Susan Badeau (Sue) writes and speaks extensively on topics related to children, particularly those with special needs and is a frequent and passionate keynote speaker and workshop leader at state, regional and national conferences. Sue and her husband, Hector, are the lifetime parents of twenty-two children, two by birth and twenty adopted (three, with terminal illnesses, are now deceased). They have also served as foster parents for more than 50 children in three states, and as a host family for refugee youth from Sudan, Kosovo and Guatemala. Recently, their 35th grandchild and fourth great-grandchild were born. They have won numerous awards for their work, including being recognized by President Clinton with an “Adoption Excellence” award, and receiving an “Angels in Adoption” award from Congress – both of these awards were for their work on behalf of adoption and children in foster care.
The Badeau family children come from many ethnicities and personal backgrounds. Some children were adopted at birth; others were teenagers when they joined the family. Some are from the United States; others are from countries around the world. Some have mental, physical, intellectual, or emotional challenges.
Active in Summit Presbyterian church, Sue and Hector have always found the motivation, strength and guidance for their life and work in their faith, particularly in Matthew 18:5-6, James 1:27, and Luke 18: 6-7. In addition to their own children, Hector and Sue have served as surrogate parents for countless neighborhood and church children. Hector was recently named one of West Mt. Airy (Philadelphia) Neighbor's 50 Good Neighbors because of his charitable work in the community and with the youth of the community.
For more information about the Badeau family, visit www.badeaufamily.com
