Skinner family celebrates National Adoption Day
By: Mark Gruba
Updated: November 19, 2012
National Adoption Day was a celebration for Tina and Gerald Skinner of Gates, and their new adopted son Will.
The Skinners were part of a packed adoption ceremony held in Monroe County Family Court on Friday. "It feels great to finally see that I finally have a dad that's going to be there and a mother that's going to be there to see me grow up and become a man," said Will.
His adoption ceremony was the culmination of a two year process, which began when his case workers introduced him to the Skinners. "We just loved William from the first time me and him saw each other in Abbott's, we just kind of hit it off," said Gerald.
"For a few months, like four months maybe, he was just coming to us on the weekends and we were just doing a slow transition, just seeing how it fit, see if he was happy, see if we were happy," said Tina.
Will was born in Africa. He came to the U.S. from Rwanda in 2006 and lived with foster parents. He wanted something more permanent. He found the Skinners. "I just stuck around with people I loved and they loved me back," said Will.
"That's why we've opened ourselves up to the ones that don't have anybody," said Tina.
With his adoption, 15 year old Will also became a U.S. citizen. The Skinners now have two adopted children, with plans for another. "It's just something that we really got in our hearts, that we wanted to provide love for these kids and see if we can give them a good upbringing," said Gerald.
To date, Monroe County Court has facilitated over 13,800 adoptions.
The Skinners were part of a packed adoption ceremony held in Monroe County Family Court on Friday. "It feels great to finally see that I finally have a dad that's going to be there and a mother that's going to be there to see me grow up and become a man," said Will.
His adoption ceremony was the culmination of a two year process, which began when his case workers introduced him to the Skinners. "We just loved William from the first time me and him saw each other in Abbott's, we just kind of hit it off," said Gerald.
"For a few months, like four months maybe, he was just coming to us on the weekends and we were just doing a slow transition, just seeing how it fit, see if he was happy, see if we were happy," said Tina.
Will was born in Africa. He came to the U.S. from Rwanda in 2006 and lived with foster parents. He wanted something more permanent. He found the Skinners. "I just stuck around with people I loved and they loved me back," said Will.
"That's why we've opened ourselves up to the ones that don't have anybody," said Tina.
With his adoption, 15 year old Will also became a U.S. citizen. The Skinners now have two adopted children, with plans for another. "It's just something that we really got in our hearts, that we wanted to provide love for these kids and see if we can give them a good upbringing," said Gerald.
To date, Monroe County Court has facilitated over 13,800 adoptions.
