Earls Family, TN (Russia)

Joseph and Svetlana are both doing great.  Svetlana is enjoying her fist summer here in the U.S.  We just came back from the beach - she loved it!

Smith Family, FL ( China)

Our official adoption day was May 3, 2007.   Vica never cried one tear when she left Russia and she didn't sleep one minute on the airplane.  She was so excited about coming home!!!  Vica has been home 6 weeks now.  She is happy and learning more English every day.  She loves her new brother and our pool.   Vica loves pink clothes and adores riding in the car with the sun roof open.  Adopting a 12 year old has many challenges ... but these children need love also.  Vica is definitely part of our family.  Life is good!

We are all doing great.  Daniel is one happy kid.

Fleming Family, TN (Russia)

How do I begin to share with you the joy that fills our hearts? We are sooooo happy!! Today was Owen's GOTCHA DAY, and it couldn't have gone any better.  All I could think was, "I am so happy I can barely breathe. Oh my goodness, do we really get to take him with us? It's so unbelievable but yet it feels so natural!!" We have a son. He is really ours. I feel like saying, "Hey, Mom, can we keep him? Really, can we?" It just feels too good to be true.
We are so in love.

Hollowell Family, LA (China)

We adopted Tyler from Inner Mongolia.  He is extremely bright and active.  He is not shy at all and never sits down!  Thanks for everything!!! We have been very pleased with Children's Hope and everyone we have encountered who works for Children's Hope has been wonderful.

Smardak Family, TN (Russia)

               

I wanted to let everyone know how great things are going and how wonderful the whole adoption process has been and continues to be.  Every day I talk with someone telling them about our whole experience and how blessed we are that we have been entrusted with such special children.

Thank you again for the amazing job you do on behalf of adoptive families and orphaned children around the world.  We are so very grateful for your assistance during and after our adoption of precious Amelia.

Every day is a better day than the one before.  Aimee is a wonderful girl and we all love her immensely.

Ethiopia's First Referral!!

Children’s Hope's first referral in Ethiopia will certainly do great work in the hearts of parents Stacie and Kevin as they travel to meet their adoptive son and bring him home to Missouri.

When they applied in January, the couple waited patiently for Children’s Hope to become licensed in country. Once licensed, the family received their referral for their beautiful healthy boy just one month after submitting their dossier. Now this pioneer family is set to travel in approximately two months to Addis Ababa’s Hope for Abandoned Children and Orphan Care Association, where the three-month-old infant will first be united with his family.

Children's Hope looks forward to sharing pictures of this happy referral day when the adoption is finalized by the courts of Ethiopia prior to the family's travel. A big congratulations to the happy couple!

USCIS Changes Effective July 30, 2007

USCIS fees will change on July 30, 2007. The new fee schedule applies if you file on or after July 30, 2007. The new cost of filing your I-600A (Advance processing for Orphan Petition) will be $670 plus $80 for each person to be fingerprinted. 

If you already have an approved I-600A (I-171H/I-797C) that is about to expire, and have not yet filed your I-600 petition, you can receive one free extension of your I-600A by filing a new I-600A after July 30th without fees before the first I-171H/I-797C expires. USCIS recommends that you re-file at least one month before your I-171H/I-797C expires. It has not been determined yet if this will include free fingerprinting. The request for the extension must be made in writing before the expiration date of the first I-171H/ I-797C.  If your current I-171H/I-797C expires before July 30th you will have to pay the fees for filing a new I-600A. There are no exceptions to this.

  When filing or re-filing you will need to submit a updated home study report not over 6 months old, copy(s) of birth certificates, copy of marriage certificate, copy of divorce decree if applicable, certified copy of court disposition(s) for any past arrest along with a letter of explanation from family, and fees if filing and no fees if re-filing if you qualify for the free extension. If you are re-filing you will need to also submit a cover letter requesting the free extension of the I-600A, a copy of your first home study and a copy of your first I-171H/I-797C.  If you switch countries you will still need to file the I-824 and pay the fees for this form.  Children’s Hope suggests that you check with your local USCIS office before you re-file to make sure you are following their guidelines. Each USCIS office has the power to accept or reject your re-file according to how they interpret the new guidelines.

 2007 Children’s Hope
National Reunion Picnic

If you haven't already registered...time is short!  Click on the link below for more information.

Children's Hope Reunion Picnic 2007

July 14, 2007

10:30am - 3:30pm

St. Louis, MO

Operation Hope Reunion

13 families joined us for a Southeast Operation Hope reunion.  It was wonderful seeing everyone and the kids really loved reconnecting with their Russia orphanage brothers and sisters.

Introducing our newest Junior Orphan Ambassador, Zara Dorris

In honor of Zara's 6th birthday and her pre-kindergarten class, a donation was made to provide birthday gifts to five children that live in orphanages in China. 

Zara and her class also sent a special birthday message to the child that the Dorris family sponsors in China.

You too can become a member of Children's Hope's Junior Ambassadors Club!  Just e-mail or mail in a description of your effort and its results.

Visit http://orphan.childrenshope.net/Junior-Ambassadors.33.0.html to find out more.

Hope for Orphans!

Your gift can make the dreams of children in need come true!  Choose from over 14 projects in the 2007 Dream Book, including clean water in India, Nutritious means in Vietnam, skills training for older orphans in Russia, AIDS orphanage in Ethiopia, and many more.

We'd love to meet you!

Come to an informational meeting and learn more about international adoption and the program qualifications.

July 14, 2007  ~   Dossier Class  ~  8:30 AM  ~  Children's Hope

July 14, 2007  ~   Travel Class  ~  10:00 AM  ~  Children's Hope

 I hope you have wonderful plans to celebrate the Fourth with family and friends.  Thanks to all of you who have allowed us to be a part of your family and have the privilege of seeing new citizens this year celebrate with fireworks, fun, and family.  We are truly blessed to be Americans and we have so much to give!!

If you are wanting to give to a child, there is no greater reward or return!  I am happy to tell you personally about our adoption programs and child sponsorship!  There is no better time than today to get started on your journey!

 

Brenda

 Southeastern U.S.
 Brenda Barker, Director
 229 Ward Circle, Suite C-22
 Brentwood, TN  37027
 615-309-8109   Fax: 615-309-8483
Brenda.Barker@ChildrensHope.net

Also serving the following states: TN, KY, AL, AR, MS, VA, LA & SC