Tom and Linda Lukasik To Be Recognized as an Angel in Adoption™ at National Event in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – September 16, 2013 – The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) will honor Tom and Linda Lukasik as Angels in Adoption™ at an awards ceremony on October 8 and gala on October 9 in Washington, D.C.

 The Lukasik’s are being honored for devoting their lives to serving Florida’s at risk children since the early 1990’s. Personally, they have welcomed into their home more than 50 vulnerable children. Their advocacy and passion to make a difference in the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children has changed not only the lives of the children they have touched, but the landscape of how Florida addresses the needs of these wounded and hurting children. Gripped by their passion to make a difference, Linda attained her Master’s Degree in Social Work while serving as a house-parent, she is also a certified Infant Mental Health Specialist and is trained in Trust Based Relational Intervention through TCU. Since 1996 Linda has served in a leadership capacity in a variety of roles. In 2007 Linda became the Director of a unique program – His Caring Place, which has assisted several hundred single teens and young women and their babies. Through mentoring and discipleship, His Caring Place has shaped the lives of young women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, broken the cycle of abuse and dependency, and has helped to prevent children from entering the foster care system. Tom has been serving foster youth in a leadership role since 1996 and volunteered five years as a Guardian Ad Litem. Tom has served in leadership at 4KIDS of South Florida since 2000, and includes 4KIDS facilitation of the adoption of 400 children. He has served on the inaugural Board for the Heart Gallery of Broward County, spoken throughout the state of Florida, the country and the White House on creating partnerships between the Church and State to care for foster children, and was appointed by Florida’s Governor as the Chairman of the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council. Both humble and selfless, Tom and Linda Lukasik live their lives in service to the modern day orphan.

 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. Each year, more than 140 Angels are honored through the Angels in Adoption™  program.

 “The Angels in Adoption™ program is unlike any other program in the Nation’s Capital. Because of it, over 2000 “Angels” have come to share with Washington their adoption experience and left with a renewed excitement of all that adoption makes possible,” said Kathleen Strottman. “I learned one simple lesson from my time on Capitol Hill, knowledge is power. Angels in Adoption™ is meant to give Members of Congress the knowledge they need to use the power they have toward making the dream of a family a reality for every child.”

 In addition to the more than 140 Angels from around the country, several “National Angels” will be recognized at the gala for their dedication and commitment nationally and internationally to child-welfare on a grand scale. This year’s honorees are Korie and Willie Robertson of the popular A&E reality show Duck Dynasty and internationally acclaimed actress, director and producer Deborra-Lee Furness Jackman. Former National Angels include 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.

 The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (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’s goal is the elimination of the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

 CCAI was created in 2001 by the co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) to more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about the issue of 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 they rely on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish their mission. For more information, visit www.ccainstitute.org and www.angelsinadoption.org.

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