2014 FAMILY REUNION
We are looking forward to your family joining us this summer for the Great Wall China Adoption and Children of All Nations 2014 Family Reunion. Our theme is “T.E.A.M.” – Tell Everyone Adoption Matters, so help us spread the word!
WHEN: Friday June 20th and June 21st 2014 in the greater Austin, Texas area.
WHO: All GWCA/CAN families in all stages of the adoption process are invited (and encouraged) to attend! Pack your suitcases and head on down to the heart of Texas for a fun day by the lake! You’ll have the opportunity to meet our staff as well as fellow adoptive families! This year we are also encouraging potential families to attend; what better way to learn more about adoption than to participate in an event like this? Encourage your friends to join us as well!
WHAT: Friday night we will be attending the Round Rock Express baseball game. Meet us there at 6:30pm. (The ticket to the game is included in your registration.)
Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm we will have picnic and field day events at Brushy Creek Park in Cedar Park, Tx. There is a splash pad, fishing lake, play equipment and hiking trails at the park. We will bring inflatable games, food, and beverages. There will be places to sit, but if you’re not coming by plane, you might want to bring along your lawn chairs, sun umbrellas, yard games, blankets, swimsuits, sun block and anything else you need for a day in the park. If you wish to have additional drinks, please plan to bring your own coolers.
WHERE: Friday – Dell Diamond 400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665. (We will meet at the main home plate entrance.)
Saturday – Brushy Creek Park 2901 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
FOOD: We have recruited our male staff to be the ‘master grillers’. We will have hotdogs for lunch. There will be plenty for all. Soft drinks, juice and water will also be available. (If you are a local family and would like to help donate food, ice chests, tables, etc. please reach out to shannon@gwca.org or april@childrenofallnations.com.)
REGISTRATION: $25 per person.
Registration includes:
Entrance to the Family Reunion
Food and drink at the Reunion
Unlimited access to Inflatable Games
Participation in all other activities and games
One raffle ticket
One ticket to the Round Rock Express Baseball Game(Friday Night)
2014 TEAM GWCA/CAN T-Shirt
And a weekend full of making memories
For information and to register visit our reunion site.
Like our Facebook page for more event updates like this.
If you have any questions, please contact April at 512.323.9595 x 3061, april@childrenofallantions.com or Shannon at ext 3092, shannon@gwca.org.
Read More5 Reasons To Adopt From Honduras
Three is the Magic Number
Six Reasons to Adopt a Sibling Group
1. Adopting siblings is not double the cost. There are several areas that fees will be double but many that won’t. If you are considering adopting more than one child, it is still a financially reasonable adoption option to consider.
2. You are helping multiple children find a new beginning.
3. The children will feel less alone in the process and can lean on each other for support.
4. Children are able to maintain their “roles” in birth order, which is a benefit in their identity formation.
5. It allows children to see a familiar face and hear their own language, so there is less difficulty for them in the transition process.
6. You give and receive twice, three times, or greater love than when you adopt just one child. More love to go around is always better!
What to Expect
Six Reasons to Adopt an Older Child
1. Most of these kids understand what it means to be adopted and have a family, and they want it more than anything in the world.
2. Most of these kiddos are already in school and can be evaluated much more in depth 
cognitively.
3. Attachment can also be evaluated based on relationships built with caretakers, peers, or foster family.
4. Because the child is older it’s much easier to define their special need (if any) than with an infant.
5. All of the countries that CAN works with have older children available and ready for adoption.
6. You are helping to save a child’s future!
What to Expect
Older children are a wonderful addition to a family. There is typically a longer adjustment process. Keep in mind your older child has had life before this. It’s an abrupt change and requires adjustment to a whole new world. It is important to be patient and seek counseling before, during and after your trip to better understand the phases your child may endure.
Feel free to reach out to our international adoption consultant
Lacee@childrenofallnations.com to learn how to bring your child home now.
Five Reasons to Adopt From Ukraine
2. Beautiful boys and girls typically ages 9 and up with minor special needs are ready and waiting to be adopted.
Expect the Unexpected
With adoption in particular, things are often not what they seem they should be, whether it’s rules and regulations, eligibility restrictions, understanding what makes a Waiting Child or who, where and why a child is even up for adoption. The most important thing to remember when adopting is having realistic expectations, as you never know exactly how the process will go.
At CAN we strive to provide the most realistic expectations for our families to help them make the best decisions for their family. We try to encourage families to ask as many questions as possible so we can provide them with all the information that we do have, or direct them in the right direction for the best answers. It is very important that we discuss each child specifically so everyone understands the best and worst case scenarios that could occur for a particular child. Our goal is for a family to feel as prepared as possible to be the best family for their child.Community Outreach for National Adoption Month
In celebration of National Adoption Month our staff at Children of All Nations and Great Wall China Adoption engaged in community outreach projects around Austin, Texas.
Adoption Knowledge Association
Staff members manned a booth for families to explore the process of international adoption and ask questions to the adoption consultants. GWCA/CAN staff also gained some wonderful insight by taking part in the many adoption related seminars provided by the AKA organization. Staff attended education sessions headed by experts in the fields of occupational therapy, attachment disorders, neural development in early childhood, loss and trauma. CAN and Great Wall staff was also able to network with other entities in the adoption world to build a stronger net of resources that could be offered to adoptive and potential adoptive families.
Church Outreach
Many churches took part in an effort to reach out to their congregations’ needs for information on adoption and orphan advocacy on Orphan Sunday. CAN was the representative for International, infant domestic and embryo adoption programs. The goal was to get an idea of how we can make a bigger and better impact on the community in this regard by combining our services and education with the church’s outreach, the community in need and the facilities. Next year, during National Adoption Month in Austin Texas, CAN and community churches will be serving a greater number of families with answers to their questions.
St. Edward’s University “Careers in International Social Justice Employer Panel”
One of CAN’s International Adoption Consultants was a panelist representing Children of All Nations and Great Wall China Adoption. The panelists were asked to help the students interested in International Studies prepare themselves for a job in international advocacy or justice. They were asked to describe the daily work and also the challenges that they face every day in their unique positions. The main theme from the panelists in regards to advice for the students was that having experience that sets you apart from all the others will take you far. The panelists described the internships and volunteer work that they did to gain this type of experience and how it helped mold their talents for future jobs. Also they gave a good sense of why they do the jobs they do, and how they were not planning on having that job, but that it was indeed the right fit for them in the end given their unique experiences.
Read MoreWhat makes a “good family?”
What each person considers to be a “good family” varies by perspective, culture, and often upbringing. Here at CAN, we have to consider families based on eligibility for many countries, such as how long the parents have been married, their ages, financial stability, etc. However, what do the children think makes a “good family?” Do you have to be a superhero of some sort? Not necessarily, though that would be cool.
This blog post was inspired by a 12 year old girl we will call Danielle, from Bulgaria. Danielle has a little brother named Derrick, and they are both featured on our Waiting Child list and today’s CAN Newsletter. Danielle’s quote inspired our thoughts on what is important to a child when it comes to having a family. Danielle said, “I want a good, normal family, not very rich, because money may deplete, that is why it is better for a family to be good.”
The things adults think of that may constitute a good family are not the same as what a child thinks. We must think on a child’s level, outside our boxes, if you will. Would a child think about your finances? Would they think about your social status? Would they think about the size of your house, car, or even having their own room? Most likely, a child who has been in an institution most of their lives, or who is a toddler, has no concept of any of these things. They think like Danielle. They want a “good family.” And by good, they mean someone to love them, hug them when they cry, be there when they are scared, to give them stability, and someone to call “mom” or “dad.” They want someone who will call them their son or daughter, and who will be proud of them.
Right now let’s also consider what is important to a child while they are in the orphanage so we can better understand why the things above are so much more important. Imagine having nothing to call your own. These children don’t have their own bed, toys, clothes, shoes, or even bath towel. Many of these kids pass the same towel around after bathing (which may happen only once a week), and then have to go grab clothes first come, first served out of a pile. Hopefully, they will find something that fits, or is even made for their gender. As you read this, the kids in the orphanages are thinking that food, clothing, and shelter are important at this moment in their lives. Thus, the items that you may covet or think are important to them are actually things they never dreamed of. Sure, providing them with a nice place to live will be wonderful for them, but most importantly, keep in mind they need your love and support, and of course, to know that they will be cared for by you.
Earlier we asked, what do the children think makes a “good family.” The answer CAN has for you is that YOU can be a good family if you simply love, care for, and cherish these children. It doesn’t matter if your family is big or small, from a farm or the big city, or if you prefer watching TV over running a marathon. Of course, we have the laws and eligibility of each country to contend with, but beyond that, don’t put pressure on your family to be what the American dream says is “ideal.” You don’t have to be of a certain lifestyle, religion, or creed to take the leap of faith and make room in your heart and family for a child who needs you and little else.
Read More