Angels in Adoption^® Award presented to Cynthia Lapidus for Outstanding Advocacy Work

Cynthia Lapidus, an adoption advocate with over 30 years of experience, has been selected by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute as one of New Jersey’s Angels in Adoption Honorees. In her current role as Warm Line and Training Specialist for the NJ Adoption Resource Clearing House (NJ ARCH) and Kinship Care Clearing House (KinKonnect), programs of Children’s Aid and Family Services, she shares her extensive knowledge of adoption information and resources with compassion and empathy to those who contact the program with questions and concerns.

“I have always been interested in adoption,” says Cindy. “Although I was not adopted myself, at a young age I was always drawn to the stories of children that did not have families of their own. I wanted to help them to know the love and connection of being part of a family.” After becoming a social worker and helping hundreds of children find loving homes, she joined Children’s Aid and Family Services’ NJ ARCH program in 2017 as a warm line and training specialist. She also teaches adoption-focused parent workshops.

Personal Connection to Adoption

Cynthia’s passion for adoption reaches into her family life as a mother of three, including a son she and her husband adopted from South Korea in 2004. “Early in my career we didn’t know about the impact of loss and trauma on children who were adopted,” she says. “Now that we do, we can offer assistance to families. Adoption is a lifelong process and parenting is tough. We’ve learned helping parents find support and resources even years after they finalize their child’s adoption is essential.”

The Angels in Adoption Program is coordinated by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and is their signature public awareness event, providing an annual opportunity for all members of Congress to learn about and recognize the work of the advocates receiving this honor. Cindy received her award at the Angels in Adoption Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, where with her fellow advocates, she participated in sessions with CCAI, child welfare experts and others, then met with congressional members and their staffs, speaking with them about the needs of the adoption community. Cynthia received her honor and award in NJ Senator Corey Booker’s office and gathered later for a cocktail reception with the rest of the Angels in Adoption recipients.

Children’s Aid and Family Services has been named an Angel in Adoption and also has a legacy of recipients. Several leaders from the agency, including Rose Zeltser, Kathleen Russo, Barbara Rall, Marcia Fisher and Dana Fried have also received this honor.

“This award means a lot,” says Cynthia. “It’s so rewarding seeing families formed through adoption, to see children feel loved and connected. And on top of that it’s so important to help families realize that through our services they can pick up the phone and know that there is always somebody on the other line that understands.”

If you have any adoption-related questions or need resources, please call NJ ARCH at 877-427-2465.