U.S. Programs

A Wish for Children

humanitarian aid organization

A Wish for Children, Inc.

290 Willow Road

Guilford, CT 06437

Phone: 203.458.6009

Fax. 866.608.6674

E-Mail: info@awishforchildren.org

To contact us:

International and Transracial Adoption Support Group

at the Women & Family Life Center, Carriage House

96 Fair Street, Guilford, Connecticut

Join us on the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

MISSION: To educate and support multi-cultural and transracial families formed through adoption and those considering adoption, To empower our children through positive identity and self-esteem, To respect and celebrate our children’s ethnic or cultural background, To promote understanding and acceptance of differences, To promote a positive image of adoption in the community, and To advocate formally and informally for the needs of our children and families.

WHAT WE OFFER:

International Adoption Programs

For prospective adoptive parents interested in obtaining information on adopting from foreign countries such as Burundi, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, and more.

Waiting Family Education and Support

For prospective adoptive parents who are waiting for a referral of a child. We offer support and information to assist with the waiting process. We also offer education on parenting and traveling to a foreign country to adopt a child.

Post Adoption Paperwork Workshops

For parents who have already returned with their child and need to finalize adoption paperwork and obtain new vital records, U.S. passports, and certificates of citizenship.

Adoptive Parents Support Groups

For parents with children of different ages, cultures, and races, to explore issues pertaining to parenting and adoption.

Children’s Support Groups

For children of all ages to meet and socialize with other children. These groups will be assembled by age and are social in nature.

Clinical Services

Individual and family therapy sessions are available.

Holiday, Cultural Events, and Playgroups

Bring the kids, and bring your questions. This group is for your family and your children. Meet and greet other adoptive families from the area.

The support group is facilitated by Patti Urban, Executive Director of A Wish for Children, and Lois Glazer, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Come and find out what we have to offer to you and your family. Refreshments and babysitting provided, donations accepted.

For more information, please call 203-458-6009.

In partnership with A Wish for Children, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit humanitarian aid organization headquartered in Guilford, CT. For more information, please visit www.awishforchildren.org.

In partnership with Women & Family Life Center Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving women and families through education, enrichment, support and referral. For more information, please visit www.womenandfamilylifecenter.org.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

U.S. Programs

· International and Transracial Adoption Support Groups

· Respite House for Children and Families in Crisis

Respite House for Children and Families in Crisis

RESPITE HOME PROPOSAL

Mission Statement: To provide an alternative intervention program for parents in crisis with their foreign-adopted children and who may be considering disruption. Before a disruption occurs, children will come to Vermont at the parent’s expense, and legal guardianship will be given to the respite house/foster parents. The child/children will remain in the custody of the foster parents until such time that it is determined that all are ready to reunite or that parental rights are to be terminated so that the child can be made eligible for adoption into another family.

Location: New England

Beneficiaries: Foreign-adopted children ages 0 to 15, including sibling groups, both biological and through adoption; adoptive parents.

Capacity: Up to 15 children.

Goals and Objectives: We believe that if we intervene early on when families are experiencing difficulties, we may be able to provide strategies to assist all involved and, perhaps, prevent disruption. We will work together with therapists, counselors, teachers and other professionals to give parents the tools to use so that the family may be able to remain intact. We will also offer respite and education for parents both pre- and post- adoption to make these new families successful. However, we also recognize that in some cases the children will never be able to return to the family but, instead, will need to be placed with a different family.

Funding: The entire project will be funded through donations from adoption agencies, adoptive families and benefactors as well as grants. Families are responsible for clothing and food. Children receive monthly allowances of $100 for extra activities such as movies, dining out, swimming fees, etc. Scholarships will be made available for those families who can demonstrate need. All transportation costs to be covered by the family. Legal guardianship fees of $35 to be paid upon arrival by the parents.

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.

--Unknown