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Northeastern Pennsylvania Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area
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Old 03-27-2009, 05:44 PM
 
Location: The New England part of Ohio
23,515 posts, read 31,184,172 times
Reputation: 66361

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For the past 5 years I have volunteered as the LI coordinator of a hosting program that brings orphaned Ukrainian children to the US for several weeks of fun, recreation and cultural exchange. Although it is hoped that these children will find adoptive families while in the U.S. one does not need to want to pursue adoption in order to participate.

We met our next son this way but at the time we were not interested in adopting any more kids. All of that changed after four weeks with our future son!

Currently as I plan my move, I am wondering if there is any interest in hosting these deserving kids, as I would like to continue my work when I move. I know that there is a fairly large Eastern European population in NEPA.I have found all of the kids to be warm, funny, and very grateful for the smallest bit of generosity!

So if you want to know more or know anyone who does let me know. I can honesly say that this has been one of the most rewarding projects we have undertaken in our life as a family.

In order to participate. you must undergo a local police and child abuse clearence. A translater is available at all times and the children have health insurance.

You also need a REALLY good sence of humor!
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Old 03-27-2009, 06:35 PM
 
Location: Sunshine N'Blue Skies
13,321 posts, read 22,286,977 times
Reputation: 11690
That sounds so wonderful. I have passed this along to family and friends.......
What a fun job you have!! Helping these little ones enjoy their lives to the fullest.......and perhaps with new families....
BTW what ages are these children and how many come to our shores...........
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Old 03-28-2009, 11:18 AM
 
Location: The New England part of Ohio
23,515 posts, read 31,184,172 times
Reputation: 66361
You don't know how much I appreciate that you are spreading the word! It really is a wonderful program and I have seen it change lives - both those of the children and those of the host families! The children are officially ages 5 through 15, with most of the participants falling in the 7-12 age group. We bring about 70 children to the US per year and have a fairly high adoption rate - I am guessing somewhere over 85%. There are coordinators as far north as Buffalo NY down to FLA. NEPA has such wonderful four season recreational oppertunities that I am really hoping to take my work with me! I will get pictures and personality profiles in April and as long as I am settled in by June I will try to have a hosting this summer.
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Old 03-28-2009, 11:56 AM
 
Location: Sunshine N'Blue Skies
13,321 posts, read 22,286,977 times
Reputation: 11690
I have hosted French students and later their families.....
Sounds like this is a younger group. I will try to spread the word around. So Florida to Buffalo...thats a good distance. How exciting for you!! What a heart warming job you have!!
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Old 03-29-2009, 04:12 PM
 
Location: Sunshine N'Blue Skies
13,321 posts, read 22,286,977 times
Reputation: 11690
Ok I have a great, fantastic family for you........located in Raleigh, NC. ........
I'll send you a DM
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Old 03-30-2009, 06:12 PM
 
2,834 posts, read 10,606,948 times
Reputation: 1696
Sheena...there is something similar to that here in the Scranton area but the children come from Russia. I had wanted ot host a child, but the drawback was the time needed to finalize the adoption....you had to go to Russia for 4 weeks. This was not possible for us. I do remember a woman coming into the bank I worked at cashing in her loose change for her trip to Russia to finalize her son's adoption.
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Old 03-30-2009, 09:34 PM
 
Location: The New England part of Ohio
23,515 posts, read 31,184,172 times
Reputation: 66361
Yes Russia requires two trips to finalize the adoption. I am not sure if both parents have to travel or only one. Ukraine adoptions are less costly - there is only one trip involved and Ukraine is a less expensive program, I volunteer BTW and the program I work for is not an adoption agency but they will assist people who want to adopt after hosting.
No international adoption is free but some countries are less costly than others. Money should NOT stand in the way of anyone who really wants to adopt however.
I have compiled a list of over 50 non profit organizations that give loans and out right grants to people who seek to adopt. Some have restrictions for e.g "a grant of $5000 for any family who wants to adopt a boy from Russia between the age of 4-7" or a "grant for peoplr adopting from Kazakhstan" or they may be only for people of a certain religion or region of the country.
If anyone is interested in obtaining the list I would be happy to send it to you just PM me.
BTW I have like 4 bottles of loose change for my next adoption all around the house!
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Old 05-14-2009, 08:41 AM
 
1 posts, read 2,843 times
Reputation: 10
Is there any hosting programs that you know of in Nashville? We might be interested.
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Old 10-01-2009, 09:37 AM
 
Location: The New England part of Ohio
23,515 posts, read 31,184,172 times
Reputation: 66361
If you are willing ti come to NYC to pick up your child I can work with you for the Christmas Hosting Program. Many of the programs are located on the coasts. Ours is the least expensive one I know. We have clients as far away as Texas.
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