Monday, December 30, 2013

Last Chance to Help in 2013!

Time is running out...    

There is not much time left to make your donation count in 2013.  Any donation received by December 31, is tax-deductible and 100% of your donation is applied to the Hopscotch Waiting Child and Special Needs Grant Fund. 

Want to donate?  Click here.

Meet a success story... "From barely surviving to thriving!"

 

A diagnosis of spina bifida hasn't kept this active little girl down.  She's been a fighter from the word "go". Thanks in part to donations from people like you, she joined her family 2011.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every little bit helps!

Waiting Child & Special Needs Program

Hopscotch is dedicated to finding permanent and loving homes for children with special needs from Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, and Morocco.

Learn More...

 

 

 

 

 

 

HELP US HELP THEM!

The Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant Fund allows Hopscotch to financially aid families pursuing the adoption of children with special needs.

We can't do it without your support!

 

Donate Now...

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Adoption Alert: Congolese Authorities Confirm the Suspension on Exit Permit Issuances Continues and Advise of Delays in Processing Grandfathered Cases

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December 20, 2013

Adoption Alert

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congolese Authorities Confirm the Suspension on Exit Permit Issuances Continues and Advise of Delays in Processing Grandfathered Cases

On December 19, the Congolese Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior and Security, and the General Direction of Migration (DGM) confirmed to members of the diplomatic corps, including the U.S. Ambassador, that the current suspension on the issuance of exit permits continues.  This announcement confirmed information reported in the Department of State's October 23 adoption alert regarding the suspension of issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents. 

The Ministers announced that even those adoptive families whose cases meet the DGM’s criteria for receiving exit permits during the suspension will experience significant processing delays.  Applications for exit permits for adopted children are facing increased scrutiny following reports of an apparently falsely backdated bordereau letter submitted by a U.S. family.  The DGM reported that a number of additional applications appear to include fraudulently-obtained documentation as well.  The Ministers stressed that adoptive parents “must be patient” as the DGM is reviewing applications thoroughly and cannot predict when exit permits may be issued.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa continues to seek information about why some families whose adoptions were approved by the Ministry of Gender and Family before September 25 have reportedly not been able to submit applications for exit permits.  Adoptive parents are cautioned that the processing delays may impact the DGM’s ability to accept and process additional applications. 

The DGM continues to estimate that the suspension will last a year.  Adoptive families, prospective adoptive families, and adoption service providers are cautioned that the DGM has not committed to processing applications for exit permits within a given timeframe once the suspension ends. 

Reminder of prohibition on adoptions by single parents: 

On December 19, the Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior and Security, and DGM reiterated the October 22 announcement that children adopted by single parents will no longer be eligible for exit permits, unless the adoptions were approved by the Ministry of Gender and Family before September 25.  This prohibition applies to single individuals from all countries and is intended to be permanent.

Please direct questions related to this notice or a specific adoption to the Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.  Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov.  We will also post new information as it becomes available on www.adoption.state.gov.

Request of Secretary Kerry to Personally Intervene

voices%20of%20child%20chiff%2012-19-2013 The Children in Families First Working Group Claims U.S. Department of State Arbitrarily Limits International Adoptions Request Secretary Kerry to personally intervene.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 19, 2013 - The "Children in Families Working Group," a coalition of nonprofit advocacy organizations seeking change in global policies for children living outside of family care, asked Secretary of State John Kerry to conduct a thorough internal review of U.S. Department of State policies that prohibit orphaned children from certain countries from benefitting from international adoption.

According to a letter sent to the Secretary and signed by nine organizations, the group has concerns with recent actions taken by Office of Children's Issues to block other countries from re-opening their international adoption programs, stating that as a whole, these decisions appear arbitrary and inconsistent. Since U.S. implementation of The Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption in 2008, no U.S. adoptions have occurred from the 13 countries that have become Hague Convention partners. By contrast, in 2004 alone, more than 4,100 children were adopted into US families from these same countries.

Cambodia was cited as a specific example of the types of harms that occur because of these policies, noting that since international adoptions ceased in 2001, tens of thousands of Cambodian children have languished in orphanages, with many of those who "age out" ending up dead, on the streets or trafficked into the sex trade. The Department of State has recently indicated that it will oppose the re-opening of adoptions to the United States until Cambodia has an effective domestic adoption system in place. Elizabeth Bartholet, Professor of Law and Director of the Child Advocacy Program at Harvard Law School, commented, "It's vitally important that the Department of State shift gears. It needs to honor rather than trample child human rights, it needs to help kids get the loving homes they need, rather than lock kids into life-destroying institutions."

Craig Juntunen, founder of Both Ends Burning stated "Despite the fact that families all over this country are hoping to adopt children, International adoption to the U.S. has declined dramatically, from nearly 23,000 children in 2004 to less than 9,000 in 2012. Unless action is taken that decline will continue. More than 60,000 children would be growing up in the love and care of a family today if adoptions had remained stable at the rate it was in 2004. Instead these children are living compromised lives in orphanages. Scientific research has documented the harm that occurs to children in these circumstances. Their mental and physical development is permanently impacted. We are hopeful that Secretary Kerry will take action to re-establish connections with countries whose children are in dire need."

Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, who took part in a Congressional delegation visit to Cambodia this past February, commented "What is the most frustrating about decisions like the one recently made in Cambodia is that the Government of Cambodia has made significant progress in preventing the abandonment of children and promoting domestic adoption but these advancements don't ever seem to be enough."

The full text of the letter to Secretary Kerry is available here.

Signing organizations include:
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Both Ends Burning
Center for Adoption Policy
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Harvard Law School Child Advocacy Program
Joint Council for International Children's Services
Kidsave
National Council For Adoption
Saddleback Church Orphan Care Initiative

Thursday, December 19, 2013

We Have A Winner!!

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Your donation can change a life.

Time is running out...

Meet "Reese"

Reese has an irresistible smile and piercing blue eyes. Reese has been diagnosed with strabismus, Spina bifida and hydrocephaly, and received a shunt shortly after birth.  He enjoys books, blocks and singing songs. He is able to feed himself finger foods, such as bread and cookies. His caretakers say he is extremely smart and has an extensive vocabulary for his age. Currently he is completely immobile, but would really like to use a wheelchair like many of his friends.

Reese has been waiting for a family since 2007.

 

 

 

You can help.      

We still have a ways to go to reach our goal of $5,000 for our Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant Fund and less than two weeks left to do it.  Your donation is tax deductible and goes toward families adopting the most vulnerable of the children we advocate for.  

Help kids like Reese find their forever family.

To donate, go to:

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/hopscotchadoptions?code=donate-page

 

Waiting Child & Special Needs Program

Hopscotch is dedicated to finding permanent and loving homes for children with special needs from Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, and Morocco.

Learn More...

 

 

 

 

 

HELP US HELP THEM!

The Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant Fund allows Hopscotch to financially aid families pursuing the adoption of children with special needs.

We can't do it without your support!

Donate Now...

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Find us on Pinterest Visit our blog

Neal's Fund

DSC03062 Neal's Fund is a Hopscotch family fundraiser to fund the adoption of Neal when his forever family is found.  The stamps are from 1920's and posted on four different colors to choose from.  Only two orange are left.  Hurry up and order fast!  $10 each, all proceeds benefit Neal's fund.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Take the time to change a child's life forever

Take the time...

 

The clock is ticking...     

As the holidays draw closer, remember, it only takes a moment to change a waiting child's life forever.  Make a donation to the Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant fund and help us reach our goal of $5,000 by the end of the year.  

 

Waiting Child & Special Needs Program

Hopscotch is dedicated to finding permanent and loving homes for children with special needs from Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, and Morocco.

Learn More...

 

 

 

 

ACT NOW!

The Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant Fund allows Hopscotch to financially aid families pursuing the adoption of children with special needs.

Time is running out!  Make a $10 donation between now and December 17 and you will be entered to win a new iPad Mini.  Select the $10 iPad Mini Raffle button before making your donation. 

 

 

Donate Now...

IAC 265 Results December 12, 2013

iacresults113020111_thumb_thumb_thumbThe following referrals were issued in IAC Session 265 which was held on November 13, 2013.

Download PDF

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Funding Your Adoption

Don't forget this resource to fund your adoption: AdoptTogether.org

Click to view the video.

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Georgian Association Requests Your Help To Support Ukraine

Dear Friends,

The Georgian Association expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are standing strong for freedom and democracy in the face of Russian pressure. Today, Ukraine is fighting for integration into the EuroAtlantic structures. We encourage our members and friends to join us in supporting Ukraine in these critical times. Should Ukraine cede to Russia's wishes, the neighboring countries - including Georgia - will soon after face the same pressure from Russia.

Here is how you can help:

Contact the White House and your senators and representatives in Washington and urge them to unequivocally condemn all attempts to forcefully breakup the EuroMaidan. It is of paramount 
importance that human rights and the civil liberties of these peaceful protestants are honored.

Email the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

Call the President: Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414

To send an e-mail to your senators and representative in Washington, go to: http://www.senate.gov and  http://www.house.gov.

Sincerely,
Nino Aduashvili
Executive Director
Georgian Association in the USA, Inc.

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Monday, December 9, 2013

If You Know Crazy... I Mean, A Waiting Adoptive Parent ~ Read This.

Source: http://wondermentetc.com/2013/08/02/dear-friends-of-waiting-adoptive-moms-some-things-to-know-also-were-sorry/

Excellent Blog Post Regarding The Waiting Adoptive Parent:

Dear friends of waiting adoptive moms: some things to know (also, we’re sorry)

1. Your friend is not crazy. (She is adopting.)

There is, I will admit, a fine line between those two but still it’s good to remember. The international adoption of a child requires enough paperwork to kill a small forest. And more governmental red tape than you can believe. Imagine your longest, most frustrating trip to the DMV. Now quadruple that, add in twelve more governmental agencies in two countries, and remember it’s not a driver’s license you’re waiting for but the final piece of paper that says this family you’re creating can finally, finally be together. Yeah. Not crazy. But close.

Continue Reading

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Hopscotch Adoptions Celebrates our Board Diversity in Service

51c58eabfeaea95a878202e482ff8ae7 Hopscotch Adoptions board member, Kristin Dadey, also member of the Phnom Penh Catholic community, comes from a large family which include deaf brothers and a sister. Now residing in Cambodia, she had the idea of producing a video about the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme, to help promote its work and recruited her friend, Sita Verma, as a partner. Together they developed a project to produce a five-minute DDP video.  Stay tuned!

This Holiday Season, Take the Time to Make a Difference

Take the time...

For a waiting child, a moment is everything.  A moment can make a difference between a hug and a bruise.  A moment can make a difference between a warm meal and starvation.  A moment can make a difference between a home or...

Children without permanent families are at the highest risk for abuse, neglect, and trafficking. The most vulnerable are those with special needs.  Those who are left hanging on a moment.

They need not wait a moment longer.  Right now, families want to bring the most vulnerable of these children into their lives.  They need your help to do so.

Our goal is to reach $5,000 by the end of the year in order to help 10 more children find their forever family and to make their moment of opportunity last a lifetime.

So, do you have a moment?

Waiting Child & Special Needs Program

Hopscotch is dedicated to finding permanent and loving homes for children with special needs from Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ghana, and Morocco.

Learn More...

 

 

 

 

Waiting Child & Special Need Grant Fund

The Waiting Child & Special Needs Grant Fund allows Hopscotch to financially aid families pursuing the adoption of children with special needs.  To date, over 80 children have benefited from special needs grants.                                 
Donate Now...

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog Find us on Pinterest

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Moms Unite for Neal!

b0df003cf1e2231b1e6dcab7ad57700a Nuggets For Neal & Book Sale: Three Hopscotch adoptive moms have come together in support of fundraising for a specific child we call "Neal".   One adoptive mom, Lisa Garcia, believes in Neal and understands that he needs a family.  She has graciously offered to help raise funds through selling a book she has written.  All profits from any sales will go directly to Neal's grant fund.

The book, Tree of Life, is available for $12.00 here or $9.99 as a Kindle edition via Amazon.

"Connect the dots" from Genesis to Revelation!

This book is unique in that it's not just filled with Bible stories, but it is THE story of the Bible--unified, and continuous, in chronological order, from the book of Genesis, through the book of Revelation. Readers will get the big picture of God's plan of salvation for mankind!  This book is a great accompaniment to the Bible, and will help readers gain more insight into the Word of God.

Free audio book download included with purchase!

Also available: The Tree of Life Curriculum Guide:
Download Free Curriculum Guide
Over 500 activities & questions to help readers gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures!
You can purchase the Kindle edition of the book directly from Amazon:
Any questions? Email  viviane8@yahoo.com.