u2014 it was the moment Sandra Wilson officially adopted her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had bonded right from the very start and we just had a lot of things in common and it\u2019s always been a love relationship with us, almost like a sisterhood,\u201d Sandra Wilson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited and happy,\u201d Gianna added.<\/p>\n
They were one of 16 Broward County families who shared moments like this during a \u201cNational Adoption Day\u201d ceremony at the Broward County Courthouse. The event was hosted by ChildNet, the nonprofit responsible for managing child welfare services in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the day we really honor and recognize the amazing people that adopt children out of foster care,\u201d said ChildNet CEO Larry Rein.<\/p>\n
Over the last decade in Broward County, ChildNet says it has helped bring the number of children in foster care from 3,900 to just over 1,300. Rein said that while the progress is significant, there\u2019s still more to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a day of joy in a business that is sometimes not so joyous. This, for these children and these families it\u2019s all about hope and celebration and giving these kids a future that is going to be different and better than they might have had otherwise,\u201d Rein said.<\/p>\n
For many families in the courtroom, the journey to this day has been long and challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve gone through a lot and I\u2019m just so happy,\u201d said Sasha Chirino.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe words are hard to describe this feeling. We\u2019re so lucky, blessed and I get to be a dad which is amazing,\u201d added Rolando Chirino.<\/p>\n
Still, families said the love they share \u2014 and the future they can now build together \u2014 is what matters most.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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