On Friday, Hill County celebrated its first Adoption Day event as three families finalized the adoption of five children.
Carrie Williams adopted her niece and nephew who were removed from their home in Whitney in March of 2017.
Williams who already has two sons moved from Washington State to Abilene last year to begin the process of adopting her relatives.
"I didn't want them to feel left behind or that they weren't something someone really wanted," Williams said.
Now, 9-year-old Ashlynn and 7-year-old Jayden will have a forever home in Abilene.
"I feel so blessed that I get to be part of their family and that they get to be part of ours," Williams said.
The event held at Hill College in Hillsboro during Adoption Awareness Month aimed to highlight the importance of it. At the end of September, more than 3,700 children and teens in Texas were available for adoption including 900 here in Central Texas.
"Children need loving families. They need that support. They need someone to guide and direct them in the right direction so that they become successful adults and our hope is that the children who are adopted through the foster care system continue to have that opportunity," said Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Specialist Stephanie Conner.
Both Ashlynn and Jayden are looking forward to having a forever home.
"(I feel) happy... because I get to be with my aunt," Ashlynn said.
Learn how to become an adoptive parent here . You can find children available for adoption in our area by visiting the Heart Gallery of Central Texas
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