Alabama

Adoptions increase in Alabama in 2023

Published

5 months ago

November 28, 2023

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – 741 children in Alabama found their forever homes in 2023.

“For every child that is adopted is amazing, so to have over 700 children placed for adoption this past fiscal year is a great cause for celebration,” said Michelle Bearman-Wolnek, co-founder and executive director of Heart Gallery Alabama.

Bearman-Wolnek says adoptions were put on hold during the pandemic.

During those years, courts were closed so families couldn’t finalize custody cases. Right now, there are about 6,000 kids currently in the foster care system.

“We prefer for most of our kids to be able to go back to their biological families or to their family of origin but if not, I’m thankful that they have found permanency and that’s what Heart Gallery does,” said Bearman-Wolnek.

69% of children return to their family members or parents.

To become a parent to a foster child, parents have to receive a 10-week, 30-hour training plus a home and safety study.

Click here to learn more about the Heart Gallery Alabama.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Source link

Related Topics:adoption Alabama Featured

Click to comment

Alabama

Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe drafted by Los Angeles Chargers in 4th round

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe drafted by Los Angeles Chargers in 4th round

Justin Eboigbe hit another “personal milestone” on Saturday afternoon. Nearly two years after he thought his football career was over, the former Alabama defensive lineman received a call that changed his life.

Eboigbe is headed to the NFL after being drafted 105th overall in the 2024 draft. The Los Angeles Chargers made Eboigbe, a bruising defensive lineman, the fifth pick in the fourth round. Eboigbe is the seventh Alabama player to go overall and the first on Day 3 of the draft.

“Every play, every practice, every time we work out we should be grateful for that because you never know when the opportunity is going to cease,” Eboigbe said a year ago as he worked his way back from a season-ending neck injury. “Just taking every day as a day in getting better whether it be in the weight room, on the field, in the meeting room watching film or learning new stuff. Just take advantage of the day that’s given because honestly, I would never thought that that would happen to me back in September (of 2022) but it is what it is and it’s about making the days count.”

Eboigbe, a four-star who played high school ball in Forest Park, Georgia, appeared in 56 career games for Alabama. He was a part of 122 tackles, his career-best coming last fall (63) with seven sacks. Eboigbe snagged a tipped Stetson Bennett IV pass in 2020 for his lone career interception. He also produced two fumble recoveries.

Nick Saban, who worked the first two nights of the draft as an analyst, helped 20 defensive linemen get selected through his 17-year run in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks

Round 1

7. JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
17. Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings
24. Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions

Round 2

41. Kool-Aid McKinstry, New Orleans Saints
57. Chris Braswell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 3

80. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals

Round 4

105. Justin Eboigbe, Los Angeles Chargers

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.

Source link

Alabama

Alabama WR Jermaine Burton Explodes Into Bengals Huddle During Third Round Of NFL Draft

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Alabama WR Jermaine Burton Explodes Into Bengals Huddle During Third Round Of NFL Draft

Pick: (Round three, 80^th overall)

Name: WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama, 6-0, 194

DOB and Hometown: 6/28/01; Calabasas, CA

College career stats (from College Football Reference:) 50 games, 132 catches, 2,376 yards, 18.0 yards per catch, 23 touchdowns

Bengals Reaction: “He’ll fit great (with Chase and Higgins),” said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. “He’s explosive. Our job now is how do we mix and match those skill sets, but what he brings to the table with regard to the threat he’s going to pose to the defense and how they’re going to have to respect all three of those players and the explosiveness they bring – we’ll figure that part out. But he’ll take care of the hard part which is separating from defenders and catching the football.”

Player Reaction: “It’s just honestly a truly blessed moment,” said Burton. “I thank God and I’m ready to work. They made the right decision.”

Draftnick Takes: “My sense is he is an ascending player who will get better in the NFL and become a weapon, especially at the intermediate and vertical levels. Burton will not be the kind of receiver that is the foundation of an NFL passing game, but his speed and vertical ability are always in demand.” – Greg Cosell, NFL Films.

Source link

Alabama

Alabama WR Jermaine Burton taken by Bengals, picked 80th overall in NFL Draft

Published

20 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Press Room

Alabama WR Jermaine Burton taken by Bengals, picked 80th overall in NFL Draft

Jermaine Burton will be a Bengal. Cincinnati made Burton the 80th overall pick and the 16th selection of the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Burton was Alabama’s first skill position player selected. Two of his former teammates went earlier in the evening: Kool-Aid McKinstry (41st overall to New Orleans) and Chris Braswell (57th to Tampa Bay). Burton transferred to UA ahead of the 2022 season and was the Tide’s top receiving option. Now, he becomes a target in Joe Burrow’s offense.

He scored eight times in two seasons with Georgia, including a 57-yard touchdown in the 2021 Rose Bowl against Michigan. In 26 games with UA, Burton made 79 catches for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished his career with two Southeastern Conference championships and was a constant deep-ball threat.

Burton averaged more than 20 yards per touch and his big-play ability was never more apparent than last October at Texas A&M. He exploded for 197 yards and two touchdowns as Jalen Milroe developed. After a strong combine showing, Burton was the 12th pass-catcher selected.

“I really, really like this guy. The No. 1 thing he needs to do, and I think emotional maturity is the best way to say it, is do the right things all the time. He does the right things on the field. He knows the importance of what he has to do on the field. He wants to be a player that’s all he thinks about,” his former coach Nick Saban said on ESPN’s live broadcast analysis.

In 2022, Burton was part of a controversy when he and a fan scuffled during a field storming in Knoxville. (He was never punished by the team or the conference.) Burton is the first UA wide receiver to be selected since Jameson Williams and John Metchie went in the first- and second-rounds, respectively, in the 2022 draft.

Last month, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade, per ESPN. Needing a dynamic downfield threat, Cincinnati opted for another SEC standout.