JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville grandmother is adopting two young sisters from foster care at a Valentine’s Day event.
Camille is finalizing the adoption of Fatima and Malina, who will also act as honorary bailiffs for the proceedings.
In 2022, Camille was a teacher, a mother of two grown daughters and a grandmother of five boys.
“I was an empty-nester, I traveled--trust me I was living my life!” Camille said laughing.
She had an unexpected experience with a student and the child welfare system that made her determined to be a foster parent.
Her first and only placement was Fatima and Malina. Camille’s family embraced them and made them part of the family.
“A child knows when you love them,” Camille said. “Adopting them is, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve had them for about four years now and this and this is a day we have been waiting on.”
Fatima said she “KNOWS knows” her mom loves her because she is adopting her.
Camille said all week the children were asking her if today was the day, things were finalized.
“A light is coming on in a child’s life,” Camille said. “You’ll never regret it.”
The adoption event was put on by Family Support Services (FSS). The organization said it wants to highlight the ongoing need for permanent homes for North Florida kids, especially those with special medical situations.
FSS said there are more than 370 youth in Duval and Nassau counties open to adoption from foster care, including more than 100 teens.
Friday, 17 children were adopted into 12 families.
It’s something Camille said she likes knowing people are doing and hopes more people start adopting.
“If you can make a difference in one child’s life, you’ve made a huge difference in somebody’s life,” Camille said.
The next in-person info event for potential adoptive parents will be March 11.
For more information go to familysupport.org or email adoption@fssnf.org.