Gladney Center for Adoption to Be Recognized as an Angel in Adoption™ at National Event in Washington, D.C.

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.

Contacts

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Allison Coble,
202-544-8500
Senior Director of Programs
allison@ccainstitute.org