Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Giving Back

I recently had the opportunity to become a "godmother" to a young teenage boy in a Colombian orphanage.  My friend and I purchased gifts for him so he would have Christmas gifts.  It was fun to shop for him and we hoped that he would like and be blessed with the presents we chose.

Little did I know that I was the one that would be blessed by my "godson".  This week I received a picture of him opening his gifts as well as a beautiful letter thanking us for remembering him on this very special day.  This precious teenage boy will probably never be in a forever loving home and that is a heart-breaking thought.

There are so many children, like my godson, who need loving homes. Gladney's Colombia adoption program has a regular adoption program, a Hope Exchange Camp program, and a Colombia national program.   If you are interested in adopting one of these precious children from Colombia, please get started today by requesting Gladney's Online Information Packet.





Friday, December 07, 2012

Holiday Card Artwork

Gladney recently had a Holiday Card Contest.  We asked all of our Gladney "babies" to send in their artwork depicting their holiday tradition.  Here is Juan Pablo's wonderful artwork.


Juan Pablo, now 12 years old, was adopted from Gladney's Colombia Program.

Gladney staff is committed to assisting families interested in adopting from Colombia. To learn more about adopting from Colombia, please request one of Gladney's free, comprehensive Adoption Information Packets. Make your request on-line or by calling 1-800-INT-ADOP.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

According to Wikipedia, Christmas Eve is the most important day of the Christmas season for Colombians.
Friends and families get together to pray the last Novena.  At midnight they open the presents and party.  The children get to stay up late to play with all those new presents.  Little is done on December 25 because of all the celebration that occurred the night before. 

As you start pursuing an adoption through Colombia, think about how you will incorporate your child's culture and traditions into your family. Adopting through the Hope Exchange Program will allow you more of an opportunity to find out about these traditions while in Colombia.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Check out Gladney's Colombia Office

Beth Whitacre, Gladney's Intercountry Adoption Caseworker, recently traveled to Colombia for several visits.  While there she videoed the Colombia Office where Lucy Martinez, Gladney's in-country representative, works.


Monday, November 12, 2012

Fun With the Kids While in Colombia

Just heard about this fun place for the kids in Bogota!  It's called Divercity.  It's described as a kids park that is set up to let children experience adult activities like driving a car, putting out a fire (okay I've never done that!), and other different occupations.

They start out with a small amount of play money that they can use to play games.  When they run out of money, they have to get jobs to earn more money.

This could be a fun way to spend an afternoon in Colombia while you're in-country during the Hope Exchange Camp.

If you've been, please share your review of the place.


Divercity


Calle 183 No. 45-03 Local 201 Piso 3 | Centro Comercial, SantafeBogotaColombia

Photos of Divercity, Bogota
This photo of Divercity is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Monday, November 05, 2012

Attend an Informative Seminar on International Adoption Process for Colombia


Gladney is pleased to announce the Hope Exchange Program!   Gladney is looking for families who are willing to open
 their hearts to an older child from Colombia.
Adventurous prospective parents are invited to travel to Colombia July 20-27, 2013 for Hope Exchange; the opportunity for prospective parents to meet healthy boys and girls ranging in age from 7 to 14 years who can’t wait to spend time with a loving family.

Daniela Guzman Martinez
The Gladney Center staff and Daniela Guzman Martinez, a representative from Colombia, will be hosting an informative seminar discussing the
Hope Exchange and international adoption process for Colombia

Wednesday, November 7, 2012
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Gladney Center for Adoption
Community Center
6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX  76132


If you would like to attend this meeting, please RSVP to
Judy.Hayes@Gladney.org or 432-563-3344.


Directions to The Gladney Center for Adoption:
Take the Hulen/TCU exit off I-20.  Turn left on S. Hulen Street.
Turn right onto Oakmont Blvd.  Turn left onto Harris Parkway.
Turn right onto John Ryan Drive.  Our offices will be on the right side of the street.
Look for the Community Center sign and enter the CC building through the doors close
to the handicap parking.


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Different Start to the Adoption Journey

With Gladney's Hope Exchange Program, prospective adoptive parents start their adoption journey in a very unique way.  Instead of  waiting for your child's referral after completing your paperwork, this Program offers you the opportunity of traveling to Colombia and actually meeting your child -- face-to-face!


Gladney is pleased to announce the Hope Exchange Program, and a change in destination. Rather than bringing children to the United States, this time adventurous prospective parents are invited to travel to Colombia. Gladney is looking for families who are willing to open their hearts to an older child from Colombia. Ranging in age from 7 to 14, healthy boys and girls can’t wait to spend time with a loving family. This year ten adventurous prospective adoptive families are invited to travel to Colombia July 20-27, 2013 for Hope Exchange.  

The first step is to get more information about the camp by contacting Judy Hayes via email or 432.563.3344.  Don't miss this unique opportunity!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Time for Some "Colombianisms"

Here's a great blog post by one of the SuperKids Charity volunteers that is currently working in Colombian orphanages - http://superkidscharity.blogspot.com/2012/10/colombianisms.html.

If you would like to donate to the Superkids cause, please send a check made out to Superkids/Gladney Center, to

The Gladney Center
6300 John Ryan Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122

Superkids is part of the Gladney Center, a 510 (c)(3) support organization.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Do you know what Hope Exchange Is?

Back in 2002, Gladney began Bright Futures Camps as a way to raise awareness about older children living in orphanages.  Thousands of children remain in orphanages, and sadly, the older a child gets, the less likely they are to experience the gift of family through adoption.

Gladney is pleased to announce the Hope exchange Program with a twist.  Rather than bringing children to the United States, this time adventurous prospective parents are invited to travel to Colombia. What an exciting opportunity to brighten the life of a child living in an orphanage, and experience the culture first hand.

If interested in being part of this exciting opportunity, please contact Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org or 432.563.3344.  Don't miss this unique chance of creating your family through adoption!


For further information about Gladney's Colombia Adoption program, please visit our website.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Colombia Camp Program

Over a decade ago, Gladney began Bright Futures Camps as a way to raise awareness about older children living in orphanages. Thousands of children remain in orphanages, and sadly, the older a child gets, the less likely they are to experience the gift of family through adoption. With its first camp, 11 Russian children traveled to the Dallas/Fort area for an opportunity to stay with host families and experience family life. Since then, children from Russia and Ethiopia have traveled to the United States for a chance at one simple pleasure -- experiencing what it means to have a loving family and home.

Gladney is pleased to announce the Colombia Camp Program, and a change in destination. Rather than bringing children to the United States, this time adventurous prospective parents are invited to travel to Colombia. Gladney is looking for families who are willing to open their hearts to an older child from Colombia. Ranging in age from 7 to 14, healthy boys and girls can’t wait to spend time with a loving family. This year ten adventurous prospective adoptive families are invited to travel to Colombia in the Summer of 2014 for the Camp Program.

Based on Gladney’s successful U.S. based Bright Futures Camp, this camp offers a fun-filled week of camp activities including sightseeing and the opportunity to spend time with a loving prospective family. Being in Colombia offers some additional benefits to both parents and children. By going to Colombia, families can spend more time with their child before placement and have the opportunity to experience Colombian culture first hand –- both of these experiences will help build a strong foundation and bond. Additionally, because the children remain on familiar turf, they experience less culture shock and feel more at ease with prospective parents.

What an exciting opportunity to brighten the life of a child living in an orphanage, and experience the culture first hand!

For planning purposes, families must have submitted their application by February 1, 2014. There is a lot to do, but Gladney has experts to guide you through every step of the process. The first step is to get more information about the camp by contacting Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org or 432.563.3344. Don't miss this unique opportunity!

http://adoptionsbygladney.com