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George Needs a Family!

Social and joyful George is waiting for a permanent, loving adoptive family.

At 15 months old, he holds up his head, rolls over and holds objects and toys himself! He is not yet using language and communicates through smiles and facial expressions. He loves to play with his caregivers, who describe him as active, extroverted and always ready with a laugh, especially when he is tickled and teased. He enjoys being around other people and thrives when he is accompanied by someone he loves.

The best fit for George is a caring family that is open to his special needs, including Down syndrome, and that can provide him with the support and resources he will need as he grows up.

Could you or someone you know be the right family for George? To learn more about George, please email waitingchild@holtinternational.org.

 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some adoption-related travel has been delayed. But the need for families is as great as it has ever been. If you are interested in adopting, don’t hesitate to request info or apply today!

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A Miracle for Gracie

Four-year-old Gracie was weeks away from traveling to her adoptive family in the U.S. when COVID-19 hit Haiti. With a heart condition and suppressed immune system, she urgently needed to be on the last known flight leaving Haiti. But no one expected it would take an army of compassion, and a miracle, to get her here.

It was 11:30. The exit letter office closed at noon.

Gracie’s flight — the last known flight leaving Haiti before the country shut down all air travel due to the pandemic — was scheduled to depart at 6 p.m.

Holt’s staff in Haiti had less than four hours to complete her documents so she could be on that flight to Miami, where her dad, Brian, would be waiting for her. Continue reading “A Miracle for Gracie”

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Serving Children and Families In Times of Crisis

In recent weeks, Holt International, like all organizations, has felt the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic — both here in the U.S., and in our programs around the world.

But this is not the first crisis that Holt has weathered in our 64 years of serving children and families.

I think of the Vietnam Babylift in 1975, when our staff in Vietnam worked tirelessly to airlift children to safety as Saigon fell to the north. Or the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, when we helped secure emergency visas for children waiting to join their adoptive families in the U.S.

Through it all, we have never wavered in our mission to ensure a stable, loving home for every child. And although we are humbled by the challenges before us, this current crisis is no different. We stand fully committed to the children and families we serve, and will not rest until every child is safe in the arms of their permanent, loving family, here in the U.S or in the country of their birth.

Continue reading “Serving Children and Families In Times of Crisis”

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International Adoption Not Affected By President’s Immigration Ban

Since April 22, we have heard from a number of families concerned about President Trump’s executive order suspending immigration to the U.S. during the economic recovery period following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holt has now received confirmation that this suspension does not apply to immigration via international adoption. Children can still travel home to the U.S. with their adoptive families, and international adoptions can move forward without delay. Continue reading “International Adoption Not Affected By President’s Immigration Ban”

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Free TBRI ® On-Demand Trainings Through May!

Hi Holt Families!

We hope you are settling into your new responsibilities … like educating children from home, changes at work, keeping tabs on best ways to stay safe and healthy. Let’s be real here – this is A LOT to handle! Stress is high and children are on high alert. For those of you who have adopted recently, you’re still working through the process of attachment, grief, integration and healing. A global health crisis is not making any of it easier. Continue reading “Free TBRI ® On-Demand Trainings Through May!”

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Derek Needs an Adoptive Family!

Derek needs an adoptive family!

Derek is a sweet and shy boy who prefers to be with his caregivers to meeting new people. He loves eating steamed buns and is described as having a “great appetite.”

Derek has hearing impairment in both ears, and hasn’t had access to therapy or learned sign language, so he has difficulty communicating his needs. He also has some other medical needs and a seafood allergy.

Once comfortable, Derek loves to play with toys and sit in the rocking chair. This precious boy needs a family that can provide the love and resources he needs to thrive!

Could you or someone you know be the right family for Derek? For more information and to see more photos and videos, please visit his photolisting profile or email us at waitingchild@holtinternational.org.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, some adoption-related travel has been delayed. But the need for families is as great as it has ever been. If you are interested in adopting, don’t hesitate to request info or apply today!

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Why International Adoption is Still Needed

Until we live in a world where every child can grow up safe and loved  in a permanent, loving family, Holt will continue to provide and advocate for ethical, child-centered international adoption. 

Late last month, our fellow U.S. adoption agency Bethany Christian Services announced their decision not to renew their international adoption accreditation when it expires at the end of March 2021. In a blog post, their vice president of global programs, Kristi Gleason, shared how they prayerfully came to this decision after nearly 40 years of helping children come home to families through international adoption.

“The future of adoption is working with local governments, churches, and social services professionals around the world to recruit and support local families for children and to develop and improve effective, safe in-country child welfare systems,” Gleason wrote. Continue reading “Why International Adoption is Still Needed”

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Charlize Needs a Family!

Could you be the right family for Charlize?

Charlize is a smart and active girl who loves school and is a talented artist.

Charlize came into orphanage care in China when she was 5 years old. When she was 6, she was adopted domestically in China, but her adoptive parents relinquished her back to the orphanage a year and a half later. Now 11, Charlize longs for a permanent, loving family of her own.

Charlize loves school, and though she doesn’t get as much support as she would if she lived in a family, she is succeeding in her classes! She is especially good at languages — Chinese and English — as well as math and art. She gets along well with her teachers and peers, and communicates herself well.

In August 2018, Charlize was reported to have moderate anemia and physical delays, but our social work staff has not seen indications of these delays in her videos or other information.

Charlize has been through several transitions in her young life, but she is brave and full of hope that she will one day have the love and stability of an adoptive family.

Could you be the right family for Charlize? For more information about this brave girl, contact Alycia Fahr-Zarlons at alyciaf@holtinternational.org.