Hosts of Hope
Developed by Adoption Associates, Inc. (AAI), the Hosts of Hope program facilitates connections between potential adoptive families and older orphans from Russia through an approimately two week summer hosting program in Michigan. While lasting friendships are likely to develop between the children and the host families, the goal of this program is to provide every child that participates with his or her own adoptive family. Host families and funding is needed to support this program.
LIFE AFTER THE ORPHANAGE
Russia is currently home to 700,000 orphaned children living in 2,000 government-run orphanages. Approximately 1,600 of these children live in 68 orphanages in the Arkhangelsk region. Although international adoption is becoming increasingly common, the need has continued to be greater than the response. And if these children aren’t adopted by age sixteen, it will be too late. In Russia, children “age out” of the orphanage system between sixteen and eighteen. They are sent out the door with little more than the clothing on their back, and as mere teenagers, they enter into society alone. Without sufficient skills to provide for themselves financially, and without anyone to offer them unconditional love, guidance, and support, they become Russia’s homeless. They run the streets, join gangs, and sometimes even end their lives to eliminate their pain and loneliness.
STATISTICS ON ADULT ORPHANS
Statistically, only one in ten adult Russian orphans will become a functional member of society. According to the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in 2000, 40% of adult orphans became drug users, 40% committed crimes, an estimated 80% of female orphans entered into prostitution, and 10% committed suicide.
HOST SUCCESS RATE
Through the Hosts of Hope program, these older children can once again realistically hope for a family of their own. Other similar hosting programs have resulted in nearly 100% of the children being placed in a permanent home. This is a statistic that AAI hopes to mirror.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
During the summer of 2007, AAI hosted six children ages six and seven from the Arkhangelsk region of Russia through the Hosts of Hope program. For the first time in their lives, these children were welcomed into a family setting as they stayed with host parents approved by AAI. Throughout their three week stay, the children participated in various activities that allowed them to bond with their host parents and learn about the local community. Some events included attending an American baseball game, picnic at Lake Michigan, visiting the zoo, and going fishing. The 2007 program resulted in four adoptions and the lives of four children have been changed as they now have forever families.
In 2008, AAI is anticipating bringing approximately twenty children to Michigan to participate in the Hosts of Hope program.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM?
The Hosts of Hope program is in need of financial contributions totaling $26,000 to help cover the costs of the host children’s activities during their stay, health and liability insurance, travel expenses, and gifts for the children. Adoptive families who have completed post adoption supervision are welcome to provide financial support to the program. Prayer support is also appreciated.
If you would like to make a contribution towards this program, please contact Thomas Gill at 616.667.0677 or e-mail tgill@adoptionassociates.net for more information.
