FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Contact: Brian Cook (202) 225-3202

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) has selected Rodney Clark to receive the 2008 Angels in Adoption award, sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). This award allows Members of Congress to honor an individual from their community who enriches the lives of foster children and orphans. Rodney Clark is a resident of Fremont, California and serves as the Executive Director for Save Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE).

CCAI will honor Mr. Clark, and 180 others awardees, tonight at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Rep. Stark met with Mr. Clark as part of Mr. Clark’s trip to Washington, DC.

Each day, Rodney Clark helps provide vital services to children and families in Alameda County, with a particular focus on ending domestic violence. These services include: emergency and transitional housing, group and individual counseling, legal assistance, education and community outreach and awareness. In addition to directing SAVE for the past twelve years, Mr. Clark serves on the Board of Directors of the Alameda County Family Resource Center and the Alameda County Advisory Board. Through all these roles, Mr. Clark is dedicated to eradicating domestic violence and ensuring that children of Alameda County who have been victims of violence and neglect have a safe place to heal, grow, and thrive.

“I’m proud to honor Rodney Clark as an Angel in Adoption,” said Rep. Pete Stark. “Each day, through the work Mr. Clark does, he positively impacts the lives of foster children, orphans, and children in at-risk families. He is helping to ensure that all children in our community are kept safe, are provided the tools needed to thrive , and become healthy, educated, and productive adults. I am grateful to Rodney for his tireless effort and dedication to this vital cause.”

Rodney Clark said: “It is exciting and humbling to receive the award, with so many other individuals doing such amazing things. This experience has been humbling and inspiring, to sit besides people that care so much and have so much energy to give to these issues. It has definitely recharged me to go out and keep working.

“I am glad that Congressman Stark is committed to protecting kids and women, and addressing domestic violence. I’m pleased to know that he’s aware of the available services in our area.”

CCAI is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes. Since the program’s inception in 1999, over 1300 “Angels” have received this honor. Former recipients of the Angels in Adoption award include Victoria Rowell, award winning actress and founder of The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan, and Jars of Clay, the multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning recording artists and founders of Blood: Water Mission.

For a photo of Rep. Stark with Mr. Clark, please go to http://www.house.gov/stark/news/110th/pressreleases/2008-09/rodney_clark.jpg