Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) congratulated Michael and Susan Farver of Plantation, Florida on receiving the 2014 Angels in Adoption Award. Hastings nominated the Farver’s for the award given by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption™ Program:
“I was truly honored to nominate Michael and Susan Farver for the 2014 Angels in Adoption Award. They have worked to pave the way for relative caregivers to be able to put the welfare of the child first,” said Hastings. “Furthermore, the Farver’s continue to dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, especially at-risk and neglected children in poverty. They spent over $200,000 in a two-year struggle fighting their way through the foster care and dependency courts of Florida to protect, save, and finally adopt their own grand-daughter, which must be commended.
“As a member of the Congressional Foster Youth Caucus, I am committed to the safety, well-being, and outcomes of these children. Too often, children who linger in foster care and the youths who age out of the child welfare system are burdened with the implication that they are damaged. While these young people have indeed been on the receiving end of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, they are survivors with their need to be loved and accepted.
“The Angels in Adoption Award is a great way to recognize ‘Angels’ from all over the nation who have selflessly committed themselves to helping children in need find a loving family.”
MICHAEL AND SUSAN FARVER/ANGELS IN ADOPTION AWARD: Taking the lessons from their own experience, Michael and Susan Farver have fought to better the lives of others facing similar daunting and seemingly overwhelming challenges. Collectively, the two have spent nearly a decade fighting to make the adoption and foster care systems more responsive to the needs of children. In July of 2009, Susan founded Kids Have Rights, Inc, a nonprofit organization that advocates and supports programs, services, legislation, foster care and dependence initiatives that ensure the right to a safe and nurturing childhood. She also serves as an advisor to the Kinship Initiative Council, which is a partnership between various Broward County health systems and Legal Aid that assists families living in kinship settings. Michael serves as President of the Board of Directors of Florida Impact, a leading legislative public policy advocacy organization in the state. In his role he has coordinated over 150 public, private, and faith-based organizations in the Florida Partnership to End Childhood Hunger to provide millions of meals to the children of Florida over the past 6 years. Furthermore, he is the founder and President of End Childhood Hunger, a nonprofit advocacy organization formulating childhood hunger solutions, and serves on the Board of Directors of Women in Distress of Broward County and the South Florida Hunger Coalition.
The couple was among 123 Angels in Adoption that were recognized by CCAI. This program honors those that have made extraordinary contributions on behalf of children who are in need of families and a loving and supporting home environment. These Angels are true heroes – individuals, couples, and organizations – hailing from all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, who traveled to Washington, DC this week to participate in training events, legislative seminars, advocacy fairs, and a culminating Gala celebrating their achievements in raising awareness to the adoption and foster process.
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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