Archive by Author

Children of All Nations Adoption Blog: November 14, 2012

Hello CAN Families,

It is definitely beginning to feel like Fall here in Texas, and I am extremely excited for Thanksgiving next week!  I’m sure you are all looking forward to having the kiddos home for a few days.  What are you most thankful for this year?

Many of our CAN Africa families have received referrals this month!  I know the children and families are all so thankful to be united soon.   If you are interested in learning more about our CAN programs, check out more information here.

I do have excited families beginning their adoption journey ask interesting questions like, “What do you think about renaming my child? How do I make that decision?”  This is completely up to the family.  Sometimes this can depend on how old the child is and it also might depend on how difficult the child’s name sounds in English.  I recently asked this question on our Facebook page, and our families had some wonderful insight on what made them decide to change their child’s name (or not)!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: November 7, 2012

Happy Adoption Month!

November is Adoption Month. There are so many exciting things for our families to be thankful for and continue learning. I’d love to share a few Adoption Month events and ideas with you all:

1) Adoption Day is November 17th, and there are events all over the country to celebrate. You can find an event in your area right here!

2) Do you have a Family Tree with GWCA or CAN? Family Tree is a wonderful way to keep your family and friends informed of your adoption journey…especially during Adoption Month! GWCA and CAN families can start their own Family Tree blog here.

3) I think there are some amazing adoption stories and inspirational quotes. Do you have any adoption stories or special quotes to share? Check out our Facebook page and continue sharing all month!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

I would love to see all the costumes today!  What is your kiddo dressed as?  Other than Halloween, today is also exciting for another reason…

CAN has launched our new Bulgaria Waiting Child Program!  This program offers families the opportunity to adopt a child with special needs. Often, these children are the most vulnerable and need your love, support, and healing. Children of All Nation’s receives files of children available every 3 months from the Bulgarian government. We have the privilege to advocate for these special children and search for their forever family.

Children available through the Bulgaria Waiting Child Program range in age from 1-16 and have a broad range of special needs.  Healthy children and sibling groups may also be available. The number of files available and the age range, gender and special needs of the children will vary per with each distribution.  We are happy to announce the addition several children in need of finding their forever family. To access our Children of All Nations Waiting Child List, please complete a Waiting Child Profile.  This will provide you with your unique password to access the site.  For additional information on the Bulgaria Program, please visit our Children of All Nations website.

When thinking about adoption and waiting children, this quote comes to my mind: “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Heather Cortez

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 24, 2012

Hello GWCA/CAN Families,

Great Wall and Children of All Nations had the honor of hosting a delegation of 22 CCCWA members yesterday at our headquarters in Austin, Texas. The delegation toured the Capitol and met with State Representative Mark Strama where Ms. Gan Weiwei, who led the delegation, was presented with a Texas flag as a gift. The delegation also participated in informational presentations by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff regarding licensing for adoption agencies, and by GWCA/CAN staff regarding our successful waiting child program in China. They enjoyed a tour of our office where they were able to meet the GWCA/CAN staff and learn more about our agency’s adoption programs. GWCA/CAN thanks CCCWA for their visit and for all they do to help the children of China.

If you want to see pictures of the visit, check out our Facebook page here.

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 17, 2012

Good Morning Families,

GWCA has started some exciting adoption campaigns!  “Look What Love Can Do” was started to show the impact adoption can have on a child when a family brings a little one into their forever family.  Feel free to look through each child’s pictures to see how their life has flourished. GWCA is so excited to help families at every stage of the adoption journey, and we would be happy to explore your adoption options through China today!  What can your love do?

Another new agency campaign is: “Joy of Boys.”  This campaign shows that although many families are only open to little girls, there are also boys in China waiting for their forever family.  Are you interested in learning more about adopting from China…possibly a boy?  Feel free to contact me at elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com for more information.  You can also have your little boy’s ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos displayed in our “Joy of Boys” album on our GWCA website by submitting through our campaign site.

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 10, 2012

Happy Fall!

Today I was a guest on Creating a Family’s radio show to discuss adopting as an American Family living abroad.  Whitney Reitz, from USCIS, was on the panel as well…we had a great chat on such an interesting adoption topic!

Creating a Family is a wonderful nonprofit that provides education and resources about infertility and adoption.  We discussed the differences U.S. citizens living abroad go through on their adoption journey and how agencies like GWCA/CAN can assist with this process.  It was also great to share helpful tips for families, even pointing out specific adoption cases such as military families.

If you want to listen to a downloadable podcast, one is available right here.

As always, feel free to email me for more information: Elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: October 4, 2012

Hello GWCA/CAN Families,

I wanted to share wonderful news from CAN! We have started something very unique to help our children and families through our DRC program!

CAN is currently offering a tutoring and counseling program at one of our DRC orphanages for children age 3 and up. This program, called Jump Start, is aimed at teaching basic English and preparing children for the adoption transition. Our teacher, who has previous experience tutoring adopted Congolese children, is now helping our children prepare for their transition from the orphanage to their new homes. We are delighted to have formed this partnership and are able to hear weekly progress reports about the children. The children are thirsty for knowledge and love Jump Start! Our tutor writes, “In general, the kids like so much the school and I always have a problem to have school done. They want me to keep on teaching them and they never seem to get tired. They are all able to practice every thing they are taught. I told them about their new families, they were happy to hear that and some of the kids were asking me when they are supposed to meet their adoptive families. I heard some of them telling their friends that my mom and dad live in America; there, I am going to have good food, nice clothing, and nice stuff, they were talking even about things they do not know.”

If you want to know more about Jump Start and our DRC program, call me today at 512-323-9595 x3091

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: September 26, 2012

Happy Wednesday,

I want to provide all families with an Adoption Tax Credit UPDATE!!! There is now a Senate companion bill (to H.R. 4373). On Friday the bill S.3616 was introduced. This bill would make the Adoption Tax Credit permanent and refundable. WE DEFINITELY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!!

It’s “push time!” These bills needs co-sponsors, so please ask your Representative to co-sponsor HR 4373 and both your Senators to co-sponsor S 3616. The more support these bills have–meaning the more members of Congress hear from their constituents and understand the importance of extending the adoption tax credit and making it refundable– the better chance that a refundable adoption tax credit will be included in the final tax package agreed upon by Congress.

To email your Senators click here.

For tips about how to advocate click here.

Wishing the very best for the adoption tax credit and our families this week!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager

From the Desk of Lizzie: September 19, 2012

Hi Families,

Last Saturday, I was going through my Netflix and found a great documentary called, “This Emotional Life” from PBS.  It had a segment that discussed attachment and bonding, which is something many potential adoptive families ask and worry about.  One important thing to know about attachment and bonding (in relation to adoption) is that every child’s story is different.  Some children in orphanages might have bonding issues to overcome, but there are also children who crave love and healthy attention.  Early childhood is an important time for bonding, but attachments can be made and constantly improved throughout a child’s life!

I am happy to help families discuss their adoption options and give resources to assist with attachment and bonding.  GWCA/CAN is always here to support your family and adoption journey, so reach out to us today about any questions you may have:  512-323-9595 x3091

If you want to learn more about “This Emotional Life” and their information on attachment, you can read it here from PBS!

Sincerely,

Lizzie Kovach

Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager