Yavapai County News – Yavapai County Juvenile Court celebrated 8 children being adopted into their forever families on November 8, 2024. National Adoption Day is traditionally on November 23rd, but the celebrations started early at the Juvenile Justice Center in Prescott. The families were welcomed to the Adoption Day event by the cute critters from the Itty-Bitty Pony Petting Zoo, along with Hope, Baldo, and Sadie from Pet Partners of Prescott and the Cat in the Hat. Balloon Artist Cody Williams and Face Painter Cody and Christina from QT Entertainment provided fantastic balloon creations and beautiful face painting for the children. Officer Steve Sellers and his canine partner, Sirius from the Chino Valley Police Department interacted with the children and their families, and the children got to explore a SWAT vehicle from the Prescott Police Department and Fire Engine 75 from the Prescott Fire Department. The children also enjoyed playing in bounce houses and with yard games. Yavapai County Juvenile Probation kept hot dogs hot and fresh on the BBQ and the families and friends enjoyed cupcakes, popcorn, and other snacks served by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers. Photographers Christine Beyea and Jodi Champion were on site to capture the special memories of the day for the families.
The Courtroom was decorated with children’s books, stuffed animals, balloons, and quilts from the Mountain Top Quilters Guild who provide beautiful quilts for children adopted in the court year-round. After the hearings, the families and children took pictures with Judge Anna Young, and they were able to select a homemade quilt, a cuddly stuffed animal, and a book. Judge Young also provided each child adopted with a copy of the Dr. Seuss book, Oh the Places You’ll Go!
Presiding Juvenile Judge Anna Young reported “The Yavapai County Juvenile Court, through the efforts of our court, CASA and juvenile probation staff and volunteers, was able to host a fun-filled Adoption Day at the Juvenile Justice Center in Prescott. The families all had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the activities and treats made possible by the generous funding from Yavapai Casa for Kids Foundation. Judge Rhonda Repp and I had a great time helping the seven families who participated in the event with finalizing their adoptions.”
This event was made possible by the generous support of many organizations. CASA of Yavapai County would like to send out a huge thank you to the following:
- Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation for providing generous support allowing CASA of Yavapai County to put on a fun Adoption Day Celebration for our children and families
- Mountain Top Quilters Guild for keeping us supplied all year with beautiful quilts to give to the
children on their special day - Laura Hamblin as Cat in the Hat
- Layne and Hope, Betsy and Baldo, Susan and Addy, and Vicky and Sandi from Prescott Pet Partners
- Our fabulous CASA volunteers and staff
- The amazing BBQ skills of Yavapai County Juvenile Probation staff
- Yavapai County Facilities Department, for their prep work at the Juvenile Justice Center
- Local First Responders from the Prescott Police Department, the Chino Vally Police Department, and the Prescott Fire Department.
For more information about fostering and adoption go to: https://dcs.az.gov/fosteradoption/provide-permanency-child-through-adoption
Interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)? Please visit:
www.casaofyavapaicounty.org to find out if being a CASA would be a good fit for you.