National Adoption Month

Thousands of children are in the state’s foster care system. On Thursday, child advocates held a vigil to shed some light on the need for adoption.

On the steps of the state capitol child advocate groups read the names of children in need of a permanent home. Organizers say more than 33,000 California kids are currently in foster care waiting for adoption. Advocates say those who don’t find permanent families often fall on hard times.

The annual event is sponsored by various foster care advocates who have declared November as “National Adoption Month.” There are more than 30,000 foster kids in the state.