Blog
National Adoption Day: The Dukes Give Their Granddaughter a Forever Home
With love, support and boatloads of sweet treats, ASCI celebrated National Adoption Day with 15 adoptive families in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Eighteen of our children found forever homes, and the courthouses were filled with tears of joy.
Although all families are special, one unique family stood out. Fred and Carolyn Dukes adopted their 8-year-old granddaughter, Brooklyn, who came into their care last year due to the tragic passing of Brooklyn’s mother.
“Every child deserves a forever home,” Fred shares. “It was the best thing to do for our granddaughter. She needs permanency.”
Fred describes Brooklyn as a very loving, caring, compassionate and smart social butterfly. It’s fairly easy to shower Brooklyn with love because of who she is, he says. She brings new life into the Dukes’ household.
This beautiful 8-year-old is also gifted in piano and loves to draw.
Even though Brooklyn is their granddaughter, she was so excited to be named “daughter” to Fred and Carolyn. This year’s National Adoption Day changed the Dukes’ family dynamic forever.
Adoption Day was absolutely amazing. We just added a new chapter to our story.
-FRED DUKES
Fred also shares that he is a former employee of A Second Chance, Inc. He spent 14 years with the agency and now works for Allegheny County‘s Office of Children, Youth and Families. So, during this process, he knew exactly what needed to be done, and his ASCI family helped execute the adoption!
“I had a clear understanding of the passion and vision of Dr. McDaniel. Everything they provided that we needed for Brooklyn was excellent,” he says.
Fred and Carolyn are excited to watch Brooklyn continue to grow into her destiny and cannot wait to see the positive impact she will make as a young African-American woman who wants to make a difference in people’s lives.
We wish the Dukes and every ASCI family the happiness and permanency they deserve!