ST. LOUIS — On Saturday, Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition officials said 555 children have been connected to adoption through 'A Place to Call Home.'
Three numbers added up in St. Louis County Family Court for a very special occasion for the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. Those numbers are 1, 24, and 555.
One child, named Kevon, was adopted by Keith and Michelle Johnson through the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. There are 24 children in total who officially found a forever home in St. Louis County Family Court on Adoption Saturday. And Kevon is the 555th child to be featured on “A Place to Call Home,” who was either adopted or matched for possible adoption. For decades, the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition has partnered with 5 On Your Side.
5 On Your Side met Kevon and his new family, complete with built-in brothers and an older sister, earlier in the week at the World’s Fair Pavilion. The location – Forest Park - has significance for Kevon’s new family.
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Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition Extreme Recruiter Maddie Bobbitt said, “About a year ago, this is where Kevon’s initial visit was with Michelle, Keith, and their children. We all met here, initially at the Jewel Box, and we walked around the Playscape and played together.”
Michelle and Kevon are related–Adoption officials said this case has added significance.
Bobbitt said, “Michelle is Kevon's second cousin on his maternal side, and that's how he was located through our family finding investigators.”
Adoptive mother Michelle Johnson said, “I have always wanted to be able to go into foster care. I wanted to be able to own my own group home one day, and to be able to have siblings stay together, to be able to keep families together.”
Like so many families, this one is the product of “A Place to Call Home.”
Bobbitt said, “Our partnership with KSDK 5 On Your Side and Anthony Slaughter is huge. It is a really amazing tool that we recruiters use in our adoption recruitment for kids just like Kevon, who are looking for their forever families.”
And with that, the court was adjourned.
Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition officials said they raised more than $2 million during Foster Hope Day, on Nov. 14 and more than 900 donations were made.
