ST. PAUL, Minn. October 9, 2007 - Children’s Home Society & Family Services is proud to announce that Board member Hyun Sook Han, has been named an Angel in Adoption™ by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Nominated by U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, Mrs. Han was recognized for her nearly 28 years of service to adoptive families in Minnesota and has dedicated over 40 years to enriching the lives of orphans. She was the catalyst in the placement of 13,000 Korean children with loving adoptive families. In addition, she has been a pioneer in providing post-adoption services to adopted children.

“Hyun Sook Han has touched the hearts of thousands of Minnesotan and American families that were built through her efforts,” says Madonna King, president and CEO of Children’s Home Society & Family Services.” Even in retirement, Mrs. Han still works to improve social work in India and other countries in her work with CHSFS’ Board of Directors. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Angel in Adoption^TM  Award is a fitting tribute to her life’s work of tireless commitment to children.”

In 1964, Mrs. Han began her career in Korea’s evolving child-welfare field by supporting children and birth mothers. At that time, more than half of Korea’s abandoned infants died from dehydration and malnutrition.  Mrs. Han was instrumental in establishing Korea’s first foster care program, which served children of multi-racial descent and those living in impoverished areas of Seoul.  Through her efforts, hundreds of foster care homes were established and deaths attributed to malnutrition and illnesses in these homes were practically none.  She also pioneered counseling for birth mothers experiencing loss and grief while making adoption plans for their children.

Always an outspoken advocate for adoption, Mrs. Han’s efforts led to the Republic of Korea’s In-Country Adoption Law, which directed all Korean child-welfare agencies to develop domestic adoption programs.  She also tirelessly raised funds to support adoption and child-welfare services.  Again, the Korean government took notice and began its own funding of such programs.

Fortunately for the people of Minnesota, Mrs. Han’s quest for knowledge brought her to St. Paul in 1971. She wanted to learn why so many Minnesotans adopted children.  Her family soon emigrated and permanently settled in the Twin Cities.  In 1975, she began working at Children’s Home Society & Family Services (then named Children’s Home Society of Minnesota) to expand Korean adoption.  With her close ties to the Korean social service network, CHSFS was able to form direct working relationships with Korean child welfare agencies and the Korean government.  At her urging, hundreds of Korean social work professionals and government officials have visited Minnesota to learn about international adoption practice and its impact on children.

For her pioneering adoption work and service to children, Mrs. Han has received numerous awards, including:

• 1987 Medal of Service by the Republic of Korea
• May 7, 1989 proclaimed “Mrs. Hyun Sook Han Day” by Minnesota Governor Perpich
• 1991 Social Worker of the Year Service Award from the Child Welfare League of America
• 2002 Lifetime Achievement Tribute from the Korean American Adoptees Network,
• April 29, 2004 proclaimed “Mrs. Hyun Sook Han Day” by Minnesota Governor Pawlenty
• 2004 The Order of Civil Merit Dongbaek Medal from the Republic of Korea

Though recently retired, Mrs. Han continues to build upon her legacy of innovation in her field of social work and steadfast commitment to the welfare of children, birth mothers and adoptive parents through her work as a CHSFS Board Director and various activities here and overseas to assure that the life of every child is cherished. Hyun Sook Han currently resides in Roseville, Minnesota.