Visions to help promote adoption awareness

    HOULTON — Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. This year Visions, Blue Moon Art Gallery will have a window display to help raise awareness about children who are waiting to be adopted into a permanent home. The window display will be in place throughout the month of November. Visions is part of the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project that was formed in 1999. In addition to promoting the arts in southern Aroostook, Visions has been involved in helping to raise awareness about issues that affect communities.
    Adoption Awareness Month is a time for adoptees, adoptive parents, professionals and advocates to celebrate adoption and remind others that many children are still waiting for a permanent, loving family of their own. While all adoption related issues are important, this year the focus is on children in foster care waiting for a permanent home.
    Because the public is so often unaware of these kids and their needs, the hope is that many of these young people can unite with permanent adoptive parents. There are currently 365 Maine children who are waiting for a permanent home. Those who are thinking about adoption should know that the most important qualification is the ability to provide a stable, loving home and be able to help your adopted child work through issues raised by his or her past.
    Visions is located at 66 Main St. in Houlton. The window display will include photos of some of the Maine children waiting for a permanent home. Everyone is invited to stop by to view the window display and to stop in to view some of the art produced by local artists.