Call to all Adoptive Parents of Russian Children

Joint Council Announcement

Program International Relations Initiative
Date September 11, 2008
Regarding Joint Council ACTION REQUEST - RUSSIA
In a proactive effort by Joint Council and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to promote a positive public and governmental image of intercountry adoptions, we are collecting 20 stories of successful Russian adoptees. These stories will be strategically forwarded by DOS to the Government of Russia and Russian media.
Stories should be approximately 500 words in length and, ideally, include a picture of the adoptee and his/her family. Submissions should also include a confidential information release from the adoptive family authorizing a release from all copyrights. Confidential information releases need to include the names of the family members, their address, phone number(s), and an email address. Please note that the story and/or photos will be shared with Joint Council, the US Dept of State, authorities of the Russian Government and members of the media.

Stories should be submitted to Rebecca Harris at rebeccah@jcics.org by September 26, 2008. Thank you!

Volunteers Wanted

We are looking for volunteers to help with our next picnic, to be held on October 18th. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Lori Weiner at 619-294-7772 or by email at lori@adoption-options.org.

We Need Your Help!!!!

Dear Families,

As some of you may know, November is National Adoption Month! This year, in efforts to create awareness and lend support to children in need, we will be hosting fundraising activities during the October 18th reunion picnic.

The funds raised this year will go directly to Adoption Options for the continued operation of our adoption agency and our adoption programs in Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

In order for us to achieve this goal, we need your help! During the October Reunion Picnic, we hope to hold several activities such as a silent auction, games, pumpkin decorations, professional face painting, and more. Adoption Options is in need of the following items for these fundraising activities:

- 15-20 gift baskets for silent auctions
- Monetary donations
- 5-6 foldable tables (will be returned to owner)

Also, if any of you would like to volunteer your time and supplies for any arts and craft activities that the children could do at the picnic, please let us know.

If your family or business would be able to donate or lend us the above mentioned items please contact Natasha or Joyce (619) 294-7772. Your donation is tax deductible!

We realize that this is a challenging time in the economy for all of our families as it is for our agency. We thank you in advance for your continued support of our adoption agency and programs. If your company/employer offers any donations to non-profit organizations, please let us know so we can contact them as well.

Sincerely,
Adoption Options

Next AO Parent Support Group, September 24th

The Adoption Options’ parent support group is a great way to connect with other adoptive parents, either currently in the process or parents whom have already adopted. This month’s topic is related to School and Adoption: How to talk to your children’s teachers about adoption, how to do projects such as family trees, and different school issues that can come about.

Please RSVP soon if you plan on attending.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 @6:30 PM

Topic: School and Adoption

**NEW: Adoption Options’ Office

411 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 294-7772

Please RSVP to Natasha by September 19, 2008 (there is limited space)- natasha@adoption-options.org OR

Call 619-294-7772

Informational Meeting on International Adoptions

Interested in learning about international adoptions? Please join us for a FREE, informational meeting that will cover all aspects of adoptions, but will focus mainly on International Adoption. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in our NEW San Diego Office, located at:

411 Camino del Rio South

Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92108

Please RSVP to Natasha Oberg by calling her at (619) 294-7772 or by emailing her at natasha@adoption-options.org.

Russia Update

Our Russian program continues to do well despite concerns that there would be changes to the program due to the recent situation between Russia and Georgia. We have continued to receive referrals for both boys and girls of all ages. Families interested in learning more about our Russian Program should contact our Executive Director, Brent Yoder, LCSW at brent@adoption-options.org or (619) 294-7772.

Kazakhstan Update

Kazakhstan remains open for international adoption. However, due to changes that have occurred at the Kazakhstan embassy, no dossiers are being processed at this time. The Kazakhstan embassy is requiring all agencies working in Kazakhstan to be Hague Accredited, though Kazakhstan is not a Hague Convention Country. We should find out more information from the Kazakhstsan embassy regarding the adoption process after September 15th and will provide an update here.

Families interested in finding out more information about the Kazakhstan program may contact Kazakhstan Program Coordinator, Joyce Thompson, at joyce@adoption-options.org or (619) 294-7772.

Kyrgyzstan Update

Due to changes in other countries' program, we have seen a surge in interest in the Kyrgyzstan program. We have temporarily stopped taking new applications from any families, but are taking names and contact information for families who want to be placed on our waiting list to apply with our agency. If you are interested in finding out more information about Kyrgyzstan or would your name added on our waiting list, please contact our Kyrgyzstan Program Coordinator, Joyce Thompson, at joyce@adoption-options.org or at (619) 294-7772.

We are officially in the new office!

We officially moved into our new office this last weekend, and are up and running. Please be sure to update your contact information with our new address:

411 Camino del Rio South, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 294-7772 Office

(619) 294-7771 Fax

www.adoption-options.org

info@adoption-options.org

Our telephone and individual email addresses have remained the same. As a reminder, our office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Thursday and 8 AM to 1 PM on Fridays. We are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.