FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) will honor the Gladney Center for Adoption as an Angel in Adoption™ at an awards ceremony on October 6 and gala on October 7 in Washington, D.C.
The Gladney Center for Adoption has been a pioneer and leading voice for improving the lives of children, adoptive families and birth parents. Gladney offers both domestic and international adoption programs, as well as maternity services, family support services and humanitarian aid to children in the United States and around the world. The Gladney Center is proud to offer lifelong post adoption services to all clients, providing the foundation to our philosophy of “Family for Life.”
As the field of adoption continues to evolve, it is Gladney’s goal to serve this mission by continually searching for opportunities to collaborate with other leaders in the field of adoption. By working together, the adoption community can create brighter tomorrows for children everywhere.
Since Gladney’s inception in 1887, Gladney has placed over 30,000 children in permanent and loving homes, and has served more than 37,000 birth parents by providing cutting edge support services and compassionate care. The Gladney Center has been aiding members of the Fort Worth community and beyond for over a century. This leadership combined with the passion to serve families and children allows Gladney to be a place where hope is born.
The Angels in Adoption™ Program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. This year, more than 150 “Angels” are being honored through the Angels in Adoption™ program.
“The Angels in Adoption™ Program is a unique annual opportunity in the nation’s Capital to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the power of adoption and the unspoken heroes who have made the dream of a family a reality for children. Since the program’s inception, over 2,200 Angels have come to Washington to share their firsthand adoption experiences with Members of Congress, highlighting its joys, as well as the barriers encountered in the process,” said Becky Weichhand, Executive Director at CCAI. “Members of Congress are then able to use their new experiential understanding of these issues to create policy improvements that better support these children and the families that open their hearts and homes to them.”
In addition to the more than 150 Angels from around the country, National Angels in Adoption™ honorees will be recognized at the gala for their dedication and commitment nationally and internationally to child welfare on a grand scale. This year’s National Angels in Adoption™ honoree is singer Rachel Crow. Former National Angels include Korie and Willie Robertson, Deborra-Lee Furness Jackman, First Lady Laura Bush, Patti LaBelle, Jane Seymour, Muhammad Ali, the late Dave Thomas, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bruce Willis, Alonzo Mourning, Rhea Perlman and Kristin Chenoweth.
CCAI is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption.
CCAI was created in 2001 by the active co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, one of Congress’ premiere caucuses. The goal of the caucus is to eliminate policy barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family and more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about adoption.
The Angels in Adoption™ Program was established in 1999 as a Congressional press conference to honor outstanding individuals. Since then, the program has developed into a yearlong public awareness campaign, culminating in an extraordinary awards gala and celebration in Washington, D.C.
CCAI does not receive any government funding and relies on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish this mission. For more information, visit www.ccainstitute.org or www.angelsinadoption.org.
