December 2006

Program News - Families Needed

Updates available on our:
• Russia & Kazakhstan programs
• Guatemala program
• Domestic program

Process Update

• Hague Adoption Convention Status
• Streamlined application process

Horizon Kids

• Meet our featured waiting child

News & Stories

• WHFC in the News
• Family Stories

Meetings & Events

• On-site and online meetings
• Regional Events

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Your thoughts, like ours, are undoubtedly turning to our families, friends and the activities of this holiday season. But there is something more that envelops the Wide Horizons community at this time of year, and that is our common commitment to helping forgotten children around the world who have very little to celebrate. Whether it is by supporting our humanitarian aid efforts or by adopting a child, we can all help.

We have already begun to receive responses to our annual appeal and encourage you to make your donation online if you have not yet had a chance to respond. There you will have the opportunity to direct your donation by sponsoring a child, by specifying a country where you would like to support our humanitarian aid efforts, or by assisting families who otherwise could not afford to adopt. While on our website, please check out the impact your past contributions have had upon children around the world.

If you are considering or in the process of adopting, you may be aware that the international adoption landscape continues to change. Our staff are up-to-date and can help you navigate the process. All of our 11 programs are open and accepting applications. Most importantly, we do not have enough parents for all the children who wait in Kazakhstan, Russia and Guatemala - and many of these children may never find families.

On behalf of all of us at Wide Horizons, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Please accept our wishes for peace, health and happiness.

Peter Leppanen
President & CEO, Wide Horizons For Children

PROGRAM NEWS - FAMILIES NEEDED

Russia & Kazakhstan - Clients who apply to WHFC with a completed home study and CIS clearance for Russia or Kazakhstan by 12/31/06 are eligible for a $1000 reduction in the Placement Services fee due with application.
Russia - We are currently NGO-registered, accredited, and actively working in 9 regions of this fast-moving program. Families needed for infants and children of all ages.
Kazakhstan - A fast-moving program. Families needed for infants and children of all ages. Families applying before 1/31/07 may request a child of either gender regardless of the makeup of their family.
Guatemala - Families needed primarily for infants under one year. This program is running smoothly and predictably.
United States/ Domestic - Families needed for African American newborns. Families who are open to considering birth parents with mental health issues are also needed.

For the most up-to-date information on all of our adoption programs, visit our website.

View Our NEW Website Today... Our new website offers invaluable adoption resources including: • Online presentations • Program information • Downloadable information packet • Family stories • Events listings

PROCESS UPDATE

Hague Adoption Convention Update - WHFC has filed our application and expect to become a fully accredited provider under the Hague Adoption Convention in 2007.

Streamlined Application Process - WHFC has recently enhanced our application process to make it easier for families to complete their initial paperwork. As of July 2006, families no longer need to submit an autobiography, but merely fill out a Home Study Profile form. For more information and some helpful resources for completing your application, please contact your regional office today.

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HORIZON KIDS: MEET THIS MONTH'S FEATURED CHILD

Renato is a healthy, active, 8-year old boy from the Philippines. According to a recent progress report, his physical and social development is age-appropriate. Renato is somewhat delayed in his verbal skills, but shows an interest in writing and learning, and his caregivers describe him as an affectionate and well-behaved boy who likes to please others. Additional information can be requested from Amanda Halpern, Horizon Kids Coordinator at 781.419.0371 or ahalpern@whfc.org.

To learn more view our online presentation or join us for a live teleconference and hear about the children available.

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NEWS & STORIES

Our news coverage and family stories are updated frequently, so be sure to check the site often to see what's happening!

WHFC in the News

Lifeline to Ethiopia
Waltham agency paves the way to adopting orphaned children
The Boston Globe, December 7, 2006
A year ago, in a desperately poor corner of the world, Richard Fournier of Plainville became a father for the third time. Fournier traveled to Ethiopia to adopt Samuel, a 3-year-old he and his wife, Susan, had known only through photos and medical reports. His new son spoke no English, so Richard learned a few words of Amharic, such as dabo (bread) and abba (daddy). Today, Sammy chats away about the Red Sox and "Big Papi."

View all news stories.

Family Stories

The Christmas Tradition
by Sandy E
I recall it was in mid-November of 2003, as I was just turning 45, when I mailed in the initial application to Wide Horizons For Children, which was the first step in the adoption process. It was a big decision and I knew I had to make it that month, for the Guatemala program cutoff was 45 years old for the mother applicant at that time. By then I had been through the fertility route for a few years and although I had two grown step-kids in their twenties, my husband and I thought it would be doable for us to raise one more child that we could share between us. We were always open to adoption and knew from the start it would be a foreign child. Mike wanted a Spanish-speaking culture and I wanted a Catholic country, so we both agreed on a little boy from Guatemala. Although WHFC could not promise a son, we were told that it was very likely that we could get a boy placed with us. I recall the scared feelings and tears in my eyes that day in November when I mailed it in.

View all family stories.

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MEETINGS & EVENTS

Wide Horizons For Children offers a variety of meetings and events throughout the year in all of our regions.

On-site and Online Meetings

Online Information Session - WHFC is now offering our information session online. View the schedule and register online today.

Weekday and weekend dates are now offered in Albany, NY; Norwalk & Danbury, CT; Worcester, MA; Keene, NH and more. View the complete schedule.

Program Introduction Presentations - View our schedule of upcoming online sessions and on-site meetings offering complete program details.

Regional Events

Wide Horizons For Children is pleased to be able to offer culturally rich activities, educational seminars and family networking opportunities.

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