Hosts of Hope
Adoption Associates, Inc. welcomes your participation in the 2008 Hosts of Hope program which exists to connect older orphans with forever families. Last year, AAI brought six children from a Russian orphanage to Michigan for a three week stay. Four of the host children’s adoptions are expected to be completed by Spring 2008. This summer, we hope to have approximately 20 children, ages 7-12, take part in this program.
We are looking forward to your participation and support as we expand our summer host program in 2008. Statistically, only one in ten adult Russian orphans will become a functional member of society. Please join us in our efforts to make a difference by becoming a host parent, sponsoring a host child, volunteering, or attending host activities.
Become a Host Parent: Take the first step in becoming a host parent by downloading a preliminary application.
Sponsor a Child: Expenses to cover international and domestic flights, visas, passports, and the legal process to coordinate the child’s visit are $3,500. We appreciate your consideration in sponsoring a portion or the full amount of a host child’s tuition.
Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to participate in both the welcoming and fundraising committees.
Attend Host Activities: Families who are interested in experiencing the program firsthand may attend the host activities and personally meet the children and host parents.
Please contact Kimberly Hall at khall@adoptionassociates.net or Annise Koops at akoops@adoptionassociates.net for more information.
NOTE: If you are a family currently in the process of adopting or in post adoption supervision through AAI, donation and sponsorship opportunities are for informational purposes only.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOST PROGRAM:
1. Children who participate in the host program reside in orphanages. Host children typically range from 7-12 years in age; the group of children will consist of boys, girls, and siblings.
2. Host parents will participate in fundraising events to raise financial support to subsidize the cost of the host children’s tuition.
3. The country from which the children are visiting, maintains legal guardianship over the children during the course of the host program. Host parents do not become the children’s legal parents during the host program.
4. The children who participate in the host program are allowed to come to the United States as an international travel experience; they are required, by law, to return to their home country at the conclusion of the host program.
5. Host parents will receive brief background information regarding the child(ren) they host. This may include a short medical history, social history, description of behavioral characteristics and a picture.
6. Adoption Associates, Inc. refers host child(ren) to families based on the needs of the child(ren) and the host families’ preferences.
7. The host children’s adoption cases will be processed in the same manner as other adoptions. Please note: two trips to Russia will be required during the adoption process.
HOH ELIGIBILITY:
1. Host parent must be residents of Michigan or Florida.
2. Michigan residents are required to become state licensed foster parents for the purpose of participating in the host program; Adoption Associates, Inc. will complete your foster care home study.
3. Florida residents must work cooperatively with Adoption by Shepherd Care to comply with state requirements.
4. Welcome the host child(ren) into your home for an approximate two week stay and provide him/her with a positive, memorable international experience. Host children must be provided with their own private bedroom. Host children of the same gender may share a bedroom with one another, but host children may not share a bedroom with any host family members.
5. Complete 12 hours of required orientation meetings and educational trainings, maintain compliance with Adoption Associates, Inc.’s policies and procedures, attend weekly group host events, and maintain regular weekly contact with the host coordinators.
6. Dedicate individual time to the host child. At least one host parent must stay home full time during the host program to devote him/herself to the host child(ren)’s needs and transition.
7. Assume responsibility for the expense of the host tuition. The host tuition goes toward international and domestic travel expenses for host children and adult escorts, required paperwork, translation fees, medical evaluations by a U.S. International Pediatrician, and medical insurance for the host children.
8. Per AAI policy, the host child must be a minimum of nine months younger than the youngest child in the home. This policy may be waived by AAI Administration on a case-by-case basis.
9. If a host family is an adoptive parent, they must have had their children home for at least one year before they would be eligible to host.
10. Married couples and single, heterosexual women who reside in Michigan and Florida are eligible to submit a Preliminary Host Application for consideration. Download a preliminary application today.
