Adopting Angels

Prolife people recognized for dedication, service

Article
Two lives dedicated to sharing love were recognized by the United States Congress in November for their service in the area of adoption. On November 1, 2004, Jim and Sandy Blouw were awarded a 2004 Congressional Angels in Adoption Award TM at Bethany Christian Services. Jim and Sandy were selected for the award by prolife Congressman Vern Ehlers. Every year, an organization called the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) allows members of the U.S. Congress to “recognize those individuals who have made a difference in the lives of orphans and foster children.”

During a 20 year period, Jim, who works in support services at Right to Life of Michigan, and Sandy have adopted 12 children and have been the foster parents of 52 children. After being married in 1982, the Blouws soon adopted 10 older, special-needs children, many of whom were teenagers or siblings who were placed together. The Blouws are extremely pleased to have been able to see their children become blessed and capable adults and parents. Jim and Sandy’s children have broken the cycles of abuse and neglect with their own children. Learning a nurturing environment from Jim and Sandy was the influence needed for those adopted to make life-changing, positive choices.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “Jim and Sandy are shining examples of the love prolife people show towards all those in need.”

Even though there have been challenges along the road, Sandy says that, “God has hand picked every child that has been placed in our home.”

The Blouws have also been a great blessing to the foster and adoptive family community in Michigan. Sandy has been a foster parent trainer for several years and participated in Bethany Christian Services Foster Care Advisory Board for 10 years. Jim and Sandy have also mentored new foster families and been involved in events, like summer camps and planned family events, that support adopted children and their families. In 2002, they were recognized as the “Foster Parents of the Year” in Michigan.

The Blouws were one of 5 families/organizations from the state of Michigan that received an Angels in Adoption Award. The others were adoptive parents James and Carol Brake, a child advocacy organization called Hear My Voice, adoptive parents John and Colleen Moriarty who have helped build playgrounds at Russian orphanages, and Brenda Romanchik who is the Director of Insight, an organization that provides those involved in adoption and the general public with information about adoption.