Throughout the month of November, local adoption agencies are working to spread the word about National Adoption Awareness Month.

Friends in Adoption is a Capital Region-based non-profit that helps guide families through the adoption process throughout the entire country. Friends in Adoption helps both birth mothers and fathers, as well as families that are looking to adopt.

A number of families that have adopted through the agency are sharing their stories through a new video campaign, to provide helpful information to others who are looking to complete the journey.

"When we started our process, seeing other people talk about adoption and really helped us make our decision and it’s the best decision we ever made," said Katherine, a Clifton Park woman who adopted a son with her husband, Ron, earlier this year.

"It’s a beautiful process, adoption, and it needs to be opened up in a positive light," said Colby, a Ballston Spa man whose daughter was adopted nine months ago.

Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill to expand the rights of adopted children.

Friends in Adoption specializes in open adoptions, where adoptive families are open to maintaining a relationship with the birth parents.