November is Adoption Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating thousands of families across the state who have opened their homes to 19,347 children in the past 10 years.

Courtrooms across the state are also opening their doors to finalize adoptions during special Adoption Day celebrations on November 22 in Chicago and Marion, November 23 in Rockford, and December 27 in Edwardsville.

Last fiscal year, 2,184 Illinois children were adopted into permanent, loving families. Currently, there are 18,850 youth in care waiting for a family and place to call home.

For more information about becoming an adoptive parent, visit dcfs.illinois.gov and click on “Loving Homes,” then click on “Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent.”