On The Horizon - The latest news & information from Wide Horizons For Children
April 2005

In this issue...

Program News - Families Needed

Waiting Children
- Website resource offers profiles of waiting children
- Read about 4.5 year old JT from the Philippines

Humanitarian Aid & Fundraising News
- Celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day
- Participate in Child Sponsorship
- 2005 Gala Auction

Learn More About Adoption Options
- Program Introduction Meetings
- Adoptive Education Articles
- Travel Articles
- Family Stories

Quick Adoption Process Poll

Calendar of Events
- Register for our May seminar, "Your Child's Medical History"
- Help us improve our cultural events
- View a complete list of events

In response to your request, we offer this e—newsletter to provide information on recent updates and changes in the world of adoption.

Whether you are currently researching adoption, in the process of considering various program options or have already adopted, we hope you will find this information helpful.

WHFC logo

Program News - Families Needed

CHINA Fast-moving referral process averaging 6 months. Contact Linda Lin or Joy Mazzolla: china@whfc.org

ETHIOPIA Since October '03, over 60 children have come home. Very fast moving process! Children of all ages available. Many young toddlers waiting for their forever families. Contact Almaz Asresahin or Kristen Mallory: ethiopia@whfc.org

RUSSIA Fast-moving referral process averaging less than 6 months. Many young boys waiting for their forever families. Contact Vica Nikitina, Eugenia Bevz, or Masha Korsunsky: russia@whfc.org

UKRAINE Program offers flexible applicant requirements. Seeking families open to toddlers of either gender. Most applicants make one trip of 3-4 weeks. Contact Erica Pelaccia: ukraine@whfc.org

USA We have a great need for families open to adopting black and bi-racial infants. Contact Cathy Duggan: usa@whfc.org

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Other Program News

COLOMBIA New applications will be wait listed for infants, but families still needed for older and waiting children and sibling groups. Contact Marta Velez: colombia@whfc.org

GUATEMALA Referral process of 4-6 months. Adoption process takes 4-7 months. Children remain in excellent care. Contact Mary Morales or Marta Velez: guatemala@whfc.org

INDIA Recent changes in child welfare within India have lengthened waiting times for referral of children to families living outside of India. Families are still needed for children of all ages. Contact Homai Schmidt or Eileen Minnucci: india@whfc.org

KOREA Referrals in 7-12 months. Contact Betsey Barrett or Eileen Minnucci: korea@whfc.org

PHILIPPINES Great option for single parents who are open to children age 4 and up. Contact Mary Lou Eshelman: philippines@whfc.org

RUSSIA SUMMER HOST PROGRAM Open your home to an orphan during the summer. Families from CT, MA, RI or NH needed for children 7-14 years of age. The summer 2006 application deadline is January 2006. Contact Debbie Mansfield dmansfield@whfc.org

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Quick Links

Adoption Options

Building Single-Parent Families

Adopting Without International Travel

Domestic Program Options

Program Information

Waiting Children

Our Agency Services

Office Locations

More About Us

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Waiting Children

NEW - Website Resource Offers Profiles of Waiting Children

Access to information on the current list of waiting children is as easy as registering and creating a password. Visitors will be able to see profiles on many children and will receive ongoing announcements of children as they are added. We currently have more than 80 waiting children from different regions of the world who are in need of a a family. Register today!

Meet John Therese

John Therese is a 4.5 year old boy described as a sweet child who is very affectionate; he loves to hug his caretakers and teachers. JT, as he is called by his caretakers, enjoys biking, singing, painting and drawing. He is a very active and energetic boy who knows how to follow his teacher's instructions. In May of 2004 he underwent surgery to correct cleft palate. The surgery was successful and he is able to eat solid food and drink without difficulty. JT was also tested positive for Hep. B. JT is available for adoption and he would greatly benefit from having a loving family. Please consider welcoming him into your home!

For more information please contact Marta Minnich: mminnich@whfc.org

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Humanitarian Aid & Fundraising News

Celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day with WHFC

Your gift to our Adoption Subsidy Program can help build a family! A contribution this Mother's Day or Father's Day will help enable others to become parents to children in need. And, your donation can be made as a special tribute to a friend or loved one who will receive a beautiful card commemorating the holiday and your contribution. Holiday requests needed by April 30th..

Participate in Child Sponsorship in Ethiopia, Guatemala and India

In countries like these, the needs of children are staggering. As a sponsor, you have the unique opportunity to directly improve the life of a child. For an annual tax-deductible donation of $360, or less than $1 a day, you can provide a child in Ethiopia or Guatemala with basic support for food, clothing, medical care, and the opportunity to go to school. For just $100 per year, you can sponsor a child in India for their school tuition and supplies. Visit our website for details.

Join Us May 14th for WHFC's 2005 Gala Auction - A Celebration of Giving

An international celebration of WHFC families and their support for our humanitarian aid work. Our special guest this year will be our Russian representative, Andrey Metelsky, who lives in Moscow and heads up our in-country team. Visit our website for details and to view a catalog of some of the items donated for this year's auction.

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Learn More About Adoption Options

Register Online Today for Our Program Introduction Meetings

China * Ethiopia * Guatemala * India
Russia * Ukraine * United States

To learn more about our programs, the children and the adoption process, we encourage you to attend one or more of our Northeast region program meetings. You will hear a talk by an adoptive family, as well as a staff presentation about the program-specific adoption experience.

Seating is limited and registration is required. View schedule

View Our Website Resources

In addition to the insightful stories submitted by our families (see below), please visit our website to read adoption information articles written by our program and clinical staff, including:

Adoption Education Articles - Written by WHFC staff to help you navigate and understand the adoption process.

Adoption Program/ Travel Articles - Updates written by our program staff who often visit our various partner countries, including China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Korea, The Philippines, Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

Featured Family Articles
Hear from WHFC families about how they chose a particular program, their experience with the process, their travel diary, and life with their children today.

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Let Us Help You Bring A Child Into Your Life

If you are currently researching adoption or in the process of considering various program options, WHFC has a variety of next steps to offer you:

ATTEND an Adoption Information Meeting

REGISTER for our ongoing series of Program Introduction Meetings or Educational Symposia

WATCH our web site for adoption news and updated listings of Waiting Children

PLAN to attend a WHFC cultural event this spring or fall

CONTACT any of our program staff or referral families

Which of the following best describes where you are in the adoption process?
Just thinking about adoption
Investigating adoption agencies
Completing our homestudy
Awaiting referral
Traveling soon
Just arrived home (within the past year)
Home longer than one year
View poll results

Calendar of Events
Register today for our May seminar, "Your Child's Medical History"

Wide Horizons For Children is pleased to present "Your Child's Medical History," a seminar which provides parents with a framework for understanding their child's medical information. Featured speaker is Connecticut pediatrician, Dr. Aarti Chandawarkar. Dr. Chandawarkar has extensive medical experience with adopted children from many countries, including China, Russia, India, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin American.

Date/Time: Monday, May 2, 2005, 7-8:30 PM
Location: Wide Horizons For Children, 38 Edge Hill Road, Waltham MA
Your Suggestions Needed - Help Us Improve Our Cultural Events

We are seeking suggestions to improve and expand our cultural events and to ensure they meet the needs of our families. Please complete this short survey. For survey participants we will donate $1 in your name to the program of your choice.

View a Complete List of WHFC Annual Events, Workshops and Symposia

Offerings for families include cultural events and camps, family-oriented social events, and educational symposia. Many events occur in our regional locations. Prospective families are encouraged to attend. View events schedule.

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Published by Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. 38 Edge Hill Road, Waltham, MA 02451
Copyright 2005 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part with out permission is prohibited.