12.05.13

Hoeven Honors Sharon Maier for Adoption Work

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today held a ceremony to recognize Sharon Maier as an Angel in Adoption and commend her for her extraordinary commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children. Hoeven selected Maier from an inspiring pool of nominees for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Award which seeks to honor individuals, couples and organizations from across the country who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advocating on behalf of foster and adopted children.

“Sharon has devoted her life to advocating on behalf of North Dakota’s adoptive children and families, and her efforts have left an indelible impact on hundreds of families who have benefited directly from her dedication, knowledge and loving heart,” said Hoeven. “Sharon’s good work reflects the core values of our state, and she is truly an Angel in Adoption.”

Maier has worked as an adoption professional since graduating from Concordia College with a degree in social work. For 30 years, she worked for North Dakota’s three major licensed child placing agencies: Lutheran Social Services, the Village Family Service Center and Catholic Charities. During her tenure with these agencies, Maier worked to protect children, counsel birth families and build caring homes for children. She is credited with helping build hundreds of permanent homes for children, and her colleagues say she possesses a special gift for completing family assessments, creating strong relationships and finding families for children.

Maier, who currently resides in Moorhead, Minn., officially retired as the Director of Adoption at Catholic Charities North Dakota in January. She is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren.

The Angels in Adoption program is the signature public awareness campaign of the CCAI. It provides an opportunity for all Members of Congress to honor the good work of individuals working in their home states to enrich the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad.

Maier is among more than 150 local and national “angels” from around the United States to be recognized by the CCAI this year. The organization held a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in October to honor this year’s nominees.