The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption™ Program provides Members of Congress the opportunity to honor an individual or entity from their district that has made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes.

These heroes hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and represent the wide spectrum of individuals involved in the adoption and foster care process. Since the program’s inception, over 1400 Angels have received this honor. CCAI also honors a select number of National Angels in Adoption™. As the name implies, these are individuals whose contributions in the fields of adoption or foster care have had a national impact. Past recipients of this award include First Lady Laura Bush, Bruce Willis, Muhammad Ali, Patti LaBelle, Jane Seymour, Henry Winkler, and CBS Studios.

In addition to giving Members of Congress a firsthand look at the foster care and adoption related work taking place throughout the country, the Angels in Adoption™ program seeks to draw global attention to the positive difference adoption makes in the life of a child. Last year’s event alone resulted in 124 human interest stories being published in newspapers throughout the nation. These stories serve as inspiration for others to step forward to consider fostering or adopting.

Once selected, Angels in Adoption™ travel to Washington D.C. to participate in three days of events all designed to train them in using their personal experience to affect change on behalf of children in need of homes and to celebrate their hard work and dedication to the issue.