From left, Tracy Buyaki, permanency coordinator; Elan Welter Lewis, Family Pathways executive director; and Maci WIlliams, placement coordinator, sit with Family Pathways' pet therapy dog, Sadee. Family Pathways is facing a shortage of foster families and hopes a Nov. 19 adoption awareness event will attract more candidates. ERIC FREEHLING/BUTLER EAGLE

Family Pathways will celebrate families who have adopted children, while at the same time inviting other families to consider fostering a child at an upcoming event.

The Butler-based agency dedicated to serving families is facing a shortage of foster families.

November has been designated National Adoption Month by the United States Children's Bureau, an agency that seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system and emphasize the value of youth engagement.

Family Pathways will hold an Adoption Awareness Recruitment event from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 19, at Belmont II Bowling Alley, 1805 N. Main St. Ext. in Center Township.

People interested in becoming a foster family who can’t attend the Nov. 19 event should call Family Pathways at 724-284-9440 and ask for Maci Williams.

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