Family Fun Day Focuses On Foster Care, Adoption

By John Voket

There were loads of reasons for children to come to Dickinson Park June 5, including games, a K-9 demonstration, face painting, cookout-style refreshments, a petting zoo, and a chance to explore a fire truck or get up close to an authentic NASCAR race car.

But for a cluster of about a half-dozen 30-something women lining the front of the makeshift stage area, Newtown’s Family Fun Day sponsored by the Department of Children and Families was a chance to get up close and personal with country music star Matt Kennon, who sang and spoke to the several hundred attendees.

Mr Kennon, whose hit country single “The Call,” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK3zs7EV6Tk) helped propel him into the national musical spotlight, has carved out a niche as a spokesperson for adoption and foster care. During his visit to Newtown, he told the audience his passion for this cause was largely inspired by his own personal experiences since being adopted himself when he was just a few days old.

“I knew I was adopted for as long as I can remember,” Mr Kennon said. “My mother didn’t want to keep it a secret.”

For nearly an hour, the singer and songwriter kept the audience enthralled, introducing song after song that recalled incidents or parts of his life as he grew up. He talked about eventually locating and met his estranged birth parents, and experienced the intense mix of emotions those meetings provided.

His uncomfortable introduction to his birth father, a radio personality, was the impetus for the song “If I Was Any Kind of Man.” He also harkened back to his childhood, and being bullied in the song, “You Had to Pick On Me.”

Several state officials and a representative for the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents also took the opportunity to remind visitors to spread the word about the thousands of children in the state who are seeking caring foster and adoptive homes.

According to DCF representative Yvette Newton, the event was intended to go beyond promoting the foster/adoption cause, by honoring and celebrating “already licensed foster and adoptive families who give altruistically to children in need.”

The country music radio station KICKS 105.5 provided a remote broadcast, and the sight of NASCAR modified #2 and driver Todd Szegedy welcomed the crowd as it arrived near the Dickinson pavilion entrance.

The DCF serves as the state run, child protective service agency here in Connecticut, Ms Newton explained. 

“Although our mission is to preserve families whenever possible, there are times when placement into foster care is necessary,” she said. “Currently there are over 4,900 children under the custody and care of the Department here in Connecticut and over 3,000 of those children are living in foster care.” 

Many of these children are currently in congregate care settings such as residential facilities or group homes, Ms Newtown added. 

For more information on this event contact Ms Newton directly at 203-207-5267. Visit www.ctfosteradopt.com or call 888-KID-HERO for information on foster care and adoption.