Decatur non-profit asks community to reflect during adoption month

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) –November is adoption month. And one Central Illinois non-profit said it's a time to reflect on the number of children waiting to find homes.

The National Council for Adoption said in 2022 there were more than 100,000 children waiting to be adopted in the U.S.

Pritzker proclaims Nov. Adoption Awareness Month in Illinois

Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy in Decatur is currently helping 230 kids. According to the organization's Director of Marketing and Giving, every child deserves a forever home and family, and the process is simpler than some might think.

"There will be the background check, they come out and check their home, there's the fingerprinting. But I think that people think that it's much more difficult than it actually is," Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy Director Holly Newbon said. "And the agency that you work with will be there to walk alongside you throughout the process and usually help support individuals and their families as well."

She said the organization has already placed 35 kids into homes.