Gladney China Adoption

NPR Interview – Chinese New Year as an Adoptive Family

2012-02-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

NPR host Michel Martin recently spoke to David Youtz, Gladney father of four adopted daughters from China, and his oldest daughter Sophie about clebrating Chinese New Year as an adoptive family. To listen to the show click here.

The Youtz family adopted triplets from China through Gladney; pictured here with the Chinese Consul General and his wife at an International Children’s Day celebration in 2006.

GFA Chinese New Year Parties

2012-02-09T15:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Everything prospers in a united family; though events do

not happen according to men's calculations. - Chinese Proverb

Dallas Fort Worth

On Saturday, January 14, over 50 people attended the Fort Worth/Dallas GFA Chinese New Year Party held in Gladney's Mabee Hall. In addition to enjoying a catered Chinese dinner, the Fort Worth Chinese School performed a flag dance and Lion dance, and shared the history, traditions and customs of Chinese New Year. Two of the performers were Gladney "babies".

New York

On Sunday, January 22, over 140 Gladney parents and children gathered at the Jing Fong Restaurant in New York's Chinatown to celebrate Lunar (Chinese) New Year along with the Gladney Asia Program staff and Gladney Family Association's Wendy Lee, from Texas. Chinese New Year is the time of year families get together, so it was really wonderful to see so many Gladney families enjoying this joyous holiday!

As we enjoyed yummy Chinese food, an exciting lion dance, beautiful traditional Chinese dances, and fun arts and crafts projects, many generous families spread their joy all the way to Jiangxi Province by donating $500 to Gladney's Superkids charity. With these donations, more children in need of therapeutic services will benefit. For that, Gladney would like to give a big THANK YOU! If you'd like to make a donation or learn more about this initiative, click here.

Houston

On Saturday, February 4, GFA members in Houston met for a small, casual lunch at Hunan's Restaurant. The kids had fun coloring and decorating dragons while parents mingled.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Brooklyn, New York

2012-02-07T17:14:00.000-05:00

James, aged 12, Kathryn, aged 7, Sarah aged 6, and dad Chris! Kathryn and Sarah were both adopted through Gladney's China Waiting Child Program.

In school, mom Stephanie read books about Chinese New Year to her daughter's classes: Bringing In The New Year by Grace Lin and The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale by Ying Chang Compestine.

Big brother James took this photo of Kathryn digging into a plate of dumplings at grandma’s house.

Adoption Terms Quiz

2012-02-03T08:44:00.000-05:00

In the adoption process there are many different acronyms that are used by adoptive families and agency staff. To further complicate things, each country/program has it’s own set of acronyms! It can be hard to remember what each acronym stands for, so to help refresh your memory take our fun quiz below! Extra points if you can name which country/program each acronym is for!

1.L.I.D.

a.Legal Intended Dossier
b.Log In Date
c.Cover to a pot

2.L.S.C. (also referred to sometimes as L.O.A.)

a.Letter Seeking Confirmation (Letter Of Acceptance)
b.Legally Sealed Child (Legal Office Agreement)
c.License Signed Confirmation (License Of Acceptance)

3.T.A.

a.Travel Agreement
b.Travel Approval
c.Travel Agent

4.C.C.C.W.A. (formerly C.C.A.A.)

a.China Center for Children and Waiting Adoptions (China Center for Adoption Affairs)
b.Chinese Consulate Center for Welfare and Adoptions (Chinese Center for Approved Adoptions)
c.China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (China Center for Adoption Affairs)

5.A.I.T.

a.Adoption Institute in Taiwan
b.Adoptions In Taiwan
c.American Institute in Taiwan

6.T.E.C.O.

a.Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
b.Texas Economic and Cultural Office
c.Taiwan Exceptional Certification Office

Answer Key:

1.B (China)
2.A (China)
3.B (China)
4.C (China)
5.C (Taiwan)
6. A (Taiwan)

January Program News

2012-01-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

Recently in China Adoption News

CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through August 15, 2006! Congratulations to all of the families who have received referrals.
CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LID through November 30, 2010.
CCCWA has issued a Travel Approval for one Gladney family in December!
One Gladney family travelled to China to complete their adoption in December!

Gladney continues to receive profiles of children through our partnership program with Shanghai Children's Home. Check our Asia Waiting Child blog for more information about children that are available through the Gladney Center for Adoption. Gladney holds monthly webinars which give an overview of the China Guang Ming program and highlight specific children available for adoption. These webinars are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1pm EST. Click here to register.

2012-01-25T10:52:00.001-05:00

Chinese New Year 2003

It is time to prepare for Chinese New Year, to say good bye to the year of the Rabbit and pray for luck in the new Year of the Dragon, 4710 which begins on January 23rd. Also known as Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, this important holiday is celebrated around the globe starting with Chinese New Year's Eve, a day when Chinese families gather from near and far for their annual reunion dinner.

As I pack up the Christmas decorations, I am already looking forward to decorating for Chinese New Year! Over the last fifteen years, we have collected many beautiful and memorable decorations from numerous trips to New York's Chinatown, souvenirs from our adoption trips and China Heritage Tour and gifts from family and friends. Cleaning the house, buying new clothes, getting haircuts and bringing signs of spring into our home are some of the pre-celebration traditions we share with our daughters to help them embrace this special holiday!

Our plans to celebrate this year already include attending the Gladney Family Association New Year party and a get together hosted by one of our travel group families. I am sure we will also see our local Gladney friends for a luncheon at one of our homes, complete with a red velvet cake, or for one of our adventurous treks into Chinatown for a walking tour, a visit to the flower markets or a program at the Museum of Chinese Americans (MOCA)!

When our daughters were in elementary school, they enjoyed telling their classmates how we celebrated the holiday. At first they were nervous, but as time went on, they became more confident and enthused to tell their stories, teach a craft and share fun holiday facts. Of course their friends looked forward to receiving the red envelopes with chocolate coins or other goodies. Now that they are older, they are eager teach younger children some of what they have learned and share their excitement.

There are always so many festivals and parties hosted by local cultural organizations, adoption agencies, libraries and museums to choose from! Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to participate in one or more and enjoy your own family traditions.

The resources to learn about Chinese New Year are extensive, including books about Chinese holidays and traditions, articles on the internet and programs at libraries and museums. For a list of books you may find helpful, as well as a fun word search and coloring pages click here.

-- By Gladney mom with two daughters from China

Reprinted from January Asia Program Newsletter

Special Waiting Child Webinar

2012-01-20T13:13:00.002-05:00

Last night Gladney held a special Waiting Child Webinar that highlighted a recent trip to China and Taiwan by Pat Marcus, a pediatric physical therapist, who volunteers with Superkids charity. She visited with many of the waiting children who are designated to Gladney. During the webinar she spoke about her experience meeting the children and gave specific insight on each child.

You can view the webinar here. For more information about our Asia Waiting Child Program, please be in touch with Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org.

Gladney Family Association's New Webite

2012-01-19T17:02:00.000-05:00

Launched in December, this new, attractively designed website serves the GFA Community with up to date technology and the opportunity to go paperless where ever possible! Once members create a username and password, they have full access to the site. This includes the ability to browse and register for all the exciting GFA events, access to GFA newsletters and a members' only directory, which is updated daily rather than printed once a year! On-line registration and payment for events, as well as new memberships and renewals is simple, quick and secure.

The web address for this user friendly, standalone site is: www.gladneycommunity.com.
It is also accessible by choosing Family Association on the menu bar on Gladney's main website: www.adoptionsbygladney.com .

NOTE: There is still time to sign up for Gladney's Chinese New Year party in New York on January 22, 2012! To register, you can use the link to the Gladney Family Association's (GFA's) new website above.

Gladney’s New York Chinese New Year Celebration is Jan 22, please RSVP

2012-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Planning on attending Gladney’s New York Chinese New Year Celebration but have not yet RSVP’d? Please take a moment to do so now by clicking here. Come enjoy a dragon dance, a calligraphy demonstration, traditional Chinese dance and ballet and more! Final arrangements are being made with Jing Fong Restaurant (in Manhattan’s Chinatown) and we want to include YOU!

Special Waiting Child Webinar

2012-01-12T16:22:00.002-05:00

Please join us for a special presentation about Gladney's Guang Ming/China Waiting Child program! Special guest Pat Marcus, a pediatric physical therapist who volunteers with Gladney's Superkids charity will talk about her recent trip to Shanghai and the kids that she met during her trip that are available for adoption through Gladney.

Date: Thursday, Jan. 19th

Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST

To register for the webinar, please click here. We hope you will be able to join us!

Waiting Child Webinar

2012-01-10T10:15:00.000-05:00

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next Webinar will be this Wednesday, Jan. 11th at 1pm EST. Be sure to register for the Webinar!

This informative webinar will focus on the process of adopting waiting children from China. The webinar will provide an overview of Gladney’s program as well as share photos of available children. You will get a detailed explanation of the Application and paperwork process involved with adopting internationally. Also, each month we will feature different children, with a variety of ages and special needs, who are available for adoption. At the end of each webinar we offer time for attendees to ask questions and will provide contact information for you to follow up with one of Gladney’s Asia Program Staff.

We hope you will be able to join us for our webinar! Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends and family members that may also be interested.

My Reflections

2011-12-29T13:01:00.001-05:00

By April Uduhiri, Caseworker, Gladney Asia Program

As I reflect on the past year and ready myself for the hope and prospects of the year to come, I am reminded of how much I am blessed with. I am lucky to share my life surrounded by special people; my husband, family and friends. I am also fortunate that my work at Gladney Center is in line with my heartfelt passions. I am grateful for being able to play a small role in helping to bring families into the lives of orphans who would otherwise face a bleak future. Orphans with medical needs, especially visible issues, are considered outcasts in their own culture. When they are adopted into a family, they experience acceptance and belonging that they would not have known otherwise.

My gratefulness extends far – from the officials in China whose motto is everything for children, to my co-workers and supervisors who make working for Gladney such a privilege. And of course, to the ones doing the hard work, before and especially after the adoption – the adoptive parents! Over and over again I am amazed at your hope, faith and strength of character as you place your family’s future in the hands of caregivers, social workers, immigration officers and foreign governments! I am often encouraged through your emails and blog postings, and for this I am truly thankful.

I hope that when you gather with your family and friends over the holidays – either with your adopted little one(s) at your table for the first time, the 10th time, or simply in your hearts this year, that each and every one of you has a happy and blessed holiday season.

A wistful look from Jenna Lenig, as she enjoys her first wedding.

Jenna was adopted in November, 2010, from China.

Holiday Greetings

2011-12-24T16:02:00.000-05:00

Home For the Holidays!

The Marran family joyously welcomed home their 2 year-old daughter, Maelin, from Taiwan with the completion of their adoption last week.

"We can show you the way!"

Charlotte Chieh Marran (age 7) and Noah Chen Marran (age 6) guide their sister Maelin Hsuan through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

Best Wishes from the Gladney Asia Program Staff

for a hopeful, joyous, and peaceful holiday season

with your family.

Gongzhan Wu

Wendy Stanley

April Uduhiri

Lindsay Hatcher

Mary Chapman

Lydia Macci

Chinese New Year's Area Celebrations

2011-12-22T16:59:00.000-05:00

Chinese New Year is on Monday, January 23, 2012. Over the next few weeks, as the holiday approaches, keep your eyes open for celebrations in your area. Numerous groups have parties, dinners, march in parades, etc.

Gladney Chinese New Year celebration information is now posted on the Gladney Family Association website (click here for the GFA Network Events calendar, then choose January 2012 in the drop down Date box).

Check your area's Families with Children from China website or local cultural organizations and museums for other New Year activities.

Connecting with your Child's Culture

2011-12-21T11:32:00.000-05:00

Keeping a connection with your child's culture comes in many forms. There are the subtle, day to day activities like eating at local restaurants and visiting markets that specialize in traditional foods, or watching movies, reading books, and discussing current news events and politics that relate to your child's birth country.

A more formal connection can be established by enrolling in language and culture classes, or belonging to associations (Gladney Family Association, Families with Children from China or Organization of Chinese Americans) and local museums (Museum of Chinese Americans) that celebrate and teach the culture. These organizations are a wonderful resource for media materials, local activities and celebrations. They can also offer ideas, such as suggestions on how your child can celebrate Chinese New Year in school.

Staying connected with other adopted children, either from the child's travel group or children from the same country, is invaluable when it comes to solidifying the cultural connection. Meeting for social gatherings, going to local cultural fairs, attending officials' visits or sharing in holiday celebrations, give children the opportunity to have fun being together and share special moments.

For some adoptive families, traveling to the child's birth country for a heritage tour offers them an amazing way to see, hear and taste their birth country's culture first hand.

Celebrating the Gift of Giving in Non Material Ways

2011-12-20T14:20:00.000-05:00

At this time of year, when gift giving is at the forefront of our thoughts, an increasing number of charitable minded people choose alternatives to traditional material gifts. Teaching children that there are options to material gifts can be a rewarding and eye opening opportunity. The gift of time in the form of service to others can be a heartwarming experience. Gathering items for orphanages and foundations in Asia or raising money so essential items can be purchased are examples of service projects that benefit others in a meaningful way.

Another option to traditional gift giving involves a donation made in someone else's honor. In lieu of giving a traditional gift, a monetary contribution is made, usually to a not-for-profit organization that has significant meaning to the person being honored. For Gladney adoptees, a contribution can be made to one of the many wonderful programs that help children in their birth country (click here).

Interview with Pat Marcus, volunteer with Gladney's Superkids Charity

2011-12-15T08:46:00.007-05:00

Pat Marcus is a pediatric physical therapist in New York State. She has participated in several Superkids trips to Asia to work with children and caregivers in orphanages to enhance the lives of children with physical disabilities. Pat recently travelled in November with Superkids to China and Taiwan with Gongzhan Wu, Managing Director of Gladney Center for Adoption's Asia programs.

To read an interview with Pat about her trip click here.

Upcoming Asia Waiting Child Webinar

2011-12-13T10:31:00.002-05:00

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next Webinar will be this Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 1pm EST. Be sure to register for the Webinar!

This informative webinar will focus on the process of adopting waiting children from China. The webinar will provide an overview of Gladney’s program as well as share photos of available children. You will get a detailed explanation of the Application and paperwork process involved with adopting internationally. Also, each month we will feature different children, with a variety of ages and special needs, who are available for adoption. At the end of each webinar we offer time for attendees to ask questions and will provide contact information for you to follow up with one of Gladney’s Asia Program Staff.

We hope you will be able to join us for our webinar! Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends and family members that may also be interested.

Recommended Vaccinations

2011-12-01T16:02:00.002-05:00

As parents preparing for the adoption of a child, we often are very focused on the health of the child we will be adopting. However, it is important that we also take care of ourselves to make sure that we are protected from infection and disease.

The National Council for Adoption (https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/) has alerted the adoption community of a recent recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) that family and close contacts should receive the Hepatitis A Vaccination. To read the full APA report click here.

Before your travel, consult with your doctor to discuss which vaccinations are appropriate for your travel plans. This will depend on your personal vaccination history, as well as the specific overseas region you will be travelling to. Some immunizations may need to be given in a series over a number of months, so plan ahead! A helpful article that provides guidance for adopting parents preparing for international travel can be found here.

Special Superkids Webinar Postponed to Jan. 19th

2011-11-30T12:48:00.002-05:00

It’s that time of year again… the most wonderful and certainly one of the busiest! Due to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we have decided to reschedule Gladney’s special Superkids Webinar with pediatric physical therapist Pat Marcus. The webinar will now be held on January 19^th at 7pm EST. If you were unable to attend this week’s scheduled presentation, we look forward to having you join us in the new year to learn more about Superkids and Gladney’s relationship with Shanghai Children’s Home.

For those of you who had registered for the Dec. 1 webinar and would like to hear from Pat and gain more information about Gladney’s China program, feel free to contact China caseworker, April Uduhiri directly at april.uduhiri@gladney.org. Pat will also be available to speak with families who are interested in her recent trip and her work with Superkids.

To register for our January webinar click here.

2011 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces

2011-11-29T21:17:00.001-05:00

An important part of adopting is investigating all the areas in your life that will support your adoption. For many, the workplace is a wonderful resource of adoption benefits. Is your workplace on the 2011 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list?

To see all the companies that made the list or for a toolkit to propose or establish adoption benefits in your workplace, visit the Dave Thomas website.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T12:43:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving - A time to give thanks for family and friends, health and happiness, our beautiful country and our freedom.

From the Gladney Asia Program Staff

Free Course - We're Home! Now What?

2011-11-16T20:40:00.004-05:00

Are you awaiting a referral?

Have you recently received a referral?

Have you adopted in the last 6 months?

Well, here is a FREE class that may help with issues new families face such as language, sleep, eating, discipline attachment and medical care.

During the month of November, Adoption Learning Partners is offering We’re Home! Now What! for FREE!

To receive this course for free, click here to link to the registration page.

Please enter your agency name during registration.

When registration is complete, a coupon code will appear. Use this code at checkout.

Ambassador Jacobs National Adoption Month Video

2011-11-15T11:33:00.004-05:00

On November 3, 2011, Ambassador Susan Jacobs, Special Advisor for Children's Issues (CI) in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, spoke about intercountry adoptions in celebration of National Adoption Month 2011. Click here to access the video.

November is National Adoption Month!

2011-11-14T10:18:00.003-05:00

National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate family and to bring about awareness that there are hundreds of thousands of children awaiting adoption. States, communities, and agencies hold events during the month to bring the need for families into public view.

Celebrate National Adoption Month with your family and friends by:
- learning how and why National Adoption month began (click here)
- participating in day to day activities (for ideas click here)
- supporting adoption organizations such as Gladney by joining in their 125 Anniversary celebration.
- attending an adoption conference in your area, such as the 31st Annual APC Adoption Conference on Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Brooklyn, NY. For more information about the conference, click here.

Gongzhan Visits Asia Accompanied by Pat and Edna

2011-11-11T09:50:00.006-05:00

Gongzhan Wu, the managing director of Gladney’s Asia programs, is travelling throughout the month of November to various cities in Asia. On the first leg of the trip, to Taiwan, Shanghai, and Harbin, he is accompanied by Pat Marcus, a pediatric physical therapist from New York. In Taiwan, Gongzhan had a chance to meet with the social welfare organizations through which Gladney’s adoptive placements occur. During his recent visit to Shanghai, it is rewarding to see that Gladney’s partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Home continues to strengthen, with Gladney providing training and consultation, as well as continuing to advocate for the adoption of older children. It is our hope that we can build similar partnerships in other areas of China, as well as in Taiwan.

This current trip is a wonderful opportunity for us to share Gladney’s long 125 year history of helping children find adoptive families. Bringing Edna Gladney along on the trip has been quite an experience! She seems to be agreeable with the arduous travel schedule – always smiling!

Gongzhan, Pat and Edna at JFK Airport

Edna, Gongzhan and Pat arrived safely in Taipei

For Gladney families who would like to participate in the fun of celebrating Gladney's 125th Anniversary – click here to learn how you can print “your own Edna”. Bring Edna along to interesting places, and post your photos to Gladney’s “Where’s Edna facebook page”.

31st Annual APC Adoption Conference

2011-11-09T14:03:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Brooklyn, NY

The Adoptive Parent Committee (APC) annual conference serves to promote a better awareness and understanding of adoption and provide members with accurate information concerning adoption and parenting issues. Conference participants will have the opportunity to attend numerous informational sessions including a workshop conducted by Gladney's Asia Staff on "Adopting from Taiwan" from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

For more information about the conference, click here.

CCCWA Officials Visit Gladney

2011-11-08T16:55:00.007-05:00

Fall 2011 has been a busy and exciting time for Gladney's China Program as we were privileged to host another delegation of officials from the CCCWA! This October, a group of 15 officials travelled to the US in order to meet with several adoption agencies and visit with adoptive families and children. Gladney's NY office was honored to host a breakfast for the officials on the 26th, and share with them how Gladney works with families who are adopting from China. During the event, we felt encouraged by the officials desire to work together with Gladney to find homes for children with medical issues.

Gladney staff with CCCWA officials and Chuck Johnson from NCFA

Gladney staff with Ms. Zhu Hai Yan, Director of Shanghai Children's Home

Why Waiting Children?

2011-11-07T10:50:00.002-05:00

Some of you may have wondered at some point, why are some children referred to as "waiting children"? What does this mean?

In some programs, parents work hard to complete their dossier and submit it to the adoption authorities and then wait for their child's paperwork to be prepared. These parents eagerly and anxiously wait to see their child's picture for the first time - sometimes months or years! However, in the Guang Ming program, these children already have their paperwork prepared and are available for adoption. They are waiting for their families to find them and come and bring them home! These precious kids are in need of families who are paperwork ready so that they don't have to wait any longer to join their forever families.

If you feel that you might have a child waiting for you in China - contact Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org to learn more about getting started in Gladney's Guang Ming program.

Recently in China Adoption News

2011-11-04T10:57:00.011-05:00

CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through August 2, 2006! Congratulations to all of the families who have received referrals!

CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through November 20, 2010.

CCCWA has issued Travel Approvals for three Gladney families in October!

One Gladney Family received their Letter Seeking Confirmation in the month of October.

One Gladney family has travelled to China to complete their adoption!

Congratulations to the Osborn family on the adoption of your precious daughter!

Trick-or-Treat!

2011-11-02T13:17:00.003-05:00

This was J's first time trick-or-treating, looks like he had a blast!

What a pretty butterfly! M came home from China a couple of years ago and can't wait to go trick-or-treating with her little brother or sister one day!

Upcoming Asia Waiting Child Webinar

2011-11-01T15:08:00.000-05:00

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next Webinar will be this Wednesday, Nov. 9th at 1pm EST. Be sure to register for the Webinar!

This month we will feature profiles of new children who have been designated to Gladney - so you definitely will want to tune in!

We hope you will be able to join us for our webinar! Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends and family members that may also be interested.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-19T14:41:00.002-05:00

Sarah is a pink superhero this year, and Kathryn is the Queen of the Nile. James's costume did not arrive yet but here he is as he heads off to his middle school camping trip (with a weird flash effect!). We hope everyone is enjoying the autumn! We love to see all the kids' costumes, so please send your Halloween photos--or just photos, if you don't celebrate Halloween or don't have costumes yet!--to Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Upcoming Asia Waiting Child Webinar

2011-10-10T15:16:00.000-05:00

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next Webinar will be this Wednesday, Oct. 12th at 1pm EST. Be sure to register for the Webinar!

We hope you will be able to join us for our webinar! Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends and family members that may also be interested.

Visitors from Shanghai

2011-09-23T15:19:00.006-05:00

Last week, a delegation of 5 adoption officials from Shanghai visited Gladney’s Fort Worth office and New York office! The Shanghai officials were able to learn about Gladney’s US domestic and international adoption programs.

In Fort Worth, Gladney welcomed the Shanghai delegation with a tour of the Gladney Center Fort Worth campus. The staff gave the delegation a very Texan welcome by showing them the Historic Stockyards and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. They ended the day at the Texas Rangers baseball game!

In New York, Gladney held a reception to welcome the Shanghai delegation and was joined by families adopting children from Shanghai as well as families who had previously adopted children from Shanghai. The families were excited and honored to meet the officials face-to-face to have the chance to learn more about their children’s environment before coming to the US. The delegation reported that they were happy to see such caring parents and that the adopted children are living healthy and happy lives.

The Johnsons picking up their daughter, Ava, in Shanghai.

Gladney’s partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Home began in March 2011. If you would like to learn more about Gladney’s partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Home, please visit here or contact April.Uduhiri@gladney.org. You can also read stories about the joy these children bring to the parents everyday through the Asia Waiting Child program.

Visit from Heilongjiang Officials

2011-09-22T16:10:00.002-05:00

Last Friday, Sept. 16th, the Gladney Asia Program had a breakfast reception to welcome several officials from Heilongjiang Province. Also attending the breakfast were children who had been adopted from Heilongjiang, including the cute twins above!

Reception in NYC for Heilongjiang Officials

2011-09-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

Gladney Center for Adoption cordially invites families who have adopted from Heilongjiang Province to join us for a welcome breakfast as adoption officials from Heilongjiang will be visiting Gladney’s New York office on Sept. 16th. We are very excited to host the officials and would love to see many families at the reception!

The officials are on a limited travel schedule and so we will be hosting an informal breakfast reception for them at 9am on Friday morning, the 16th of September. They are especially looking forward to seeing children adopted from Heilongjiang as they are very interested in the welfare of the children after they are adopted. This is a great opportunity to show them how much the kids thrive in loving families!

Gladney Center for Adoption is located at 363 7th Ave, 3rd floor (corner of 7th Ave and 30th St) in Manhattan, near Penn Station.

Please RSVP to April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org or 212.868.4564.

Back To School In Brooklyn!

2011-09-12T11:47:00.004-05:00

In many parts of the country, kids have been back in school for weeks already, but James, Kathryn and Sarah just started back last Thursday! James is in middle school now and Kathryn and Sarah are in first grade. Their first days back all went great, and they also enjoyed their first soccer games this weekend and celebrating Sarah's sixth birthday! If you would like to share your back-to-school photos on the blog, please send them to Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org. Happy Fall everyone!

NYC Reception for Shanghai Officials

2011-09-02T13:02:00.003-05:00

Gladney Center extends an invitation to all adoptive families in the area with children from Shanghai, China, as well as pre-adoptive families who would like to learn more about Gladney Center’s Waiting Child partnership with the Shanghai Children’s Home.

It has been 15 years since a delegation from Shanghai has visited the United States and this reception allows US families the chance to share with Shanghai adoption officials the well-being and successes of their children as they have grown through the years.

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 19th, 6-8pm

WHERE: Gladney Center for Adoption, 363 Seventh Ave., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001

Refreshments will be served. Cost is $30 per family.

For more information and to register please click HERE. Please register early and mail payment before September 12. Space is limited and thus registration will close on September 13, 2011.

FCC NY Event

2011-08-30T14:49:00.002-05:00

The Greater NY chapter of Families with Children from China (FCC) will be presenting "A Lecture by Professor David Smolin: The Missing Girls of China". The lecture will be held on Friday, Sept. 9th from 6-9pm at The National Arts Club in New York, NY. The event is open to FCCNY members, as well as non-members.

Professor Smolin will speak to and analyze the present impact on international adoption of China's "one-child policy" and other policies, and present his views on possible solutions.

To learn more about the event or to register, please visit FCC's website. The online registration deadline is Sept. 5th.

Save the Date - Visitors from Shanghai!

2011-08-18T14:22:00.007-05:00

Gladney Center for Adoption is honored to host 5 officials from Shanghai next month! Representatives from the Shanghai Children’s Home (SCH) and local government will be travelling to the US to meet with agencies and families to learn more about the adoption process from the other side of the globe.

Gladney will hold two events, one in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area on Wednesday, Sept. 14th and another in NYC on Monday, Sept. 19th to welcome our visitors. The officials are also excited to mingle with families who have adopted from China, as well as families that are interested in adopting through Gladney’s Shanghai Children’s Home partnership program.

Director Gongzhan Wu and Asia Program Caseworker Lindsay Hatcher meet children from SCH’s foster care program.

Gongzhan and Lindsay outside of SCH with one of the social workers.

Additional information about the two events will be provided within the next week. We look forward to having many adoptive families join us in welcoming these special visitors!

2011-08-15T11:28:00.004-05:00

Sarah, James and Kathryn have been having a busy, fun summer in NYC! The three had their older cousin from Germany taking care of them in July and he took these pictures of Sarah on the beach at Coney Island, James on the subway, and Kathryn relaxing at home. The whole family enjoyed a trip to Fire Island in July and will be going to Mohonk Mountain House at the end of August. Right now the sibs are all in day camp and having a lot of fun!

Please send your Summer Fun pictures to mary.chapman@gladney.org to be posted on the blog!

Whitney Enjoys Turks & Caicos!

2011-08-04T11:46:00.002-05:00

Our family enjoyed a quick trip to Turks & Caicos. Whitney sure enjoyed her time in the water and playing on the beach.

Family Fun Time!

2011-07-26T10:47:00.002-05:00

Keira, who came home through Gladney's Asia Waiting Child Program last year, met her cousin Mikey for the first time this 4th of July - they instantly became fast friends! The cousins spent their time together celebrating the 4th with a family BBQ in New Jersey.

If you would like to share your summer photos and adventures, please email Mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Summer Days

2011-07-22T08:42:00.002-05:00

Tessa (age 3) and Emma (age 10) are spending their summer in Chicago swimming, playing at the park, taking dance classes and eating lots of ice cream!

If you have summer photos you would like to share, please email them to Mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Madeleine - One Year Later

2011-07-20T11:08:00.001-05:00

7/15/2011 Houston, TX: “One year ago today we were called by Gladney with the great news of our referral! Here are our referral pictures, along with a picture taken of Madeleine today.”

MOCA Dragon Boat Festival Family Day - NYC

2011-07-15T09:04:00.003-05:00

We wanted to let all of our China families know about this fun, family event happening next weekend!

WHAT: Dragon Boat Festival Family Day

WHEN: Sunday, July 31st - 10:00am - 5:00pm

WHERE: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., New York, NY 10013

The day-long festival includes:

Performance and Storytelling with Mingmei Yip
Poetry Workshop with Janet Wong
Family Friendly Tours
Drop in Arts and Crafts

Visit MOCA's website for more details! Admission is $10 or free for MOCA Members and children aged 1 yr or under.

Waiting Child Webinar

2011-07-11T10:27:00.004-05:00

Will you be joining us for our next Waiting Child Webinar that will be held this Wednesday, July 13th at 1pm EST?

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. This informative webinar will focus on the process of adopting a waiting child from China. The webinar will provide an overview of Gladney's program as well as share photos of available children. You will get a detailed explanation of the Application and paperwork process involved with adopting internationally. Also, each month we will feature different children, with a variety of ages and special needs, who are available for adoption. At the end of each webinar we offer time for attendees to ask questions and will provide contact information for you to follow up with one of Gladney's Asia Program Staff.

Be sure to register today!

4th of July Fun!

2011-07-06T11:06:00.003-05:00

We hope everyone had a festive and fun 4th of July weekend!

Kathryn and Sarah spent the 4th of July with their family, including Mom, Dad, big brother James and their Grandparents, picnicking in Manhattan!

Whitney spent the holiday sailing with her family!

How did your family spend the 4th of July weekend? If you would to share your July 4th photos, please email them to Mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Summer Has Arrived!

2011-06-28T09:10:00.007-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

All Gladney families are gearing up for a busy summer season! This year Grace, who came home in the spring of 2010, will be spending her second 4th of July with her family in NY. Last year, she celebrated her first Independence Day with her mom and dad at the beach.

What are your family's plans for the summer? Will you visit the beach like Grace? Will you spend time with special friends?

Will you have a lobster feast?

We would love to hear all about your summer adventures! Please send your summer stories and photos to mary.chapman@gladney.org. We will post the stories and photos throughout the summer - we can't wait to see what all of our Gladney families are up to!

Call for Stories and Pictures by the CCCWA (formerly known as CCAA)

2011-06-15T15:30:00.003-05:00

TO ALL ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FROM CHINA

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS JUNE 20, 2011

On the occasion of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the founding of China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) in Beijing, China, there will be a series of activities to celebrate adoption. As part of the celebratory activities the CCCWA would like to introduce inter-country adoption to even more people throughout China, as well as internationally. It is the hope of the CCCWA to educate as many people as possible that it is in the best interests of the orphaned children to be raised within a loving family.

The CCCWA has asked Gladney and other US adoption agencies to reach out to their adoptive families for stories that highlight the opportunities, reflections, achievements and accomplishments of the children. Each story should be accompanied by 5-6 photos of the adopted child at different stages of their growth.

Gladney would like to collect these stories over the next few days (deadline Monday, June 20, 2011) so that we can forward them to CCCWA in time for the beginning of their celebrations later this month.

Thank you for participating in honoring CCCWA on its 15th anniversary!

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO: mary.chapman@gladney.org

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAIL SUBMISSIONS, PLEASE SEND THEM TO:

Gladney Center for Adoption

363 Seventh Ave., 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10001

Please send questions to mary.chapman@gladney.org.

China Monthly Update - June 2011

2011-06-13T12:57:00.010-05:00

Referral and Program Update:

The CCCWA has issued referrals through 6/30/06 and dossiers have been reviewed through 11/30/10.

We have 1 family with an LID of 6/28/06 who received their referral in the most recent batch! Congratulations to this family!

We currently have 1 family in China adopting their daughter and 2 more families will be traveling later this month to complete their adoptions. The children will be returning to the states of Texas, Tennessee and New York in time to enjoy the hot summer months ahead - with plenty of pool and sprinkler time!

Gladney Staff Trip to Asia:

Two Gladney staff spent time in China and Taiwan during May and the early part of June. Gongzhan Wu, Gladney's VP and Managing Director, had the chance to meet with government officials and orphanages in the provinces of Beijing, Shanghai and Changsha. The Standard Child program continues to remain stable, although the lengthy wait times are expected to remain. The CCCWA continues to focus their efforts on finding homes for Waiting Children who are healthy and older or who have medical conditions.

Gongzhan and Lindsay also had the opportunity to visit a regional foster care station in the Shanghai district and meet some of the children currently living in foster families in China. These regional stations act as a hub to provide services to families who are providing care for the children in areas that are distant from the orphanage.

This little girl smiled ear to ear (as did her foster family) when we looked through the photos sent by her prospective adoptive family! She will be adopted through Gladney's Waiting Child partnership with the Shanghai Children's Home.

Lindsay will join this week's Waiting Child webinar on Wednesday at 1pm EST and talk about her recent trip and some of the waiting children she had a chance to meet. You can register for the webinar HERE. We are also planning to record the webinar and will make it available on Gladney's Asia Waiting Child Website.

Dragon Boat Festival - June 6, 2011:

The Dragon Boat Festival is an important festival in China that is now recognized as a national holiday. It falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Lunar Calendar - which was June 6th this year. There are several different myths as to how the festival came to be, including the story of Qu Yuan, one of the first great Chinese poets who drowned on the 5th day of the 5th month. Festivities usually include eating rice dumplings called "zongzi", drinking realgar wine and racing dragon boats! Health and wellness are also heavily promoted during the festival and many will follow traditional methods of warding off disease - such as wearing a perfumed medicine bag.

To the ancient Chinese, dragons were thought to be benevolent spirits who controlled the rain and water. Racing dragon boats originated to simulate a dragon fight in the heavens in order to appease the dragon deity - which in turn would bring rain to make the crops flourish. Dragon boats are long, wooden boats that require teams of rowers to propel them through the water. A drummer sits at the front of the boat to help keep time for the rowers.

China Monthly Update - May 2011

2011-05-06T15:41:00.005-05:00

Referral and Program Update:
The CCCWA has issued referrals through 6/20/06 and Dossiers have been reviewed through 9/30/10.

Last week we had 2 families in our Waiting Child Program receive their Letter Seeking Confirmation. Congratulations to those families! Our next LID for our standard program is 6/28/06. We have 6 families with referrals who are waiting for their Travel Approvals to be issued. Once each family's Travel Approval is issued they will begin working with Gladney toward their individual travel plans for a 2 week stay in China. Some of the families may be able to join up for the final week in Guangzhou, depending on when Travel Approvals are all received!

Gongzhan Wu, VP and Managing Director, is currently in Asia and is planning to visit the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. He will also be visiting Taiwan. Later this month our Asia program caseworker and Taiwan program coordinator, Lindsay Hatcher, will join Gongzhan to visit orphanages and local adoption officials in both China and Taiwan.

Have you considered adopting a boy?

Most (but not all!) children adopted through the "standard" China program are little girls - but did you know that there are many little boys with mild to moderate special needs available for adoption from China? On the shared database there are currently 1110 profiles of boys (as compared to 416 girl profiles).

Love Without Boundaries has compiled a brief video that captures the joy of little boys - and reminds us that these little guys need to grow up in homes with Moms and Dads to hug and chase them! Boys available for adoption are all ages! 1-3 years old; 4-7 years old; and 8+. If you can imagine these little guys growing up through these stages and want to be a home and family for a waiting child who happens to be a boy - please let us know!

To review and consider adoption profiles of boys available through Gladney's Waiting Child Program (shared database as well as designated profiles), please let your caseworker know! Our next Waiting Child Webinar on May 11th at 1pm EST will highlight boys available for adoption. Be sure to register today!

China Program - News for this Week

2011-04-26T14:20:00.007-05:00

China Waiting Child Program:

Today we have just posted three new children available for adoption to our photolist page on our Asia Waiting Child blog! The children are all in the Shanghai Children's Home. If you have not yet visited our photolist page and are in need of the password, please email mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Taiwan Infant/Toddler Program:
Gladney Center's program with New Hope Social Welfare Foundation in Taiwan offers parents the opportunity to adopt a Chinese child who is healthy or who may have minor medical needs. To learn about program requirements click here.

Gladney Center will be hosting a webinar on May 2nd at 7:30pm EST and again on May 11th at 2pm EST to provide an overview of the process of adopting a baby through our New Hope program. Click here to register for the May 2nd webinar and click here to register for the May 11th webinar.

Some families have asked whether they can enter the New Hope Taiwan program while keeping their dossier in the China program. For some families, especially families in the 'standard' China program who have extended waits to be matched, this is a possibility that can be discussed based on a family's individual circumstances.

March 2011 CCCWA Guidelines:
If you are in Gladney Center's China program, your caseworker will be in contact with you within the next 1-2 weeks to go over some of the changes the CCCWA has made to the post-adoption reporting requirements.

There have also been some changes made to the home study process that will apply to certain families who will be filing their dossiers beginning this fall. If your dossier has already been filed with the CCCWA, the home study changes do not affect your adoption. Your caseworker will also be able to answer any other questions you may have about the program.

Looking for Asia Adoption Options?

2011-04-19T16:28:00.001-05:00

We have exciting news in our Taiwan program –Gladney’s infant/toddler program is moving forward and accepting 20 families as we have begun a partnership with New Hope Social Welfare Foundation, a newly licensed foundation in Taiwan. This is an opportunity for families hoping to adopt infants and toddlers from an Asian country! Due to the long wait with other international adoption programs, dual tracking may be considered on a case by case basis.

Gladney estimates an approximate 8-14 month wait from home study completion/translation to child referral with the Taiwan New Hope program. Time frames are estimates as the program is a birth parent selection program. After referral it will take an additional 8 months to complete the Taiwan court process and then families will travel to Taiwan to met their child and complete the U.S. immigration processing.

Interested in learning more? Visit Gladney’s website at http://www.gladney.org/ for program details and adoptive parent requirements. Families who request an online information packet and complete an information sheet will receive a follow up email or phone call by a Gladney staff member.

In the NYC area? Gladney’s NYC Office will be hosting two information sessions- on Wednesday, April 20th from 12 to 1 pm and Thursday, April 28th from 6 to 7 pm. Interested families should RSVP with lindsay.hatcher@gladney.org.

NY Families- Interested in Learning More About Taiwan Adoption?

2011-04-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Gladney is currently accepting approximately 20 applications for our Taiwan infant/toddler adoption program. Based on family situation and program requirements, prospective adoptive parents may have the option to dual track with a China and Taiwan adoption program. Gladney's New York office will hold two one-hour information sessions for families to learn more about the program. When: Wednesday, April 20th from 12 to 1 pm or Thursday, April 28th from 6 to 7 pm Where: Gladney NYC Office 363 7th Avenue (between 30th and 31st Street) 3rd Floor NY, NY 10001 Space is limited. Please RSVP to lindsay.hatcher@gladney.org. **For further program details and requirements, please visit our website at www.gladney.org.

Spring Comes To Brooklyn

2011-04-11T10:00:00.008-05:00

Kathryn and Sarah are enjoying gymnastics, chess tournaments, and a "playground inquiry" unit in social studies this spring. Please send pictures of your child enjoying spring to sbrueckel@gmail.com.

Happy Spring, everyone! You can also send pictures of your celebration of the upcoming spring holidays!

Adoption & Family Conference - This Weekend!

2011-04-08T09:55:00.006-05:00

Gladney Center will be an exhibitor at the Ametz Adoption Conference this weekend. During the long wait in the standard China Program - if any families are interested in learning about our Taiwan Program - our lead Taiwan caseworker will be at this conference. Taiwan offers families interested in adopting from Asia the opportunity to adopt children of all ages, including babies and toddlers. We would like to welcome an additional 20 families into our baby/toddler program and have openings for families to apply at this time. It is possible to pursue an adoption from Taiwan while waiting for referral in the China Program. We monitor progress so that there is at least one year between adoptive placements. Adoption and the Family Conference Sunday, April 10, 9am-5pm The Conference Center 130 East 59th Street, NYC For more information go to: http://www.jccany.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=106241

April 5, 2011 -- The Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival is a Combination of Sadness & Happiness

2011-04-07T11:29:00.008-05:00

The Qingming Festival is the most important day of sacrifice. It is a time to honor ancestors who have passed away. On each Qingming Festival, cemeteries are crowded with family members who come to sweep tombs and offer sacrifices. In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy the hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. People love to fly kites during the Qingming Festival and during this festival people fly kites not only during the day, but also at night. A string of little lanterns tied onto the kite or the thread look like shining stars, and therefore, are called "god's lanterns".

Gladney Cowgirls visit the Rodeo!

2011-04-04T14:49:00.003-05:00

Big sister Isabelle got to take her new little sister Madeleine to the Rodeo for the first time this year. Madeleine came home through Gladney's China Program last November. These cowgirls had a blast!

Gladney Center is Partnered with Shanghai Children's Home for Adoptive Child Placements

2011-03-24T15:53:00.003-05:00

The Shanghai Children's Home (SCH) is a well-regarded child welfare institution. Various diplomats and their spouses have been invited to SCH to learn about institutional care settings in China. SCH is a well-staffed campus that delivers comprehensive care, medical services and education to children of all ages.

Gladney's partnership with SCH was formalized earlier this year and has been approved by the Shanghai Social Welfare Center, Shanghai's Children's Adoption Center, and the China Centre for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA - previously known as CCAA). Gladney's partnership with SCH follows upon a 15 year history of close relations. Gongzhan Wu, VP & Managing Director, was born and raised in Shanghai. Gladney's first China adoptions were children placed from SCH. Gongzhan travels to China several times each year and almost each trip includes a visit to the Shanghai Children's Home.

Please join us tonight, 8pm EST, to learn more about Gladney's partnership with Shanghai Children's Home and the children who are currently available to be adopted. Register here.

Special Gladney Webinar - China Waiting Child Adoption Program & March 2011 Superkids Trip to Shanghai Children's Home

2011-03-15T14:13:00.003-05:00

Please join us for this special webinar featuring two child development therapists who recently visited the Shanghai Children's Home for a one-week trip to train orphanage staff and meet some of the children available for adoption through Gladney's Waiting Child Program. This webinar will be a wonderful first-hand account by Pat Marcus who is an occupational therapist, and Kathy deMaCarty who is a speech therapist, about all they did during the course of this important trip sponsored by Gladney's Superkids Charity.

The webinar will be held on Thursday, March 24th at 8pm EST. Space is limited so be sure to register today!

Proper Nutrition: The Key to Your Child's Success

2011-03-04T15:27:00.000-05:00

Please join The Nutrition Twins as they share secrets that will help you to enhance your child’s life. The Twins will discuss the importance of proper nutrition and how it will affect every aspect of your child’s well-being. By providing the right foods, you can help him or her to flourish. You’ll be encouraged as you learn that by helping your children to choose the best foods and nutrients in specific combinations, your child’s growth and development will be optimized and your child’s focus, performance and behavior will greatly improve. That’s right, by providing your child with the right nutrients you can assist him or her in receiving high grades, becoming a better athlete, playing better with others and preventing tantrums!

The sisters will also share practical tips and simple changes that you can make in your family’s diet that will enrich the quality of all of your lives. You will feel empowered as you realize that a few simple dietary changes can have a great impact on your child’s life.

Brought to you by Gladney Center for Adoption - Pathways Training.

Gladney featured in China Daily News Article

2011-02-08T14:51:00.003-05:00

China Daily News recently did an article about how Chinese adoptees celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. Gladney's Asia Program's own Wendy Stanley was quoted in the article and our New York Chinese New Year Party was mentioned. Check out the article here!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-03T11:07:00.007-05:00

This past weekend Gladney's Asia Program Staff celebrated the Chinese New Year with many Gladney families in NYC. There were a variety of activities including crafts, a scavenger hunt, traditional Chinese dancing, a lion and dumpling making. We all had a great time ringing in the Year of the Rabbit! Below are some pictures from the celebration!

We would love to see how your family celebrated the New Year, please send your stories and photos to Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org to be included on the blog!

Gladney's NY Chinese New Year Party!

2011-02-01T15:15:00.007-05:00

A wonderful time was had by Kathryn, Sarah, their grandparents, and their mom, Stephanie, at the NYC Chinese New Year party this past Saturday. There were wonderful performances, including graceful Laurel Project dancers and an awesome Lion Dance, as well as a fun magic show! Then it was on to dining on Chinese and Western food and a fantastic array of activities. Kathryn and Sarah especially enjoyed the dumpling making, as shown in the pictures above, and the crafts room with Wendy from the New York Office! At the end of the festivities they posed happily with their gorgeous painted faces on the subway platform.:-) Have a wonderful Year of the Rabbit, everyone!

Snow Falls In Brooklyn!

2011-01-22T17:53:00.004-05:00

Kathryn and Sarah played in some fresh Brooklyn snow on a very cold January Saturday. Kathryn just turned 6, and Sarah is 5. Both girls were adopted through Gladney's China Waiting Child Program. For more information on the Waiting Child Program, please visit this site.

It's a Winter Wonderland for Mika!

2011-01-13T10:26:00.003-05:00

Who says winter is no fun?! Mika, who came home from China last summer, recently enjoyed her first Christmas with her big sister. Mom reports that Mika is enjoying life, her dog....and skiing too! Mika will be hitting the slopes again this weekend and can hardly wait!

Send your Winter Wonderland stories and pictures to share on the blog to Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Waiting Child Webinar has been Rescheduled!

2011-01-11T13:46:00.002-05:00

Due to inclement weather in NYC, Gladney's NY office will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 12th, therefore the live Asia Waiting Child Webinar that was scheduled has been canceled. The Webinar has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 19th at 1:00pm EST. Please be sure to Register for the Webinar! If you had already registered for the Webinar scheduled for the 12th, you will need to re-register for the new Webinar.

The Asia Waiting Child Webinars focus on Gladney's Asia Waiting Child Program. Participants are walked through the process of adopting through Gladney's Asia Waiting Child Program. Photos and information on waiting children who are currently available for adoption is also shared during the Webinar. There is also a Question and Answer session at the end of the Webinar.

Live Information Meeting Tomorrow!

2011-01-10T09:55:00.002-05:00

The Gladney Asia Program Staff will be hosting a live Information Meeting in our NYC office tomorrow, Tuesday, January 11th at 6:30pm. This meeting will offer prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to learn about all of Gladney's International Adoption Programs, including our Asia Waiting Child Program. This is a great way to meet our staff and to speak with them one-on-one to get all of your questions answered. It's not too late to Register for tomorrow's meeting!

In addition to in person Information Meetings we also offer a live Asia Waiting Child Webinar each month. Our next webinar will be this Wednesday, January 12th at 1:00pm EST. This webinar will focus on our Asia Waiting Child Program, giving prospective adoptive parents an overview of the program. We will also share photos and information on several waiting children who are currently available for adoption. It's not too late to Register for the webinar!

Gladney's NY Chinese New Year Party

2011-01-06T16:30:00.003-05:00

We are excited to announce our 2011 Annual Chinese New Year Party in New York, NY for Gladney families! The party will be on Saturday, Jan. 29th from 2-5pm. This year's party will be held in a new location and is going to offer some exciting activities. Be sure to check out all of the event details and to register today! Space is limited so be sure to register by Friday, Jan. 21st! We hope to see many of our Gladney families there!

Save the Date - Gladney's Chinese New Year Parties!

2010-12-28T13:09:00.003-05:00

SAVE THE DATE!

Gladney will be hosting 3 Chinese New Year Parties this year!

Fort Worth, TX - Saturday, January 22

Houston, TX - Sunday, January 23

New York, NY - Saturday, January 29

We are excited for these celebrations and thankful for the help of Gladney parents in organizing these parties! Gongzhan Wu, Asia Programs Director, will be attending all three parties and is looking forward to seeing many families! If you have any questions regarding the TX parties, please contact Wendy Lee at wendy.lee@gladney.org. If you have questions or would like to volunteer for the NYC party please contact Amy Lee at mom2kl@gmail.com.

We hope that your family will be able to join us as we jump into the year of the Rabbit!

Candy Cane Girls!

2010-12-24T16:13:00.005-05:00

Sarah, Kathryn and Whitney (from left to right in the photos) had a holiday season get-together in Manhattan recently. Whitney and Kathryn have known each other since China, when their parents traveled together to adopt them! This was almost five years ago this coming February! The girls' moms are good friends and it's great that the girls get to see each other. The next meet-up will be in Chinatown for Chinese New Year! Happy Holidays!

China Referral Update

2010-12-20T14:18:00.002-05:00

CCAA has processed referrals for families with Log In Dates through 5/29/06. CCAA has reviewed dossiers for families with Log In Dates through 11/30/09.

Gladney received 4 referrals on Friday, which included our families with LIDs of 5/26/06. Congratulations to these families!

The referrals were all little girls from Jiangxi Province ranging in age from 9 months to almost exactly a year old.

We currently have 4 families in China completing their adoptions and will be home later this week, just in time to celebrate Christmas as a family!

Ella and Dean Make Their First Visit to Santa!

2010-12-15T16:05:00.002-05:00

Ella's and Dean's mom was so happily surprised that the sister and brother finally agreed to pose with Santa! Previous attempts had not been successful. Ella is 4 and was adopted through Gladney's China program. Dean is 2.5. The family reside in Texas, where Ella is busy with her first school experience, and both she and Dean enjoy gymnastics at The Little Gym, where this photo was taken!

Ruby's First Christmas

2010-12-14T15:39:00.002-05:00

Ruby, adopted from China this past spring through Gladney's Asia Waiting Child Program, is about to experience her first Christmas! As you can imagine, this is an exciting time for Ruby as she experiences this new tradition with her family. Her first visit to Santa, her time baking Christmas cookies, her first time singing Christmas carols, her first Christmas morning waking up to see what Santa has left her.

Ruby's dad sent the below message to our Asia Waiting Child Program Staff to share how Ruby has been doing since coming home.

"I just wanted to let you all know that Ruby is experiencing her first Christmas! She places Santa at the top of her "Dear God" blessings at bedtime. Ruby is 6 years old and has been in the US now for 6 months. We have her enrolled in a private school where is excelling. She loves to dress up in pretty clothes; she adores other children; is kind, very considerate and always very cheerful. She is an absolute joy to us and to all our extended family and friends. She would want us to wish you all a very Merry Christmas."

Imagine the joy this family will feel on this very special first Christmas! If you have any "first Christmas" or "first Hanukkah" stories that you would like to share on our blog, please email Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org. Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from James, Kathryn, and Sarah!

2010-12-10T12:40:00.003-05:00

James,aged 10 and in 5th grade, Kathryn, almost 6 and in kindergarten, and Sarah, aged 5 and also in kindergarten, got to play hooky from school for an afternoon on Dec. 1st to go to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with Mom Stephanie. They loved the show--and also the Rockette bears and wooden soldier hat they acquired! Afterwards we walked over to Rockefeller Center to look at the tree.

Kathryn and Sarah were both adopted from China through Gladney's Waiting Child program. If you would like to learn more about this wonderful option, please contact April Lerch or visit our new Waiting Child website at this link.

We wish everyone a joyous holiday season!

Welcome Home Madeleine!

2010-12-06T11:05:00.003-05:00

One of our families from TX just returned home over the weekend from China, where they met their daughter Madeleine. See what the family had to say about meeting their precious daughter. Welcome home Madeleine!

"China has been a unique experience so far, and we're trying to enjoy every minute of it. Today was "Gotcha Day"! A long journey has finally led us to Madeleine. Overwhelmed with joy the first time we saw her this afternoon! She is so sweet and instantly became part of our family. She is happy, active and "talking". "

International & Waiting Child Programs Information Session

2010-12-02T10:10:00.002-05:00

Gladney will be hosting an Information Session on our International and Waiting Child Programs this Saturday, Dec. 4th at 10:30am in our NY office located at 363 Seventh Ave., 3rd Floor in Manhattan. This Information Session will be presented by Gladney Staff and is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about our International or Waiting Child Programs.

To register for this Information Session or to see a schedule of upcoming Information Sessions please visit this link. We hope to see you there!

Waiting Child Update

2010-11-30T12:56:00.002-05:00

CCAA's shared list was updated in the evening of Monday, November 22nd. Many new profiles of children newly available for International Adoption were added to the list and two children were locked for Gladney families, a girl and a boy both under 16 months! Families received an extra Thanksgiving blessing this year as they were able to put a face to their prayers!

The shared list is updated approximately once a month with profiles of children that are available and waiting to be adopted internationally. Register for Gladney's Waiting Children webinar for more information on how to adopt a waiting child from China.

Hello from China!

2010-11-17T14:45:00.006-05:00

Last week Sara, a Gladney mom from Florida, met her daughter for the first time. They were matched through the Waiting Child program. It is wonderful to hear from them!

Ni hao from China!!! Mia's gotcha day was 11/8/10 and her adoption was finalized in terms of the Chinese government on 11/9/10, which for me, was the most unforgetable birthday that I have ever had or will ever have. Mia is more unbelievable than imaginable - she is beautiful and funny, and the most loving and lovable creature in the world. She is very, very small, but she gets stronger by the day and the only time that we have seen her mood sour is if she is hungry - she eats like a horse. Today, she turned over by herself for the first time, and she is working on pulling herself up, and she loves to practice walking when I am holding her hands to steady her. To me, she could not be more perfect!

Rachael Turns 3!

2010-11-09T09:51:00.004-05:00

Rachael from Jiangxi province turned 3 last month....growing up is lots of fun!!

China Waiting Children Webinar

2010-11-05T08:32:00.002-05:00

Please join us for our next China Waiting Child Webinar that will be held on November 10th at 1pm EST. This webinar will focus on the process of adopting a waiting child from China. We will also be sharing photos of children who are current available for adoption. To register for the webinar please visit this link.

China Program Monthly Update

2010-10-15T08:58:00.007-05:00

Referral Update:
The CCAA has issued referrals to families with Log In Dates through 5/18/06. As we reported last week, in this last batch of referrals Gladney had 3 families receive referrals. Congratulations to these families who are all coming into the office today for their travel meeting!

The CCAA has reviewed dossiers through 11/30/09.

We currently have two families traveling in China who will be returning home to NY and FL soon. Welcome home to these families!

CCAA Delegation Visit:
A delegation of about 20 officials from CCAA and various provinces, including CCAA's Director General, visited the US in September for an educational training trip. The delegation visited NY where Gladney hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival NYC Harbor Cruise for adoptive families. About 400 people joined for this event!! The delegation reported that it was a unique experience for them to see so many families in one setting - with each family enjoying themselves in a casual and interactive setting. Many of the officials were able to meet children from their provinces.

Gladney Asia staff with CCAA Director General Zhang and several officials.

Director General Zhang and delegates meet families.

Lanterns made by the children attending the event decorated the boat.

Adoption Awareness Month:

November is Adoption Awareness Month and there will be numerous events throughout the country for adoptive families to attend. A list of events by state can be found on Adoptive Families Magazine's website.

In New York, the Adoptive Parents Committee (APC) will be holding their 30th Annual Adoption Conference on November 21st at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. Gladney will have a table at the event and several of our staff will present on a few of the panel discussions throughout the day. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Jane Aronson - a speaker you won't want to miss! Please visit APC's website for more information about the conference.

In New Jersey the 29th Annual Let's Talk Adoption Conference will be held on November 6th at Rutgers University. There will be breakout sessions and panels throughout the day for parents to attend. For more information on the conference please visit the official website.

In Dallas on November 13th the local chapter of Families with Children from China (FCC) will hold their Annual Culture Day to celebrate Chinese culture. Visit FCC's website for more information.

Waiting Child Update:

We are working with several families who are open to adopting Waiting Children. As of this update we have 8 families who are matched with children who have special needs. Several of these families will travel by the end of the year to bring their children home.

We are excited to announce that we will be holding a Webinar on Asia Waiting Children on November 10th from 1-2pm EST. As the date for the webinar draws closer we will send out more information about attending. For questions about Waiting Children please contact April Lerch at april.lerch@gladney.org or 212-868-3434.

Next month will be the first issue of Gladney's Waiting Child Newsletter. This newsletter will share information about children with medical needs and older children who are available for adoption through Gladney's International Waiting Child programs.

Cruise Into Fall with the Gladney Black and White Ball

2010-10-08T11:48:00.005-05:00

Gladney looks forward to an evening cruise on the Hudson River under the stars and amidst the impressive nighttime cityscape. This is a night to celebrate family and to support adoption and Gladney. For those of you who may not have received the announcement and invitation from the Gladney Family Association - we would like to share this invitation with all of you. To receive the full invitation announcing a NYC Hudson River Dinner & Dancing cruise/fundraiser on Sunday, October 16th from 6-10pm, along with a RSVP card, please email or call Wendy Lee, GFA Director, wendy.lee@gladney.org or 817-922-5947.

Asia Program staff, Wendy Stanley and Lindsay Hatcher, will be joining for this event.

Readoption Seminar

2010-10-07T11:53:00.002-05:00

The New York Area Gladney Family Association (GFA) is excited to announce that they will be hosting a second Discussion of International Adoptee Visa and US Citizenship Status Seminar as the first session (scheduled for this month) filled up so quickly. Rebecca L. Mendel, Esq. of Rosin Steinhagen Mendel will give guidance on readoption requirements and will prepare parents for what to expect post-adoption in order to obtain helpful and necessary US documents including Social Security Cards, passports, etc.

The Seminar will be held on November 2nd from 6pm-8pm in Gladney's New York office located at 363 Seventh Ave., 3rd Floor. This Seminar is open to Gladney, as well as non-Gladney families. There is a $10 per attendee fee, however the fee is waived for GFA members. To RSVP, please email Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org. Remaining space is very limited so please RSVP as soon as possible.

China Referrals!

2010-09-29T16:38:00.002-05:00

We are excited to announce that today we received three referrals for Gladney families, all with a LID of May 16, 2006! The children were from Hunan province, between 9 and 18 months of age! Congratulations to the families!

Mid-Autumn NYC Harbor Cruise with CCAA Delegation

2010-09-23T10:26:00.006-05:00

We were so happy that so many families were able to join us for the Mid-Autumn NYC Harbor Cruise with the visiting CCAA delegation this past Sunday, thank you to all of those families who attended! The boat was packed and full of activity! Everyone had a wonderful time and the CCAA delegation was pleased to see so many happy families. Below are a few photos from the day. We would love to have families submit some of their photos from the event and a short paragraph about what the event meant to them to be posted here on the blog. Please email Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Jack's Home!

2010-09-21T10:01:00.006-05:00

Jack continues to amaze us everyday with the things he learns and way he has adjusted. We will forever be grateful to the people who took such good care of him for the three years he was in the orphanage. They created the bright, loving child whose tiny feet patter along the floor of our house. But there is also a light we see in his eyes when we play in his room or we all sit down to dinner that reminds us that children are designed to have a family. We are glad Jack is part of ours.
~ Kay and Jeb

Pool Party With Janet, Julia and Jenna!

2010-08-24T09:14:00.004-05:00

James, Kathryn and I went out to New Jersey this past weekend to visit Janet, Julia and their new daughter and sister, Jenna! We all went to a pool party and the big kids were in the water all afternoon. As you can see from the photos, little Jenna went in the pool for a little while also! It was great to get together with our friends and to meet sweet Jenna! (Sarah opted to stay home for her last tee ball game!).

NYC Mid-Autumn Festival Harbor Cruise with the CCAA - Join Us!!

2010-08-23T10:21:00.004-05:00

On behalf of the National Council for Adoption, we would like to invite all families in the NYC area who have adopted from China or are currently in the process of adopting from China to join us for a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Cruise of the NYC Harbor on Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Our guest of honor on this cruise will be the CCAA Deputy Director and a delegation of 20 adoption officials from the CCAA and local provincial governments.

This cruise will be a wonderful opportunity for families living the NY tri-state area to join with others in reunion, fellowship and support of continuing China adoptions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please click here for more details about the event and to register.

Gladney Center for Adoption, as a member organization of the NCFA, is organizing this event. Please contact Mary Chapman (mary.chapman@gladney.org, 347-574-3320) with any questions about the event or how to register.

China Program Monthly Update - August 2010

2010-08-18T17:28:00.003-05:00

Referrals:
The CCAA updated its website to announce that referrals have been made for families with LIDs through May 15, 2006. Our next Gladney families to receive referrals have LIDs of May 16, 2006 -- we are looking forward to the next batch of referrals!

Dossier review is reported for LIDs through July 31, 2009.

There are two Gladney families currently in China and they will be returning home shortly to Flint, TX and West Chester, PA. One more family who is adopting a baby boy from the waiting child program will be traveling to China later this month. Congratulations to these families!

CCAA Delegation to Visit United States in September:
The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) will be hosting the current CCAA Deputy Director, Mr. Zhang, and several adoption officials from various provinces, for a training program in September. Gladney, as a founding member of the NCFA, is helping to organize some of the events in New York City and Fort Worth, Texas.

SAVE THE DATE! If you live in the NY area, a mid-day NYC Harbor Cruise is being planned for the third weekend of Sept. The cruise is open to all families who have adopted from China or are currently working with a CCAA approved agency to adopt from China. The full announcement will be posted later this week to this blog. The invitation will also be emailed.

SAVE THE DATE! If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, an evening get-together, hosted by the Gladney GFA, in the Stockyards is being planned for Gladney families (families waiting to adopt and families who have completed their adoptions) on Thursday evening Sept. 23rd. The full announcement will be posted on this blog later this week. The invitation will also be emailed.

GFA Announcements:
We are getting close to the beginning of the GFA (Gladney Family Association) calendar year, which means it's GFA Kickoff time! Check in with your local GFA chapter to get the details of their annual kickoff event. The NY Staff will be attending the NY GFA Kickoff Event on Sept. 19th at South Street Seaport, we look forward to seeing many of you there!

If you are interested in becoming involved in your local GFA or if you would just like more information on the GFA please contact Wendy Lee at wendy.lee@gladney.org.

Fun in Jamaica!

2010-08-16T12:04:00.003-05:00

We recently returned from a wonderful trip to Half Moon. Whitney certainly enjoyed the sailing, pony rides, crab hunting and singing with the reggae band!

Children from CCAA's Shared List

2010-07-23T11:29:00.004-05:00

This month, two children were locked for Gladney families during the most recent update on the CCAA shared list. The photos below are both of the children that were locked for families during this last update.

***The China Waiting Children program has many children that are available with varying degrees of correctable and non-correctable medical issues. There are many precious children ready for adoption who are waiting for their forever families. Please contact April Lerch, Waiting Child Coordinator at 212.868.4564 for more information about the China Waiting Children program.***

Gladney will be hosting a Waiting Child webinar next week, Tuesday, July 27 at 7pm EST. This webinar will cover basic information on Gladney's China Waiting Children program. To register for the webinar please go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/508182906

Beach Time!

2010-07-21T14:15:00.003-05:00

Grace models her festive swimsuit while celebrating her first 4th of July home at the beach!

China Monthly Update - July 2010

2010-07-16T09:13:00.002-05:00

Referrals:

Yesterday we received 3 referrals - all healthy little girls from Guangxi province under 12 months of age! These little ones will be coming home in the Fall to their parents in New York, New Jersey and Texas! Congratulations!

Gladney has now received referrals for families with a LID through April 29, 2006. Our next Gladney families to receive referrals have LIDs of May 16, 2006.

The CCAA has not yet updated its website to reflect the new referrals. At this time they are still indicating referrals through April 26, 2006. Dossier review is reported for LIDs through July 31, 2009. When the CCAA updates their website, we will update the blog with the latest referral and dossier review information.

There are currently 5 families in Guangzhou completing their adoptions and ready to return to the US. Congratulations and welcome home!

I-600A Process:

USCIS has changed the way they will be processing all I-600A Applications and Extensions. As of July 1st, any China family still under the I-600A system will be filing their extensions with the National Benefits Center unit of the CIS. This is the same place where all of the Hague I-800A Applications are processed. Families will no longer be filing with, or working with, their individual state offices. Your caseworker will work with you closely when it's time to re-file for your I-600A Extension.

This new procedure will provide uniform processing for all I-600A families. We are excited about this change as we have seen how efficiently the NBC handles the processing for our I-800A families. The processing time is expected to be much faster and more efficient. Additionally, the NBC has a great history of communicating well with families and agencies, so any issues or questions that come up are dealt with quickly. If you have any questions about this new process please be in touch with your caseworker.

GFA's Upcoming Year:

Each local GFA (Gladney Family Association) chapter is beginning to plan their events for the upcoming year. GFA events are a wonderful way to meet and connect with other adoptive families in your area. There are many opportunities for our approved and waiting families to get involved with their local GFA. Most GFA chapters have a big kickoff event in late August or September. If you would like more information about your GFA chapter or would like to become involved in the planning please be in touch with Wendy Lee at wendy.lee@gladney.org or by calling 817-922-5947.

Children from CCAA's Shared List

2010-07-07T10:42:00.013-05:00

We are thrilled to report that seven children were locked for Gladney families during the most recent update on the CCAA shared list. The photos below are some of the children that were locked for families during this last update.

***The China Waiting Children program has many children that are available with varying degrees of correctable and non-correctable medical issues. There are many precious children ready for adoption who are waiting for their forever families. Please contact April Lerch, Waiting Children Coordinator at 212.868.4564 for more information about the China Waiting Children program.***

Little girl, DOB 11/11/08
Little girl, DOB - 9/2/08 Little boy, DOB - 8/17/08

Little boy, DOB - 7/10/08

Little girl, DOB - 7/1/09

Little boy, DOB - 4/11/04

Annual Larchmont Picnic!

2010-06-09T19:22:00.003-05:00

It was good to see many families this past weekend at the Gladney Family Association Picnic in Larchmont NY! Over two hundred were in attendance enjoying the afternoon with friends and family on the grounds of the Larchmont Yacht Club.

It was wonderful to see some of our families who have come home this year with their children from China and Taiwan!

At the picnic Maria Ciringione had a chance to introduce her daughter Grace to Gladney China program staff Wendy Stanley and Mary Chapman. Grace came home to the NY area in April. Grace was adopted through the Waiting Child program.

International Children's Day at the Chinese Consulate!

2010-05-30T08:29:00.006-05:00

On May 29, 2010 the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan, right on the Hudson at 42nd St., hosted a wonderful International Children's Day event! Kathryn, Sarah and James went with their dad and grandparents. (Mom--that's me--was working, unfortunately). Chris, their dad, took some wonderful photos , a sampling of which are below. Dozens of families enjoyed terrific live entertainment, balloons, and a sumptuous repast! It was a wonderful start to the long Memorial Day weekend.:-)

The consul's wife kicked off the festivities from the podium, and Haibo, the World Expo mascot, was a real crowd pleaser!

May 25, 2010, Guangzhou, China...

2010-05-27T09:54:00.004-05:00

GOTCHA!!! Mom Janet and big sister Julia welcome baby sister Jenna to the family. Jenna was adopted through Gladney's Waiting Child Program. For more information on this program, please contact April Lerch at april.lerch@gladney.org. In the meantime...Mom is ecstatic, Julia is proud and happy, and Jenna is beyond adorable!!!