Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 12-16-16 Online Edition

Holiday Feature
Adoptions Finalized, Girls Become ‘A Family’ For Christmas
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Ms. Janiece Golden is a strong believer in the fact that every child needs stability and structure in their lives. And, she doesn’t mind going out of her way or making the sacri- fices to make sure the child receives both stability and structure.
And in return, she offers uncondi- tional love. She believes in instilling morals, standards, and responsibility in children. She expects good grades and good behavior at school, as well as at home.
After her son, Michael Wiggs, became an adult, married and moved away, she became a foster parent.
She took several children into her home. But, in 2013, she met Ja’Nae, a four-year-old, who had been bounced around in the system for more than 3 years.
“I took her because there was a need. She needed a home and she didn’t have a family who could take her. Her adoption was finalized in July 2015,” Ms. Golden said.
Ms. Janiece Golden is shown with her daughters, Ja’Nae, Octavia, and Ma- hogany at the adoption ceremony last month.
And on December 25th, the sisters will share their first Christmas and the daughters of Ms. Golden and as a family.
A Tampa native, Ms. Golden, 58, graduated from Chamberlain High School. She continued her edu- cation at Hillsborough Community College, where she earned an A. A. Degree in Child Care Center Manage- ment.
She continued her education and earned a B. S. Degree in Human Services and a B. A. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Spring- field College. Her Master’s Degree in Organization, Leadership And Man- agement was bestowed upon her from Ashford University. She is also a veteran employee of the Hillsbor- ough County Board of Commission- ers Head Start Program.
She said the girls have adjusted and are doing well at school.
Ms. Golden is an active member of Beta Sigma Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and enjoys visiting the spa and working with her sorority.
In 2015, a family member’s four children became wards of the state. Ms. Golden took the two girls, Oc- tavia, age 6, and 3-year-old Ma- hogany. Her son and his wife accepted the two brothers into their home.
Last month, Octavia and Ma- hogany became Ja’Nae’s the younger adopted sisters.
Ms. Golden keeps them active in gymnastics, ballet, tap, and Hip Hop dance. The family worships at Grace Family Church.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B