Past News of Adoption Horizons

February 15th, 2006

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PACT Seminars
PACT, an adoption alliance (a referral and educational center that promotes adoption, especially for children of color), is offering an upcoming seminar and benefit
"The Emotional Life of an Adopted Child" (working through difficult feelings) will be held on March 4th, 2006 in Oakland, CA. Registration starts at 8:30 am with the workshop running at 9:30 am - 4:00 pm. Costs for non-PACT members is $90/person.

For Reservations:
You can call 510-243-9460
or go online for a registration form. www.pactadopt.org

They are also having a benefit and film viewing with the director, Lee Mun Wah, "Last Chance for Eden" (Exploring Racism Within Ourselves), on April 30, 2006 in Oakland.
For Reservations:
You can call 510-243-9460
or go online for a registration form. www.pactadopt.org

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Positive Parenting
Offered by the Humboldt Childcare Council and Eureka Adult School. The six-session series is offered on March 1 - April 5, 2006, Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Jefferson School.

For reservations or information:
445-9291 or 800-795-3554

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Post Adoption Services Project
The Post Adoption Services Project will be offering a four-part series on the Brain hosted by Tom Rector. The series begins on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the State Adoptions office, 749 F Street, Arcata, CA. Childcare and a light snack are provided free-of-charge.

Reservations are requested.

To RSVP or for more information call:
826-9178

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Shu Yi's Language Classes!
Just another reminder that Shu Yi is available to conduct Chinese language classes with your children as well as teach simple Chinese painting appropriate for children ages 5 and up. She also has a wonderful hour-long PowerPoint presentation about the Chinese culture. She is available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 - 4:00 pm.

For more information:
(707) 444-9909 or email us at adoption@sbcglobal.net

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Adoption Horizons Travel Preparation Class
For the first time, Adoption is offering two comprehensive classes for families in the waiting process. An Infant/Childcare Safety class was recently hosted by Dr. Ted and Cindy Humphry. Development, universal precautions, feeding schedules, formula, diseases and care seat safety for discussed. Look for this class again in the future.

April 5, 2006, from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Kathleen Zamboni and Cindy Savage will be hosting a new comprehensive Travel Preparation Class, which will include decision-making about travel, living in a hotel, traveling with children, navigating airports, safety and emergencies, and a packing demonstration. Also included will be organizing lists and time management sheets.

Please RSVP at 444-9909.

Kathleen the co-founder of Adoption Horizons has traveled to over 30 foreign countries and lived for extended periods of time in Mexico.

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China Program Slows Down
We have recently heard from our China facilitator that referrals are taking longer than before. A surge of applications late last year has caused a disproportionate number of families wanting available children. Current referrals are taking 10 months instead of 6 months. Once the backlog is reduced, we will have a better idea of referral times in the future.

Please give your support to those who are waiting as it's always disappointing to have to wait longer than expected.

I just came across some very interesting statistics on Intercountry adoption.
The US State Department has statistic from 1990, which cover all countries. I was shocked to see that since 1990, 55,347 Chinese children have been placed in the USA. In 2005 of the total number of foreign adoption visas granted for the USA was 22,728 of which 7,906 were for Chinese children. China now represents 34% of all foreign-born children immigrated to the USA for adoption.

You can view the full report at:
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/stats/stats_451.html

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Board Committee Members
For once, we have a full slate of Board members, however, as the Board develops, there will be a need for worker bees interested in serving on some of the committees. The committees include Finance, Fundraising, and Strategic Planning.

If you have skills in these areas and would like to serve as a non-Board member (or perhaps one in training for the future), please contact Cindy Savage at CinSav@aol.com.

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Adoption Horizons Annual Family Potluck/Talent Show
Adoption Horizons will be having its annual Potluck and Talent Show, July 29, 2006 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Azalea Hall, McKinleyville Community Services District.
We know there is hidden talent out there, so brush off your tap shoes, tune your guitar, get your sheet music together and come ready to PERFORM!

For more information call Adoption Horizons: 444-9909.

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Adoption Horizons T-Shirts!
We still have a wonderful assortment of T-Shirts. These AH T-Shirts are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so please stop by and have a look at them!
Adults: $12, Children: $10, add $3.00 for shipping/item

Coming soon are toddler sizes!

You can view a few of the T-Shirts on our website!
http://www.adoption-horizons.org/store.php

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Drop Box!
Reminder that there is a 24-hr locked, drop box located by the downstairs door. It is checked daily during business days.

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Wish List
Adoption Horizons always has needs that go beyond the everyday budget. Donations of cash or items helps us expand beyond our services. Our requests are not just for the families who adopt and pay fees, but you are our "point of entry", therefore we hope that you will share this with others who have supported your process.

Here is our current wish list.

• New laser printer -- $500
• 2 bookshelves to replace our entertainment center -- $1,200
• Printing costs for our community outreach projects -- $500
• Endowment Fund -- 2006 goal is $10,000
• Sign for the outside post and side of the building -- $1,000
• Attorneys fees for redoing Bylaws and Employee Handbook -- $3,000

Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Savage
Adoption Horizons