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.

Adoption Programs

CHINA Contact Linda Lin or Joy Mazzolla: china@whfc.org

COLOMBIA Contact Tara Lucchetti: colombia@whfc.org

ETHIOPIA Contact Almaz Asresahin or Kristen Mallory: ethiopia@whfc.org

GUATEMALA Contact Edna Cruz or Tara Lucchetti: guatemala@whfc.org

INDIA Contact Homai Schmidt or Eileen Minnucci: india@whfc.org

KAZAKHSTAN Contact Debbie Mansfield: kazakhstan@whfc.org

KOREA Contact Betsey Barrett or Eileen Minnucci: korea@whfc.org

PHILIPPINES Contact Mary Lou Eshelman: philippines@whfc.org

RUSSIA Contact Vica Nikitina, Eugenia Bevz, or Masha Korsunsky: russia@whfc.org

RUSSIA SUMMER HOST PROGRAM Contact Eugenia Bevz ebevz@whfc.org

UKRAINE Contact Masha Korsunsky: ukraine@whfc.org

USA Contact Cathy Duggan: usa@whfc.org

Cultural Events

Passport 2005: A Multicultural Family Festival
NEW THIS YEAR: We've combined our individual cultural events into one major celebration!
Date: November 12, 2005
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Marlborough, MA

New York International Night
Date: October 22, 2005
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: Massapequa, NY

Rhode Island International Festival
Date: November 6, 2005
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Providence, RI

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Program Introduction Meetings

Attend one of our Program Introduction meetings, open to all prospective and registered clients who have not yet selected a program. Come learn about program-specific information including:

• The children
• Program highlights
• Fees
• Adoption process and timeline
• Staff-support, in the U.S. and abroad
• Referral process and information provided

MA - November 16 NY City - October 27 NJ - October 26	MA - October 26 CT - November 16 NH - November 17 RI - November 2
MA - November 10 CT - November 15 RI - November 3 CT - December 7 NH - November 15 RI - November 30	MA - December 7 NY City - November 17 NJ - November 16

REGISTER TODAY by visiting the WHFC website.

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Post Adoption Workshops

Talking to Your Child About Adoption
Date: October 25, 2005
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: West Hartford, CT
Description: Whether your child is pre-verbal or in early adolescence, there are many opportunities for adoptive parents to help their child understand his/her life story. Learn practical and useful ways to share age-appropriate information with your child. Explore various ways to introduce aspects of your child's adoption and birth history even with children who are not openly asking questions. Ways to approach difficult topics will also be covered.

Raising Transcultural Children
Date: November 16, 2005
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Waltham, MA
Description: Raising children who are racially different from their families and many of their school peers can be a challenge. Come learn how to support your child in responding to difficult questions and situations. Learn how to help your child develop pride in his/her heritage.

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Family Stories

Our Small Strand of China Pearls

I waited anxiously to see the headlights of the shiny black car that would bring my husband, Mike, and our fourth daughter, Leah, home from China. As I stood there with feelings of anxiety, excitement, and nervousness, I remembered these are exactly the same feelings I had each time I have waited to meet one of my daughters. Read more...

Smiles and Laughter From Ethiopia

It was all the smiles and laughter that surprised me the most. All of these beautiful children had lost their parents to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Ethiopia, yet they all smile. Within the last year they have been shuffled around to family, friends and neighbors who were unable to raise them and end up relinquishing them, yet they all smile. Read more...

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