In the last two years, the number of children awaiting adoption in Colorado has dropped from 800 to 365 thanks in large part to a unique initiative called Wait No More. Spearheaded by Focus on the Family, in partnership with state and local government authorities, the events do more than just raise awareness about the needs of foster kids  they invite action.

"Prospective parents can hear about the challenges and rewards of adoption and then  if they choose  begin the long adoption process at 'Wait No More' events. Focus held such an event in Colorado Springs in November 2008. At one in October in Loveland, 50 families took the first steps to adopt children." [Source: The Denver Post]

The next event is scheduled for September and will be held in Denver, which currently has over 100 kids waiting to be adopted. Focus has begun taking "Wait No More" outside of Colorado, scheduling events in St. Louis, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale.

Labels: adopted children, families, awareness

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When Tom and Debra Ritter married in 1995, they created a family that included three children from previous marriages. Fourteen years and 22 adoptions later, that family  and the Ritters dedication to each other and their children  has grown in remarkable ways.

An Oct. 17 article by Amy Bertrand of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provided the following glimpse into the life of this unique family:

Many of [the adopted children] have special needs, some have had life-threatening illnesses. All of the adopted kids, ages 7 to 26, still live at home.

Most of the kids head to the one-room schoolhouse on the farm where they'll stay until early afternoon; Mom and some of the older kids teach. Others go with Dad to work in the restaurant at the bed and breakfast they own in nearby Vandalia, Mo. Sometimes, the older sons will work in construction. Money from all of their endeavors goes into the family pot. &

Marcia Jones, a former adoptions specialist for the state of Missouri, helped the Ritters with many of their adoptions. "What impressed me most about them is they said, 'Give me the kids that nobody wants,' and that usually meant teenagers."

Labels: families, adoptees

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Once every four years, they gather at the base of Mt. Hood in the small town of Welches, Oregon, for a family reunion. But this group of 245 people from 71 families isn't related by blood; rather, they've all adopted children from the Yangchun Orphanage in China.

"The first adoptions from the Yangchun Orphanage took place in 1995. The orphanage has since undergone some changes. When [Kelly] Kneeland went to pick up [her daughter] Grace in 2001, there were about 120 babies and only 12 caregivers... Today, the orphanage has about one caregiver for every four babies."

At the reunion, the children are given matching T-shirts and enjoy games, crafts, and other activities. Parents can attend adoption- and culture-related classes. The group is hoping to hold it's 2012 reunion in the place where it all started - the Yangchun Orphanage. Source: PNW Local News

Labels: families, cultures, reunions

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On Saturday, April 5, the Monmouth/Ocean County Adoptive Families Support Group held its second annual adoption expo. The event drew a sizable crowd as adoptive families from around the county met and shared stories.

"Heather Malvica, 33, of Matawan said she adopted her 3-year-old daughter, Kate, from China. She also has a biological 18-month-old son, Michael, with her husband, Rich... 'We had decided to adopt, and my heart was drawn to China. So I started the process in October 2004...'"

She and her husband were matched with Kate in February 2006, when Kate was 15 months old. The Malvicas, and other families at the expo, are strong advocates for international adoption. Source: APP.com.

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Labels: families, awareness, support

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When Josh and Kaleb first came to the Eilers family, they were quite and suspicious. But now they realize that they're a permanent part of the family and they've begun to come out of their shells.

"Their parents are Rich and Tracy Eilers. The couple doesn't claim to be experts, but they've learned a lot about adopting teenagers. 'Things we take for granted. Standing around making brownies in the kitchen,' Tracy said. 'It really is the simple things. It's not the fancy things, it's not the money, it's not the going and spending. It's just the doing, and going together.'"

Rich and Tracy admit that there are unique challenges associated with adopting teenagers. There are "gaps" that need filling. But over time, they're being filled, and Josh and Kaleb are enjoying their forever family.

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Labels: families, teens, advice

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Pat Locke and Ian Miller have been married for about ten years. During that time, their decisions have largely revolved around themselves. But now, on the eve of their adoption of two girls from Kyrgyzstan, they realize the focus of their decisions will have to change.

"In the new year, the couple, who live in Hudson [Massachusetts], must decide whether to relocate, where to send their new daughters to school, and how to juggle work and child care, to name just a few items on their to-decide list."

Though the decisions will be difficult, Locke and Miller are eager to start this new chapter of their lives. Miller has admitted that he's also eager to get past the first few months, which he knows will be the hardest for the girls.

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Labels: families, parenting, relationships

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In a typical open adoption, birth parents have some contact with the adoptive family. In the case of Ann Belove, she knew the birth mother long before she decided to adopt.

"'Robert's birth mother and I knew each other and were friends before he was adopted... We keep in very close contact. We still after nine years speak very regularly.'"

Robert's younger brother, Carter, has more typical open adoption. He knows who his mother and grandparents are, and the grandparents are somewhat involved in his life. The Beloves chose open adoption because they felt their children had a right to know where they came from. The Beloves also wanted their children to have access to medical records. Read more at Petaluma360.com.

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Labels: open_adoption, families, optons

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The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recently named Wayne Farms LLC in its top-10 list of Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in the food, beverage and restaurant industry. The company is located in Oakwood, Georgia and employs over 9500 people in 13 facilities in the South and Southeastern parts of the United States.

"The Wayne Farms adoption program offers employee reimbursements up to $5,000 for a nonspecial-needs child or $6,000 for a special-needs child."

The reimbursement can be used for nearly any legitimate cost associated with an adoption. Paid time off is also included as part of the company's employee adoption program.

Read more at LeaderCall.com.

Labels: adoption_costs, families, employers

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