Mark and Denise Marchu

Angels in Adoption 2005 - California

Selected by Representative Zoe Lofgren

Denise and Mark Marchu have been married 30 years and have five biological grown children and three young adopted children. Their three adopted children are all medically fragile special needs children. The adopted children all struggle with severe emotional, learning, and physical disabilites. Currently, six children ages 2 to 25 live at home with them, including an adult child with Down syndrome and their 2-year old nephew (as a result of dependency court). Denise works 30 hours per week as the Foster Parent Resource Family Advocate for SCC with the Department of Family and Children's Services. Since January 2005, she has worked with the "Safely Surrendered Babies" program, which involves developing a curriculum for other parents and families to use. Denise also serves on the Advisory Committee at the Chancellor's Office in Sacramento (Foster and Adoptive Homes). She has been on the SCC Child Abuse Council Interagency Collaborative Committee since January 2005. Previously, she was President of the SCC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association for 5 years. The over arching and continual passion for the Marchu family is to advocate for foster and adoptive children at all levels of government (local, state, and national level). Denise and Mark have touched the lives of hundreds of children through their community advocacy efforts. This family is the finest example of "unsung" heroes who serve as the voices of the unheard and the faces of the unseen.

Learn more
http://www.omnitrace.com/birth-family.html