Rhode Island Family Court Chief Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian and the Rhode Island Judiciary will sponsor a special event to celebrate the 10th National Adoption Day on Nov. 23. The event coincides with events being planned across the United States to draw attention to the adoption process and the large number of children available for adoption. The Court finalized 18 adoptions with 14 different families. Many sponsors and community agencies have joined in the celebration.

The celebration will begin at 9 a.m. on the 5th Floor of the Garrahy Judicial Complex. Many community sponsors are involved: Dunkin Brands; HASBRO; Pawtucket Red Sox; Cardi Brothers; Adoption Rhode Island, Foster Forward; Pepsi; Say Cheese Photography; and local restaurants. 

Speakers include Chief Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian of Rhode Island Family Court; Chief Justice Paul Suttell of the Supreme Court; Janice De Frances, executive director, Department of Children, Youth and Families; Nick, Ron and Pete Cardi; and special guests Gayle Goldin and her husband Jeff Levy and their sons Zach and Jonah, who will speak about their family’s experience with adoption. Gayle and Jeff adopted Jonah at the first RI Family Court National Adoption Day held on Nov. 20, 2004.