The Adoption Journal

Vicki's Perspective on the Journey of Adoption

Welcome,

We are pleased to share our resource for pre and post adoptive families and anyone interested in learning more about adoption. Come back often, as the content is always changing! Features of the journal include:

• Timely articles about the adoption landscape
• Highlights of recent media exposure and speaking engagements
• Stories from WHFC families about their adoption experiences

At Wide Horizons For Children, our desire is to match the overwhelming need of children for a family with the equally strong desire that so many people have to bring a child into their life through the journey of adoption. Like many others on our staff who have a personal involvement in adoption, I am an adoptive parent who knows that the work we do with families is life-changing in so many wonderful ways.

Vicki Peterson
Executive Director of External Affairs

It is reassuring for prospective parents to know that last year Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC) placed more than 600 children with wonderful families. Out of the total number of children we helped bring home to a family, 34 were born in the United States. The rest (571) of these children came to America from other countries.

There are definitely sad parts to the phenomena of adoption. In each case, a child is unable to stay with his or her family of origin. Yet, we know that most children adopted by a family in our country would have had a greatly disadvantaged life in their country of birth. Life is not pretty for children who don't have parents or for those who grow up in an institution. Many of these children would not live past early childhood; a high percentage of relinquished or abandoned children will end up malnourished or with other significant health problems. Few governments around the world make health care a priority for children. In addition, education would not be accessible for most children who don't have a family. Parents provide stability, love, and advocacy that every child in the world needs and deserves to have. Read more »