Eckerd Connects and CBC partners help finalize “Home for the Holidays” adoptions

When 2018 rings in the New Year nearly a dozen Tampa area families will have another reason to celebrate, they finalized their adoptions on December 27, 2017.

Eckerd Connects and our Community Based Care(CBC) partners were proud to be a part of helping 11 families adopt 14 children at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa.

“I have fostered 17 kids,” said Rosa Diaz with a big smile on her face shortly after she adopted one-and-a-half year old, Emma.  “Before I started with (Emma) I worked with children at my school church.”  It was there she says she really knew she enjoyed working with kids.

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge, Jack Espinosa, Jr. presided over the adoptions.

“We really are grateful for Judge Espinosa Jr. who cleared his docket just so we can have all of these adoptions so these children can be with their families in time for the holidays,” said Phyllis Ho, J.D.  Director of Adoptions at Eckerd Connects.  “It truly is was a special day at the courthouse with lots of smiling faces.”

Eckerd Connects and our Community Based Care providers serve more than 7,000 children in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties.  There is a need for more Foster and adoptive families. There is especially a need for adoptive parents for children ten years of age and older.  If you or someone you know would like to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent go to www.Eckerd.org.

Eckerd Connects introduced our “Home for the Holidays” campaign earlier this month. Those working in the local child welfare system focused on expediting the processes to get children placed so they, too, can have a reason to celebrate.