While thousands celebrated the Golden State Valkyries during a parade in San Francisco on Wednesday, another celebration was taking place at the Civic Center Courthouse as 10 children were adopted.
The family court rotunda was alive with laughter, children squealing, food, balloons and a festive dragon draped along the ceiling as more than 100 family members and friends waited for their time in the courtroom, where Juvenile Court Judge Roger Chan would finalize the adoptions.
“One of the most profound moments in the adoption hearing is when I get to pronounce the child’s name after adoption,” said Chan as he spoke at the podium before the proceedings began. “Through this ceremony, we will legally recognize and proclaim your love and the families that you have built. The juvenile court is built on hope, courage to do hard things, and action.”
San Francisco Human Services Commissioner Scott Kahn said the commission last week approved a resolution proclaiming November 2026 as National Adoption Month.
“As we gather to celebrate the adoption of 10 children during National Adoption Month, we honor the families built by choice, by love, and with the courage to open their hearts,” Kahn said. “While every adoption is different, they remind us that family is not defined by shared DNA, but by commitment and unconditional love.”
While waiting in the hallway to officially adopt the almost 2-year-old little boy wearing red suspenders and a golden necklace, Whitley Grant shared how her life changed forever when she received a letter from Child Protective Services. It asked whether she would consider taking in a 3-month-old baby connected to her family.
Describing Wharren as a happy baby who has brought a light to her life, she also expressed a hope for him to one day have a relationship with his birth parents.
When asked what she would say to someone considering fostering or adoption, she didn’t miss a beat and said, “Do it. Go with your heart.”
Social worker John Viet — who initially started his career 12 years ago investigating abuse — said transitioning into the adoptions unit has been an incredible experience.
…Family is not defined by shared DNA, but by commitment and unconditional love.
Scott Kahn, San Francisco Human Services Commissioner
“To see people turn their lives upside down to raise children who aren’t theirs, it gives me hope in humanity,” he said. “To see kids now in a stable, happy, safe home where they can grow and thrive is incredible and an honor and privilege.”
For people unsure about how to get involved, Viet encouraged potential foster parents to consider becoming a court-appointed special advocate or to consider getting involved with organizations serving foster youth like San Francisco Foster Youth Fund, for which he’s a board member.
For Sasha McGowan, who also waited in the courthouse hallway with her family and 5-year-old Harlen dressed in a button-down shirt and bowtie, the day was the moment they’d all been waiting for.
Harlen chased a balloon as she shared the details of their adoption journey that has included more than 12 years of fostering teens and the adoption of five other children before Harlen came into their lives and needed a permanent home.
“The relief is incredible,” she said. “The process is almost infinite — feels like it’s going to go on forever. And so to know that we’re at the end is incredible.”
Becky Kent had also started off as a foster mother before Owen came into her care when he was a year old. Now 3 years old, he zoomed around the courtroom rotunda trying to snag more cookies from the table and playing with Viet, the social worker assigned to his case.
Kent said once it was clear reunification would not be possible, she was eager to adopt the little boy with whom she’d bonded. But she remembered a conversation with his birth mother before adoption was on the table.
“His bio mom knew that she was struggling and that she might not be able to take care of him. I told her how much I loved him and said that if anything happened, I would definitely adopt him,” Kent said. “And she says, ‘You know, that’s all I want is for him to be loved and cared for.’”
Nekissia Mixon shared her story from the podium as one of the event’s speakers. She became an adoptive mother after taking in her 10-year-old nephew Demandre Harris when his mother passed away. Mixon said her nephew went on to get accepted into 14 colleges, but was only in his second year of college when he was killed in a car accident.
“Although losing him was heartbreaking, I continued to feel his presence through dreams, encouraging me to continue giving back to children,” she said.
Those dreams led her to open her home to more foster children until a little girl named Mariella was placed in her care. Once it became clear she could not reunify with her birth family, Mixon said she was ready to adopt.
“Something beautiful happened along the way,” Mixon said. “I wasn’t just helping her grow. She was helping me. She has taught me patience. She’s taught me strength. She’s taught me to be compassionate, and most of all, she’s taught me unconditional love.”