SCRANTON — The Chenoweth family came to Lackawanna County’s annual Adoption Day on Monday wearing matching T-shirts saying, “It’s a Beautiful Day to Complete a Family.”
Jordan and Conrad Chenoweth made their family more complete with the adoption of 2-year-old Amari, during the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services’ annual Adoption Day celebration.
The Lehighton couple, who had been foster parents of the boy since October 2024, finalized their adoption of Amari during joyous legal proceedings at the Lackawanna County Government Center. The Chenoweths also have a biological daughter, Mileena, 10, and a foster son, Roman, 6.
“This is literally a miracle,” Jordan said of adopting Amari. “Him coming into our lives was literally like a blessing. He was really the perfect fit … he’s definitely the heart of the family. We are so honored.”
During the event, several county judges approved adoptions of 10 children by eight foster families. The children ranged in age from 18 months to 15 years, said Lisa Sohara of the Office of Youth and Family Services.
The federal government recognizes November as National Adoption Month, and every year the county OYFS holds a special day to celebrate and finalize a new batch of adoptions.
The office has 287 children currently in foster care, Sohara said.
While most children in foster care end up reunited with their families, parental rights in some cases are taken away. Adoptive parents range from those who adopt babies given up at birth or children removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, to people adopting children of relatives.
Monday’s event involved legal proceedings coupled with celebrations of children moving from the foster care system to their forever families.
The office has been holding the annual event for about 30 years, Sohara said. Each year, a new theme is chosen for Adoption Day so it resembles a big party. This year’s theme involved real people and fictional characters who were adopted. OYFS staff members dressed up as Babe Ruth, Buddy the Elf, Harry Potter, Batman and Spider-Man, to name a few.
“It’s a nice day. We don’t get many nice days in child welfare,” Sohara said. “I love the few chances we have to make a difference in people’s lives.”
County case workers pose for a photograph togehter at the county government building during Adoption Day Monday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Foster mother Jordan Chenoweth, of Lehighton, holds her soon-to-be adopted son Amari, 2, in the Lackwanna County Government Center Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
County case workers Kathleen Stephens, dressed up like a member of the press, and Brae Carpenter, dressed as Cinderella, pose for a photograph together during Adoption Day at the county government center Monday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Parents Jordan and and Conrad Chenoweth, of Lehighton, hold their adopted son Amari, 2, in the the county government center in Scranton Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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County case workers pose for a photograph togehter at the county government building during Adoption Day Monday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)