"Angels in Adoption Award Presented to Winthrop Family"

Statement

There are few things in life more touching than to see individuals give generously of themselves to improve the lives of children. There is no place where this is more evident than in homes that have opened their doors and their hearts to children who do not have a family to love and care for them.

One of the most basic needs of a child is to have a safe and loving home, with a family to cherish them and support them. Sadly, for tens of millions of children here in the United States and around the world, unfortunate circumstances have robbed them of the love, support and stability of a family. But among us are "Angels," who are eager to provide loving homes for some of these children.

Some of these "angels" live in Maine, and one Winthrop family was recently honored for their commitment to children.

Each year, Members of Congress have the privilege of recognizing members of the community who have truly made a difference in children's lives through adoption with "Angels in Adoption" awards. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I proudly nominated two of this year's recipients, Matthew and Carlyn Lenfestey, for their continued efforts on behalf of children. I recently met with the Lenfestey family in Augusta and was delighted to present Matthew and Carlyn with the "Angels in Adoption" award.

Matthew has traveled to Haiti on several missions with the non-profit organization "His Hands for Haiti." Carlyn was in Haiti on one of Matt's earlier missions. There, they witnessed a cruel reality. In a country of just nine million people, there were nearly 400,000 orphans. Unable to have children of their own, they decided to open their hearts and their home to a child. In March 2007, they met an infant boy who was living in a Haitian orphanage and began what would become an arduous adoption process. The Lenfestey's patiently endured through red tape, missing documents, and three hurricanes! But, in June 2009, they finalized the immigration requirements and adoption and brought their son, Reggie, home to Maine where they were warmly greeted by nearly 100 family members, friends, and supporters. Reggie is now a lively, healthy four-year-old who started pre-school this fall.

Recognizing that they have more love to give another child, the Lenfestey's began the process of adopting their daughter, Sasia. Through the orphanage, they were introduced to another little boy named Richard. They made the decision to adopt both children. Then, in January 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. Within days of the earthquake the Lenfesteys were able to work with their adoption agent and the orphanage to secure the necessary documents to bring the children to the U.S. With the help of my Augusta office, the Lenfesteys were able to travel back to the United States under humanitarian parole with Sasia and Richard, who are now three and three and a half years old. While it is clear that the Lenfestey family has made a difference in the lives of their three children, they will also tell you that their children have touched them in an equally remarkable manner.

Children need love, guidance, and protection. That is why it gives me great pleasure to provide such well-deserved recognition to families who are able to provide for children who otherwise might never have a home. I was pleased to be a cosponsor of the Adoption Promotion Act which was signed into law in 2003. This legislation extended and improved the Adoption Incentives Program, created as part of the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act.

The Adoption Incentives Program, which rewards states for their efforts to unite foster children with permanent, loving families, has been a great success. Since the program's inception, adoptions in our country have increased. There are, however, still thousands of children nationwide, including hundreds in Maine, in the foster care system who are eligible for adoption but are still waiting for permanent homes.

Many older children wait for years to be placed with an adoptive family, if they are adopted at all. I was therefore pleased that the Adoption Promotion Act included an incentive to encourage the adoption of older children. Older children also need a stable and loving environment so that they can grow up to be happy, healthy, and productive adults.

It is efforts such as those being made by the "Angels in Adoption" program and the Adoption Promotion Act that are raising public awareness of the ways that committed individuals can help children through adoption and foster care. And it is the example set by people like Matthew and Carlyn Lenfestey that will inspire others to think about adopting.

Source