Agency News
Ethiopia Travel Requirement Change
Ethiopia has made a change in their travel requirements. Effective immediately, adoptive parents are now required to take two trips, each lasting approximately one week. The main purpose of the first trip, which will take place six to eight weeks after you accept your referral, will be to meet your child and appear for the court hearing. The second trip will take place approximately five to six weeks later at which time you will attend your embassy appointment and bring your child home. Both parents will be required to travel for the first trip, and one or both parents are recommended to travel for the second trip.
To learn more about our Ethiopia adoption program, please visit our Ethiopia adoption page.
Considering Adoption? Attend a Meeting to Learn More
AAI hosts several information meetings each month for families interested in adoption. Please join us at our next meeting in your area: May 12 in Traverse City, May 18 in Ada and in Farmington Hills, and June 8 in Lansing. Families in attendance will have the chance to hear from an adoptive family and a birth mom, and you will also learn about adoption at AAI though a Powerpoint presentation.
For more information about future meetings, check the Information Meetings box on the right side of our web site.
Become a Fan on Facebook!
If you’re a supporter of Adoption Associates, let us know! We’d love to keep growing our number of fans on Facebook. Share your opinions or join in a conversation. This is a great way to stay posted on new developments with AAI, as well as national adoption news.
Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/adoptionassociates.
Local Sudanese Woman Offers Braiding for Black Hair
Do you know a child who would like her Black hair braided? Please call Rebecca Deng who specializes in styling children’s hair. Rebecca has been braiding for 13 years and can braid natural hair, individual braids, cornrows, hair extensions and more. For more information and pricing, call 616.566.7357.
Free Photo Sittings Offered to Adoptive Families
If you’ve adopted your child within the past year, your family qualifies for a free sitting and small set of proofs from Celebrating Adoption, an organization whose volunteer photographers capture precious moments for adoptive families! Proof details depend on the photographer, as do lighting conditions (some photographers prefer to shoot indoors, while others prefer outdoors), and adoptive families can find photographers in their area by visiting www.CelebratingAdoption.org. Celebrating Adoption was founded in 2006 by Jenifer Samaha, a photographer who originally captured images of a family preparing a profile to show to prospective birth mothers. Jenifer began photographing more and more adoptive families and eventually, photographers from across the U.S. were asking to be part of Jenifer’s program. Today, hundreds of photographers have joined Jenifer – many being adoptive parents themselves—and volunteer their time to celebrate new families. One participating photographer in Western Michigan not listed on the site is Christy Pacanowski. She has generously donated several images for use in Adoption Associates’ marketing materials. Check out her blog, too, at clpphotography.blogspot.com.
Inspire Reading with Free Books
If you live in a participating county, your young child can receive free books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! Each month, from birth through age five, children in eligible counties receive a free, age-appropriate book. Dolly Parton began this program in 1996, to allow children in her home county experience the wonder that books can create—despite a family’s income level. Today, Imagination Library serves children around the world. Help promote a lifelong love of reading by signing up your little ones for this program! Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com to learn more.
