Angels in Adoption Program

 

Each year, Rep. Mica joins with many other colleagues in the Congress to nominate individuals or groups to be honored for their work with children and families.  These candidates are selected to part of the annual Congressional Angels in Adoption Awards Celebration and are recognized for their work within their respective communities.
 
The following is a list of awardees from the Seventh Congressional District and the citations from each award:
 
Gary Bruce - 2004 Honoree
 
As Executive Director and co-founder of Project Special Care, Gary Bruce devotes his professional and personal life to the continuing challenge of striving to provide a measure of stability, safety and permanency for children in crisis, particularly those at-risk of abuse and neglect. His goal is to ensure that each child is sufficiently nurtured so they may reach their full potential. Working with state and local government to develop a community based system of emergency shelters, foster care and adoption services, Mr. Bruce engages a broad range of organizations in public-private partnerships. In turn, this forms a base of resources and information to address the needs of at-risk children.
 
Through his leadership position at Project Special Care, he initiates creative solutions and innovative programs of advocacy and awareness, as well as providing recruitment, training, education and continuing support of foster care and adoptive parents. His works specifically includes special needs children who face physical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges.
 
As a volunteer, Mr. Bruce serves as Chairman of the St. Johns Children’s Commission; Chairman of the Salvation Army Food Bank; a member of the School Readiness Coalition and a member of the St. Johns Foster Care Advisory Board. He is also a founding member of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Johns County.
 
Mr. Bruce provides our community with vision and leadership that is critical to the development and implementation of a creative system of care and protection for foster and adoptive children. His approach is to include all children in planning for those solutions that can best meet the needs of our next generation. Accordingly, he merits recognition for his outstanding efforts on behalf of our community and our kids.
 
Susana Huaman Dragosavac - 2003 Honoree
 
For many years, Susana Huaman Dragosavac has shown a true dedication to the adoptive process.  She was originally drawn into children's services while working in Thailand in 1996.  Susana and her husband, Irving, had volunteered on several occasions to help those in need, and on one particular trip went to a Thai orphanage.  Susana's heart was touched by the children's pleas for help, and this event had a deep and profound impact on her life.  Since, Susana has dedicated her life to children in need.  She has given hundreds of adoptive parents the opportunities they so desire, and hundreds of children a safe and secure home in which to flourish. 
 
She currently works with Florida Home Studies and Adoption, Inc. as the the International Programs Coordinator, specializing in Guatemala and Thailand.  As an adoptive mom herself, Susana finds no greater pleasure than helping adoptive families create forever families.  She has a true heart for children worldwide, as shown in a devotion to her work.  You will always find Susana pursuing and promoting the ideals of adoption, whether by initiating a clothes drive or gathering donations to send to orphanges.
 
For additional information on this program please visit the Congressional Angels in Adoption website.