Petition for Vietnam Adoptions

I urge everyone to go to the following web site to sign a simple petition, asking the Vietnamese government to continue adoptions with the United States. Many families are anxiously awaiting a referral, and fear that their dossier will be held in limbo indefinitely. Let's all support these families and children by letting our voice be heard.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/continue_vn_adoptions?e

Please Advocate for Vietnam Adoptions

JOINT COUNCIL URGES CONGRESSIONAL PARTICIPATION IN INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION BRIEFING

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption has invited the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to conduct a briefing of Congressional Members and Staff on issues related to intercountry adoption in Vietnam, Guatemala along with issues related to intercountry adoption in general. The briefing is scheduled for this Friday, August 1, 2008 in the U.S. Capitol Building, LBJ Room at 10:00 a.m.

Given the pending suspension of intercountry adoption and related services in Vietnam and the continuing issues of concern in Guatemala, Joint Council urges participation by all Congressional Members or Staff. It is critically important that Members of Congress and their Staff participate in the U.S. Government’s role in international children’s services, specifically intercountry adoption. Given the impact of current issues on children and families, Joint Council urges 100% participation by Congressional offices in this very important briefing.

In order to gain the largest possible participation, please choose to contact your Congressional Representatives and Senators and urge them to participate in the briefing by sending a staff member or Member themselves.

Contact information for U.S. Senator’s offices can be found at http://www.senate.gov/.
Contact information for U.S. Representatives offices can be found at http://www.house.gov/.

If you choose to contact your representatives, please do so today by email or phone call, and request that they send Staff to Friday’s briefing.

This briefing follows the briefing conducted for Congressional Staff last Friday, July 25th by child advocates and experts including Joint Council. These briefings and continuing participation by Members of Congress in the ongoing issues related to international children’s services is critically important to the continuation of intercountry adoption as a viable solution for children in need.



(source: Faith Internation Adoptions Agency)

2008 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has compiled the 2008 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List. They are listed in order of benefits received by adoptive families.

1 Wendy's International, Inc.

2. Citizens Financial Group

3. United Business Media

4. Timberland

5. Barilla America, Inc.

6. Subaru of America, Inc.

7. JPMorgan Chase

8. Avon Products, Inc.

9 Franklin International

10-Tie American Century Investments

10-Tie Fannie Mae

10-Tie SAP

10-Tie South Mountain Company

14 The McGraw-Hill Companies

15 The Phoenix Companies, Inc.

16 Abbott

17 General Mills

18 Leo Burnett & Arc USA

19 MetLife
20 Prudential Financial, Inc.
21 TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

22 Eli Lilly and Company

23 Freddie Mac

24 Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc.
25 Bank of America

26 Cephalon

27 Johnson Financial Group

28 Kao Brands Company
29 LSI Corporation $
30 Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

31 The Hershey Company
32 Quality Custom Cabinetry, Inc.

33 Duke Realty Corporation

34 Alston & Bird, LLP
35 Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Upcoming Asian Events in Chicago

Chicago Dragon Boat Race for Literacy: Saturday, July 26, 2008

Come and experience the excitement as teams compete in a fast paced race along the south branch of the Chicago River at Ping Tom Memorial Park on beautifully decorated dragon boats.

Explore music, food and crafts as well as performances from cultural centers all across Chicago. Each year, approximately 10,000 visitors attend this enjoyable day-long event.

Proceeds of this year's race will go to the Chicago Public School system, Office of Culture and Diversity in the Chicago Board of Education to help promote culture and diversity.

Click here to sign-up for the Dragon Boat Race for Literacy by completing the Contribution Form.

For more information, contact the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce at (312) 326-5320 .

Korean Street Festival:

Sat. August 9 : 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Opening Ceremony starts at 4 p.m.)

Sun. August 10 : 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

The 13th annual cultural event stretches along Bryn Mawr Avenue, from Kedzie to Kimball Avenues, and features a mix of traditional and contemporary Korean entertainment on two stages, such as dancing and drumming, martial arts demonstrations, live music and Ssireum (Korean style wrestling). A taste of Korean food stationed in booths. There are also Korean restaurants, cafes and stores to visit on Bryn Mawr Avenue.

http://chicago.metromix.com/events/fair_festival/korean-street-festival-north-center-sauganash/365988/content

Korean American Adoptee & Adoptive Family Network Conference

One hundred thousand Korean children have been adopted into the United States. With their extended families, they form a Korean adoption community of over two million.

KAAN’s primary project is an annual national conference in a different city each year. This annual coming together allows all attendees to feel part of a national adoption community. In fact conference attendees come from all over the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe and Australia.
KAAN offers national support and guidance, but the KAAN Conference belongs to the community where it is held. Through the process of hosting a conference, it is hoped that the local organizations will be strengthened and the local connections among adoptive families, adult adoptees, Koreans, and Korean Americans will be enhanced.

For nine years KAAN has supported community development through its conferences: KAAN Conferences have been held in Los Angeles, California; Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey; Seattle, Washington; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Arlington, Virginia; San Francisco, California; Detroit, Michigan; Seoul Korea; and Boston, Massachusetts.

This year’s conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois. Please support this wonderful initiative by either attending the conference or joining them at the Gala Dinner event on Saturday, July 19th. Tickets are $50.00

KAAN is entirely run by volunteers with no paid staff. All funds raised go to support the KAAN Conference.

More details are available at http://www.kaanet.com/

China alters 1-child policy

The article below was on the front page of Chicago's Daily Herald - Northwest Focus, Tuesday, May 27, 2008. I think it gives alot of insight into the abandonment and adoption of so many baby girls in China.

CHINA ALTERS 1-CHILD POLICY

In wake of earthquake, officials make exceptions

BEIJING -- Chinese officials said Monday that the country's one-child policy exempts families with a child killed, severely injured or disabled in the country's devastating earthquake.
Those families can obtain a certificate to have another child, the Chengdu Population and Family Planning Committee in the capital of hard-hit Sichuan province said.
With so many shattered families asking questions, the Chengdu committee is clarifying existing one-child policy guidelines, said a committee official surnamed Wang.
"There are just a lot of cases now, so we need to clarify our policies," said Wang, who declined to elaborate.
The May 12 quake was particularly painful to many Chinese because it killed so many only children.
The earthquake has left more than 65,000 people dead so far, with more than 23,000 missing. Officials have not been able to estimate the number of children killed.
Chinese couples who have more than one child are commonly punished by fines. The announcement says that if a child born illegally was killed in the quake, the parents will no longer have to pay fines for that child -- but the previously paid fines won't be refunded.
If the couple's legally born child is killed and the couple is left with an illegally born child under the age of 18, that child can be registered as the legal child -- an important move that gives the child previously denied rights including free nine years of compulsory education.
China's one-child policy was launched in the late 1970s to control China's exploding population and ensure better education and health care. The law includes certain exceptions for ethnic groups, rural families and families where both parents are only children.
The government says the policy has prevented an additional 400 million births, but critics say it has also led to forced abortions, sterilizations and a dangerously imbalanced sex ratio as local authorities pursue sometimes severe birth quotas set by Beijing and families abort girls out of a traditional preference for male heirs.
Though commonly called a one-child policy, the rules offer a welter of exceptions and loopholes, some of them put into practice because of widespread opposition to the limits.
For example, in large parts of rural China, most families are allowed a second-child, especially if the first was a girl. Local officials often have wide discretion on enforcement, a fact that has made the policy susceptible to corruption.
Many Chinese have shown interest in adopting earthquake orphans, and Monday's announcement says there are no limits on the number of earthquake orphans a family can adopt. The adoptions, or even a future birth to a family that adopts an orphan, will not face the limitations of the one-child policy.
Officials estimated last week that the quake left about 4,000 orphans, but they warned they would make every effort to connect children with other family members.

Condolences to the Chapman Family

TheAsianBridge family would like to send it's deepest condolences to the Chapman family during this difficult time. They have been a source of support and inspiration to the adoption community for many years. Please join us in supporting them now with your letters, and prayers.

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN,

DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

The Chapman family is so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time. If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences click here

By mail, send to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.

2nd Annual Auction a Success!

The Directors of theAsianBridge would like to give a heartfelt thanks to each and every one who contributed to the success of 2nd Annual Silent Auction.

We would like to thank the individuals, business owners and corporations for their generosity in providing the wonderful items we acquired for the auction. We would also like to thank the many volunteers who donated their time and talents to make the evening a success, as well at the folks at St. Mark's Episcopal Church who provide us with a wonderful venue for this fundraiser. Finally, we would like to thank the people who attended the auction or mailed a monetary donation. Even in a difficult economy, your generosity allowed us to raise just over $11,500 dollars. This money will be used to sponsor 5 families in 2008! That means theAsianBridge will surpass their goals and will be able to assist 6 families in the first two years of operation, with a small balance to operate and grow the foundation.

Please stay tuned for the wonderful stories of how your generosity helped to grow some families!

The Potter Family shares their story of how theAsianBridge helped them bring home their daughter from China.

Auction night at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Auction Items

The auction is almost here! Please come and help us raise money to find homes for children dreaming of becoming part of a forever family.

Saturday May 17th 2008 theAsianbridge will be having it's second annual silent auction!

6:30 – 8:30 Silent Auction with appetizers, Live Jazz Music, cash bar.
8:30 – 9:30 live auction with great items to bid on!
9:30 – 10:30 Cash out.

St Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 N. Main Street Glen Ellyn, IL 60137


HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE EXCITING ITEMS UP FOR BID AT THE AUCTION:

Chicago Bears Tickets at Soldier Field

Lake Geneva Vacation Home

Golf Package at TCP in Florida including Vacation Home

Walt Disney Theme Park Passes

Sunday Brunch on the Ship "Odessey" on Lake Michigan

2 Tickets on Southwest Airlines to anywhere they fly

Trip to St. Louis to see Rams vs Bears Game

2 Tickets on Northwest Airlines to anywhere they fly

Four Chicago White Sox Tickets

Crystal Vase

Hilton Indian Lakes Resort Package

Hot Air Balloon Ride

22" widescreen/flat LCD computer monitor

BBQ Gas Grill
Chicago Wolves tickets
Hands Around the World Culture Camp
Home Jewelry Party from Stringers
Storks Cradle gift certificate
Stringers Collection Jewelry

Japanese antique/collectables
Zazu Hair Salon gift certificates
Family Portrait by Captured Photography
Mirrored Jewelry Box
Lotto Basket
Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Cantigny Golf Outing
Antique chair
Dick’s Sporting Goods gift Certificate

Creative Memories scrap booking
Wilson Fireball driver
Titleist golf balls
Kidsnips gift certificate
Weber Grill Restaurant gift certificate
MyGym gift certificate
Marathon gift cert
Metropolitan Museum of Art etching
Red Thread puzzles
GNC gift certificate
Black Tie Affair salon gift certificate
Schaumburg Flyers baseball gift certificate
Crate & Barrel throw
Giggles and Gaggles gift certificate
Book: How to Build a Sailboat
Chicago Bears Banner
Ali Kat jewelry gift certificate
Golf putter & balls
Good Works gift certificate
Personalized watercolor portrait of your home
Native American Jewelry
Ballroom Dance lessons
Georgia Rae earrings
Chicago Cubs dart board
Cabs Restaurant gift certificate
The Bank restaurant gift certificate
DRS Toys gift certificate
Kane County Cougar baseball tickets
Popcorn & movie package
Jel-Cert beverage treats
Pampered Chef items
Tastefully Simple gift package
Designer Pottery
Designer necklace
Chicago White Sox throw
Women’s/girls purses
Handyman tool belt

Update on Adoptions from Vietnam

Five-month-old baby girls, are held by workers at an orphanage in Bac Ninh province, near Hanoi,Vietnam, Wednesday, April 23, 2008. Vietnam has failed to police its adoption system, allowing corruption, fraud, and baby-selling to flourish, according to a new report from the U.S. Embassy.(AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

Vietnam to halt American adoptions after damning US report
By CHRIS BRUMMITT, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 28, 6:09 PM ET

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Vietnam, where growing numbers of Americans have turned to adopt a baby, announced Monday it is halting all U.S. adoptions following allegations of baby-selling, corruption and fraud. The abrupt cutoff cast a cloud of uncertainty over pending adoptions in the Southeast Asian country, which have surged in the face of tightened restrictions in China, Guatemala and elsewhere.

The announcement came days after The Associated Press published details of a U.S. Embassy report that outlined rampant abuses, including hospitals selling infants whose mothers could not pay their bills, brokers scouring villages for babies and a grandmother who gave away her grandchild without telling the child's mother. "It is tragic for children that the U.S. government has not been able to find ways to work with the Vietnamese government to prevent adoption abuses while at the same time processing legitimate adoptions," said Tom Atwood, president of the Washington-based National Council for Adoption, a research and advocacy organization. "Many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of children will not have families as a result of this failure of leadership."

U.S. adoptions have boomed in Vietnam, with Americans — including actress Angelina Jolie — adopting more than 1,200 Vietnamese children over the 18 months ending in March. In 2007, adoptions quadrupled from a year earlier.

In its nine-page report, the U.S. Embassy said some American adoption agencies paid orphanage officials as much as $10,000 per referral, while others took them on shopping sprees and junkets to the United States in return for a flow of babies.

It said questions arose after routine investigations turned up widespread inconsistencies in adoption paperwork. There was also a suspicious surge in the number of babies listed as abandoned, making it impossible to confirm the children were genuine orphans or that their parents had knowingly put them up for adoption, as required by U.S. law.

Vu Duc Long, director of Vietnam's International Adoption Agency, called the U.S. allegations "groundless." On Monday, he said Vietnam was scrapping a bilateral agreement with the United States that sought to regulate the adoption system. "They (the Americans) can say whatever they want, but we are not going to renew it," Long said.

In a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam said it would stop taking adoption applications from American families after July 1, but would continue to process applications of families matched with babies before that. Adoption arrangements with other countries were unaffected.
The U.S. Embassy said it respected Hanoi's decision, but was confident of the accuracy of the report. "The government of Vietnam has made their own decision, but we believe that our report speaks for itself," said spokeswoman Angela Aggeler.

It was not immediately clear how many U.S. couples were affected by the decision. Linda Brownlee, executive director of a Washington-based international adoption agency, said it was a bitter blow for 20 families on its waiting list who will not be able to be matched with children in time. "Now their dossiers will be returned to them," said Brownlee of The Adoption Center, one of more than 40 U.S. agencies that arrange adoptions of Vietnamese children. She said the embassy report did not cover positive aspects of adoptions in the country. "They didn't say how many visas they had approved with no problem," she said. "I know many agencies who have done great work there and that doesn't get reported." Keith Wallace, CEO of Families Thru International Adoption, agreed. "The (abuse) cases reported by the embassy ... are such a very small fraction" of U.S. adoptions in Vietnam, he said. "It is wrong to imply that Vietnamese adoptions are corrupt through and though."

Vietnam suspended all adoptions with foreign countries in 2003 over concerns about corruption. U.S. adoptions resumed in 2005 under a bilateral agreement intended to ensure they were above board. It was due for renewal on Sept. 1.

Vietnam is only the latest country where U.S. adoptions have been halted or severely restricted.
Suspected fraud and other irregularities have cast a cloud over the nearly 3,000 pending U.S. adoptions from Guatemala, the second-largest source of U.S. adopted children after China. Under State Department pressure, Guatemala is allowing those to go through, but would-be parents were warned last year not to initiate new adoptions.

By contrast, adoptions from Ethiopia are on the increase, growing 71 percent to 1,255 last year. "Ethiopia has become a country where, because of the transparency of the system, many are adopting," said Wallace. In the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, American adoptive parents have become a common sight in the city's hotels. On Monday, J.B. Sikes, of Anselmo, Neb., cradled his newly adopted son Binyam. "It was my desire that my family represent what the Kingdom of God looks like, and that's all different colors," the 39-year-old corn farmer said.

Adopting in Ethiopia, which cost about $30,000, was less expensive and restrictive than in the United States, said Sikes, who has two other biological children. "We started out wanting to adopt domestically, but we found we were the last one on everyone's list, because we have other children," he said.
_____
Associated Press reporters Vu Tien Hong in Hanoi, Carley Petesch in New York and Anita Powell in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, contributed to this report.

Congratulations to the Greder Family!

Lisa and her new daughter Lucy.

Lisa Greder, Director of Vietnam Adoptions for theAsianBridge, left for Vietnam on Sunday to adopt their new daughter, Lucy. If you would like to follow their journey, please visit their family web site at http://www.grederblessings.com.

The Korean Cinderella Story

You may have heard the Cinderella story, but have you heard it in Korean? This folktale will be told in Korean on Tuesday, April 22 at 4:30PM at the Indian Trails Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road Wheeling IL 60090.

In addition to the story, you will be making a traditional Korean 'Hanbok' out of origami.

All are welcome but this event is most appropriate for grades K - 3.

Registration is required at the following website.
http://itpld-res.itpld.lib.il.us/evanced/lib/eventsignup.asp?ID=4833&rts=&disptype=&return=eventcalendar.asp&pointer=&returnToSearch=&SignupType=&num=0&ad=&dt=mo&mo=4/1/2008&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=&AgeGroup=

For more information about Korean culture, please visit www.theasianbridge.org. If you have a cultural event you'd like to tell us about please contact Samantha Kim Morris, Director of Asian Culture for theAsianBridge, at samanthakimmorris@gmail.com.

Welcome Dave Basener, Director of China Adoptions

Dave, Emma & Jan Basener

We'd like to warmly welcome Dave Basener to the AsianBridge staff. While Dave has been a committed volunteer with our foundation, he has officially agreed to sign on as our Director of China Adoptions. I'll let Dave introduce himself...........

My name is Dave Basener. My wife, Jan, and I married in 1988 and our daughter, Emma, was born into our family in 2003, in China.We brought her home in January of 2005. Our daughter is now a 'big girl' of 5 and has always been a very happy child. She loves princesses, being one herself. She is a dancer and a singer. She plans to be a ballerina, a firefighter and a waiter in addition to continuing her career as a princess. I cannot imagine loving a child more than I love her. Adoption was not our first choice when we decided to have children, but when it became clear that we were going to have difficulty conceiving, we began to consider it. We started tentatively by attending some of the informational sessions that adoption agencies have, not leaving our names at first. We considered domestic adoption, but didn't feel comfortable with the process. When we looked into international adoption China was first on our list because of its prominence. However, we also looked into European countries because, as European-Americans, we figured we would not stand out as much. But, we were worried about the social and child-health circumstances surrounding adoption in the European countries open to us. Eventually we decided on China and an on agency, World Child. However, the ride was just beginning. Having started preparing our paperwork for China, the wait-times suddenly climbed into the 24 month range. So, since World Child had other country programs, we switched to Cambodia and continued preparing. The US INS shutdown Cambodian adoptions. So we switched our paperwork to Guatemala. The Guatemalan Supreme Court shut down international adoptions. By this time, the waiting time for China had dropped back down to about 1 year, so we switched back to China, just in time to adopt the little girl who was born to us. Today Emma is a healthy, happy little girl. We are fortunate to live in an area with a lot of adoptive families and she has many friends who were adopted. As for standing out as an obvious adoptive family ourselves, we now see it as a very positive aspect. We would not have met the many other adoptive families that we now know, nor been able to give advice and encouragement to the people who approach us everywhere to tell us that they are considering, or in the process of, adopting from Asia.

We are happy to talk about our adoption experiences. If you have any questions or would just like a bit of encouragement, please call or email: 630-690-1743 or basener@asianbridgestaff.org

Summer Culture Camps

Pat Deck's four beautiful daughters.

You may not believe it if you live in the midwest like me, but summer is just around the corner! It's time to start thinking about vacations, swimming, camping, reunions, picnics and..... summer camp! Sending your child to summer camp is a wonderful way of creating fun and memories, but a cultural summer camp for you adopted child can do even more. Here's what Pat Deck, our co-director of Parent Education for theAsianBridge has to say:

"My children have attended Chinese school since they were 2 or so. My oldest who will soon be 13 is now taking Mandarin in her middle school as a seventh grader. She loves the class and the girls have always enjoyed attending Chinese school every Saturday. They get to go to school with kids who all have a "forever day", who all know they have a birth mother and adoptive parents who love them, and they all look like each other and have parents who look different. Having these friends who have so much in common with them has so many benefits. My children have friends for life. They are connected by their culture, by their friendships and with their families. Adoptive children need to connect with each other to share their thoughts, fears and joys. My four girls all have learned simple Chinese childrens' dances that have allowed them to understand the schools and activities they never got to experience. The have learned simple childrens' songs and they have learned to write in Mandarin both with characters and in Pinyin. They have proudly demonstrated their learning to their classmates in their local school, by dancing, sharing Chinese New Year, using the language and showing their friends that they may look a bit different, they are proud of who they are and who they are becoming. As these children learn about their roots and their past, they are able to embrace the present and look to their future with confidence. I am proud to parent these charming young ladies as they learn who they are and who they will become. "

Has your child gone to a summer camp to learn about their birth culture? If so, we'd love for you to share your thoughts and experiences with our readers.

Below is a list of summer camps offered around the country (and even some in China). If you've never considered it, I encourage you to check them out.

Asian Heritage Camp, Virgina
Email: grace_song74@hotmail.com
Phone: 301-587-7068

Camp Choson, Hudson, WI (Korea)

http://www.campchoson.org/

Camp Chingu, Pittsford, NY (Korea)

http://www.campchingu.org/

Camp Friendship, Palmyra, VA (Korea)

http://www.campfriendship.com/

Camp Friendship, Stirling, NJ (Korea & China)
Webpage: http://www.campfriendshipnj.com/
Contacts Lynn Bocchini and Cathy Feeney

Camp Hwarang Teen Camp, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Phone: 612-644-3251

Camp Kajok - Indianapolis, IN (Korea)
Email: rbuhrt@aftinc.net
Phone: 317-573-0849

The day camp will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Korean Presbyterian Church, located on 1020 E. 101st Street in Indianapolis. The camp is conducted by representatives of the Kajok Camp Board, the Korean Presbyterian Church and other noted experts from the local Indianapolis Korean community

Camp Moo Gung Hwa - North Carolina (Korea)
Webpage: www.campmoogunghwa.org/
Email: epoore1@juno.com

Camp Moo Gung Hwa is a day camp designed to enhance adopted Korean-American children's knowledge of Korean culture and to promote their self-esteem. Classes and activities, taught by members of the Korean community, include history, language, literature, dance, Tae Kwon Do, music cooking and arts and crafts. Introducing the children to their native culture helps them build a sense of identify and encourages healthy self-esteem.

Camp Moon Hwa, Minnesota (Korea)
Webpage: members.aol.com/moonhwa
Phone: 507-281-5838

Camp Mu Ji Gae, Albany, NY (Korea)
Webpage: http://www.campmujigae.org/
Email: suttonc@parsonscenter.org
Phone: 518-426-2600, 518-355-8705

Camp Namu, Arendtsville, PA (Korea)
Webpage: http://www.lutherancamping.org/
Email: campnamu@lutherancamping.org

The Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania is adding a new program to its ministry lineup. This summer it has organized a pilot heritage camp for families who have at least one member adopted from Korea. The camp will include Bible study and worship, adoption-related discussions, a variety of Korean culture activities, and time to enjoy the outdoors. Registration materials and more details will be available online by March 1

Camp Sejong, Branchville, NJ (Korea)
Webpage: www.campsejong.org/
Email: lpriore2@optonline.net
Phone: 201-391-5598

Founded in 1990 by adoptive parents, Camp Sejong has grown into one of the premier Korean culture camps in America. While most of our campers have come from the New York, Philadelphia and Boston metropolitan areas, we have also drawn campers from as far away as Virginia and Illinois and even Korea.

Catalyst Foundation Vietnam Culture Camp, Northfield, MN (Vietnam)

http://www.catalystfoundation.org/

Chinese Children Adoption International, Centennial, CO (China)

www.chinesechildren.org/school

Colorado Heritage Camps, Fraser, CO (Multi-Cultural)
Webpage: http://www.heritagecamps.org/
Email: hcamps@juno.com

Concordia Language Village, Minnesota (Multi-Cultural)
Webpage: clvweb.cord.edu/prweb/
Email: clv@cord.edu
Phone: 800-222-4750, 218-299-4544

Dillon International Heritage Camp, Tulsa, OK (Multi-Cultural)

http://www.dilloninternational.org/

Families For International Children Heritage Camp, Grand Rapids, MI

(Multi-Cultural)
Webpage: http://www.fficgr.org/
Email: SoltysiakP@aol.com

Designed to help adopted children experience the culture of their birth country through art, dance, music, stories and cuisine. The day camp is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northern Trails Middle School.

Families With Children From China, South Jersey, NJ (China)

http://www.southjerseyfcc.org/

Hand Around the World, Roselle, IL (Multi-Cultural)

http://www.handsaroundtheworld.com/

Holt Heritage Camp, Oregon, New Jersey, Nebraska (Multi-Cultural)
Webpage: www.holtintl.org/camp/

Iowans for International Adoption, Cedar Falls, IA (Korea)

http://www.iiakampretreat.com/

KAMP, Iowa (Korea)

Webpage: http://www.iiakampretreat.com/
Email: kamp@iiakampretreat.com

KAMP is a culture camp for adoptive families with Korean children 5-18. Recognizing that adoption is a family issue, KAMP seeks to provide educational and social experiences not only for Korean adoptees, but also for their parents and siblings.

KampKimchee, Brainerd/Baxter, MN (Korea)

http://www.kampkimchee.org/

Kamp Chin-gu, Minnesota
Webpage: www.kam3000.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={F42B2387-59DA-4545-965F-5F6153E15682}
Email: mailto:mpeterson@abraauto.com%20or%20scpark@attbi.com
Phone: 612-747-1557

This seven day camp is packed full of excitement and life lessons. From the minute groups arrive, they are challenged and encouraged to participate in a number of activities that are designed to stretch them both physically and spiritually. Students will do things that they probably have never done before and learn to trust themselves, their friends, and their God in new ways.

Korean American Pride, Utah (Korea)
Email: zippedoda@msn.com
Phone: 801-280-6559
Contact is Gary Beutler

Korean Culture Camp of Eastern Michigan (Korea)
Webpage: http://www.koreanculturecamp.org/
Email: info@koreanculturecamp.org

The Korean Culture Camp of Eastern Michigan is a one-week summer day camp in Michigan (between Lansing and Flint). Campers are Korean adoptees and other children interested in Korean culture, age three through middle school. The camp runs from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm each day and provides fun activities to teach the children their cultural heritage. These activities include art, music, taekwondo, stories, Korean language and Korean food. The class counselors are college-age Korean-Americans. Through the activities the children also get to meet other Korean adoptees and make lasting friendships.

Korean Heritage Camp, Oklahoma (Korea)
Email: bev@dillonadopt.com

Our Korean Kids International Adoptee's Camp, Kentucky (Korea)
Phone: 502-244-8067

Sae Jong Camp, Michigan (Korea)
Webpage: www.saejongcamp.com/
Email: info@saejongcmap.com
Phone: (248) 705-9804 - Jeanah Hong

Sae Jong Camp is a summer camp for children of Korean heritage held at Camp Westminster on beautiful Higgins Lake in central Michigan. At Sae Jong Camp, our campers explore their Korean-American identities, learn about their Korean heritage, and make friendships to last a lifetime. Sae Jong Camp 2004 dates are as follows: Session 1: Sunday, August 8 – Saturday, August 14, 2004; for adopted Korean-Americans only Session 2: Sunday, August 15 – Saturday, August 21, 2004; for all Korean-Americans (adopted, 2nd gen., 3rd gen., etc.) Please visit our website at http://www.saejongcamp.com/ for the latest information and updates. If you have any questions, please email info@saejongcamp.com

Smith College Culture Camp (Korea)
Email: mkim3@smith.edu
Phone: 413-585-6293 - Crystal Kim,

The Smith College KASS (Korean-American Students Association) is offering a day-long Culture Camp that offers children an opportunity to delve further into the Korean culture. We are very excited about this unique opportunity to make a difference beyond the scope of our campus! We aim to explore the arts, language, folk tales, food, and rich tradition of Korea through numerous fun activities throughout the day! The ages of children who attended Culture Camp last year were from 4 to 12 years old, but we welcome children of all ages to join in the fun.

Wide Horizons for Children Culture Camp (Korea)

www.whfc.org/events

Xilin Asian Community Center, Naperville, IL. Camps are held in cities in China. (China)

http://www.xilin.org/

Our Chinese Daughters Foundation Olympics

Our Chinese Daughters Foundation (OCDF) (http://www.ocdf.org/) will be celebrating the Beijing 2008 Olympics on August 7-11 on the campus of Illinois State University, and around the community of Bloomington-Normal, IL!

Can't make it to China to celebrate the Beijing summer olympics? Looking for a great fun and educational summer trip your entire family will still be talking about when school begins in the fall? OCDF will be recreating some of the Olympic spectacle in central Illinois this summer! Your family will have the amazing opportunity to connect to China through sports events, arts, crafts, music, dance, and seminars on Chinese culture. They are planning activities for the entire family: toddlers through grandparents! This event is the perfect setting to introduce your child to Chinese culture in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, or to celebrate your family's Chinese connection during this historic event.

OCDF Chinese Culture and Sports Weekend Features:

* Parade of Provinces, featuring ISU's award-winning marching band
* Gamma Phi circus performance
* Fireworks display
* Walk-around character (Sagwa is invited!)
* Meet the Authors (Check the Authors page as authors confirm space in their schedules.)
* Provincial Reunion meetings for adoptive families
* Live satellite feed of the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremonies projected onto the mega-large screen at ISU's Braden Auditorium
* Mega-large screen showing of olympic events throughout the weekend
* Sports events (We have access to ISU's extensive sports facilities! Your child will love the excitement of competing on the grounds of a large university.)
* Arts & Crafts (featuring traditional Chinese artisanal crafts)
* Family Chinese Culture Seminars
* Music (hands-on instrument play!)
* Dance (enjoy learning traditional Chinese dance in a low-stress atmosphere!)
* Fun Games for all ages
* Indoor infant and toddler playroom (large, fenced-in outdoor playground also available)
* Gamma Phi Circus Acrobatics Workshops (extra fee)
* Children's medal ceremony (every child who participates will be recognized!)
* Other activities on campus during the weekend program:
* Photography from China Exhibition at Center for Visual Arts - Art Gallery
* Music and Dance performances by local and professional groups
* Ask Jane in China Bring Dr. Jane Liedtke your questions about China, Chinese culture, living in China, returning to (or living in) China with your adopted child.
* OCDF Marketplace will be open Thursday thru Sunday 9am thru 6pm for your shopping pleasure - items from China and official Beijing 2008 Olympics memorabilia.
* Silent Auction held in the Old Main Room Fri-Sun. Bid on gift certificates and other merchandise. Proceeds benefit our orphan support projects in China.
* More events being added weekly!

You can find more details and information at www.ocdf.org

Welcome Samantha Kim Morris, our new Director of Asian Culture

We are excited to welcome Samantha Kim Morris as our new Director of Asian Culture.

Samantha is currently married, with a two year old son named, Josiah, and is expecting her second child. Samantha was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States when she was 3 1/2 years old. She grew up in Chicago and Palatine, IL. She attended Judson University in Elgin, where she met her husband, Curtis. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Science.

Samantha was very involved in Judson's multicultural club, United Cultures of Judson, UCJ. She still keeps in touch with many of her international friends and hangs out with them now at their children's birthday parties. She coordinated a trip to Chicago's Koreatown with her socialology class her senior year. She was the president of the Circle K Club, the college version of Kiwanis and volunteered in many projects like Make a Difference Day and building a school playground in Elgin, to name a few.

Samantha started her non-for-profit career as an AmeriCorp member for the American Red Cross of Chicago and worked her way up to being the Director of Youth Services for the Red Cross of Silicon Valley in San Jose, California. She worked with the American Red Cross for 5 years and switched gears. She has been working with Junior Achievement for the past 5 1/2 years, starting as an Education Manager at JA of Silicon Valley and transferred back to Chicago to work as the Senior Operations Manager for JA of Chicago.

Samantha enjoys sharing her Korean culture to others, as well as getting to know many other cultures. She had several friends, growing up, who were Korean adoptees and has a special place in her heart to help adoptees and their families. Samantha is very active in her church, Prayer Garden Ministries in Evanston, as the Children's Ministry Teacher. Some of her hobbies are dancing, listening to music, playing the piano and hanging out with family and friends.

Please check out the web site in the next few months as Samantha builds the "Cultural Information" section. If you have questions about Asian culture or ideas about what would be helpful information on the web site, please contact her at samanthakimmorris@gmail.com.

Thank You Loyola Students!

Last night a team of MBA students at Loyola University gave their final presentation of a business plan they created for theAsianBridge. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Lucia Cho, Samantha Jerusalmy, Katie Larcher, Urmi Mehta, David Mjavanadze, Pat Thornton and Professor Michael Welch. After months of research and planning, they put together a creative plan that will help us take our Foundation to the next level, and will literally change the lives of orphans on the other side of the world. Thank You!

The Arenson's Are Home

Hello everyone, Feb . 7, 2008

We are happy to say that we are home from Taiwan! After our Tuesday morning AIT appt., Bella's visa was ready at 11:30 a.m. We left for the airport at 1:30 & flew out at 6:20 p.m. After an 11 hour flight to L.A., we went through customs where Bella became a U.S. citizen. By the way, she slept for about 8 hours of the 11 hour flight. Our excitement was short-lived when we found out that our flight from L.A. to Chicago was cancelled. The weather all around the country caused many flights to be cancelled. They told us we were re-booked on the 6:00 a.m. flight Wednesday morning. We got a hotel room & went to bed. We checked out of the hotel at 3:30 a.m. & went to the airport. We were very nervous that our flight would be cancelled yet again because of the snowstorm in Chicago. Luckily, we left on schedule & flew into snowy Chicago at 12:30 p.m. We had to be one of the last flights to arrive at O'Hare. My brothers Tom & Pat, Mom & Mia were there to greet us.

We are adjusting well, just very tired. Bella was not too crazy about the dogs, but she is getting used to them. She loves to watch Mia dance around. Even with all the frustration & anxiety of the last 10 days, we still know that we brought home the best souvenir ever!

Lori & Marc

China's Winter Storm Crisis

As many of you know, China is in the midst of a winter storm crisis. The southern provinces are particularly vulnerable since they are not prepared for the snow or ice. Many of the orphanages are without heat, food and other supplies to keep themselves and the children safe. I urge you to visit http://www.halfthesky.org/ to get more details and to donate money to help purchase heaters, blankets and food. They have a listing of each orphanages needs, and the progress that already has been made with the money already received.

A rescue man carries an 80-year-old woman, out of Jinlian village in Longnan county, central China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 3, 2008. Some 1761 people in Jinlian village trapped for days of frozen weather and without electricity and water supply were rescued successfully on Sunday. (Xinhua Photo)

Stranded train passengers wait outside a railway station in the southern city of Guangzhou on Friday. Millions of Chinese were stranded by snow ahead of Spring Festival, the most important holiday of the year. (China Daily/Reuters Photo)

Arenson Update #4

Hello everyone, Feb. 4, 2008

Yeah, we are finally coming home!!!! Here is what has happened. It is Monday night in Taiwan. We woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for a breakfast buffet Super Bowl Party that started at 6:30 a.m. & to meet our adoption representative at 8:00 a.m. After being told that the AIT still did not have our paperwork, we decided to call the owner of our adoption agency. He contacted Guangzhou, China & found out the tracking # of the package. As of this morning, it was in Taiwan, at the airport. Marc contacted Fedex & asked them to please deliver the package to AIT by 3:00 p.m. At about 3:30, the package arrived at our hotel room??? We were very confused, but think that Fedex changed the delivery location when Marc phoned about the package. Anyways, Marc hopped in a taxi & delivered the package to the AIT personally. They determined that everything was in order & told us to come back on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. for our appt. We could finally get Bella's visa to come home. We are now booked on the 6:20 p.m. flight out of Taiwan. We should arrive back in Chicago sometime around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night after a layover in L.A. Anyone feel like picking us up??? We are very excited to be returning home.

Bella's 1st birthday was a little stressful for Mom & Dad. We will make it up to her with a party. I included a photo of Bella telling us she is 1 & one of the three of us at the Super Bowl party. See you all soon!

Lori & Marc

Arenson Update #3

Feb. 1, 2008

Hello everyone,

We are doing well here in Taiwan. Bella is adjusting well & is very attached to me. Tonight, she couldn't fall asleep because she kept checking to see if I was still there. Right now, I can't be out of her sight or she starts crying. Very loud. Like a thunderstorm! She has finally shown us that she can walk. Up until now, she didn't let us put her down. She is getting more comfortable & has started playing with some toys on the floor. She continues to imitate everything we do & has started laughing at things. It's fun to watch her true personality come out. She seems to love seeing other children. She will fit in perfectly at home!

We can't wait for her to meet you Mia! As of right now, we are supposed to call the AIT on Monday morning to see if they have received our paperwork or know if it is on the way. If so, we will complete our appointment for her visa & they will try to complete her visa the same day. If that happens, then we are free to leave Monday night. If not, we may not leave until Tuesday. We have contacted the airlines & have an open reservation & will try to get on the next flight out. Either way, we will get home Monday or Tuesday night. With the time change, we gain 14 hours so it's like we get home in a few hours. (Don't we wish!) Will keep you posted.

Lori

Arenson Update #2

Wednesday, January 30th

Hello everyone,

We are doing ok here. Bella's first night was almost unbelievable. We put her to bed at 8:00 p.m. & she slept straight through until 9:00 a.m. She seems to be adjusting, but doesn't want us to put her down when she's awake. I believe that is normal behavior until she knows she can trust us. While she is napping & Marc is reading I am sorting through the pictures on the disk they gave us from the orphanage. I have attached a few of the pictures. Two of the pictures are of her with a doll that we sent her:) We received many wonderful keepsakes from the orphanage & gifts from her birthmother & grandmother.

I also wanted to let everyone know that we are going to be delayed a few days. As of right now, we are unable to get her visa issued from the AIT (American Institute in Taiwan). Apparently, our original paperwork for adoption was sent to Guangzhou, China in August 2007 by the US Center of Immigration Services in Chicago in error. The AIT cannot process her visa without it. As of right now, the US Consulate in China is express mailing our packet to the AIT & they expect to receive it on Monday the 4th. We are hoping to leave for home on either Monday night or Tuesday. We will keep you posted. Enjoy the pictures!

Lori

Update from the Arenson's

Hello all,

Well, after 32 hours of travel (1st flight was cancelled, so we missed our second flight), a 45 minute ride to our hotel, a quick shower, a scary cab ride through the city & a run through the train station, we barely made it to St. Lucy to pick her up.

Here are some of the first photos we took with her. She has a great personality! She's actually pretty funny & loves to imitate everything. In the few short hours that we've had her, she has already started learning signs & loves to clap for herself when she gets it right. The only time she has cried is when I left the room and we can't believe that we laid her in the crib & she went right to sleep. It's almost unbelievable.

Mia & her will get along great & we can't wait to get home to see you all (we love you Mia). Enjoy!

Lori & Marc

They're Off!

Marc, Lori and Mia

Today Marc and Lori Arenson leave to pick up their precious new daughter, Isabella, in Taiwan. Their journey began in July of 2006 when they signed on with Journeys of the Heart (JOH) adoption agency to adopt a baby from China. As many of you know, in fall of 2006 China made some major changes in their policies and procedures which is currently making the waiting period about 3 years. The Arenson's were given the opportunity to switch to JOH's newly acquired adoption program in Taiwan. After much thought, Marc and Lori decided that the switch would be the best decision for their growing family. They already have a 4 1/2 year old daughter, Mikayla (Mia). About a year later, Marc and Lori received a referral for a beautiful baby girl. She will celebrate her first birthday on February 4th with her forever family.

Isabella

Isabella (Bella) is currently awaiting her parents arrival at St. Lucy Center in Tainan, Taiwan. St. Lucy Center (stlucycenter.org) is an orphanage run by the Good Shepherd Sisters. They saw a desperate need to help women in a culture where unwed mothers are shunned by family and society. The center provides loving care, education and adoption services for these mostly teenage mothers.

Marc and Lori will arrive in Taiwan on Jan 28th and receive their daughter at St. Lucy's center on Jan 29th. They will spend a few days sightseeing and completing adoption paperwork and will be home in less than a week. I will post an update on their journey in the next few days.

Lori is the Director of Taiwan adoptions for theAsianBridge. If you have questions about adopting children from Taiwan you may contact her at larenson328@yahoo.com.

Save This Date!

Mia and her forever family met on January 16, 2006.

On Saturday, May 17th, 2008, theAsianBridge will hold it's 2nd annual silent and live auction fundraiser. It will once again be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. Proceeds from the auction will provide financial grants for families adopting from Asian countries. We have many applications pending, and we'd love to be able to help each and every family provide an orphaned child with a loving family and home.

You can help more children find their forever homes by being a part of our fundraising efforts. There are many ways in which you can help including:

1. Obtaining auction items

* Solicit merchants in your community.

* Request auction items from the company you work for.

* Donate an item of your own.

* Purchase and donate an item.

2. Assist administratively

* Coordinate and log items.

* Help address and mail 300 invitations.

* Research cost of items.

* Help us plan.

3. Spread the word

* Bring your friends and/or family.

* Plan a night out with parents from your travel group.

* Send invitations to friends and family.

* Set up media interviews.

4. Help out at the event

* Set-up and take-down.

* Cashier.

* Bartend.

* Be a table captain.

* Help in the kitchen.

5. Help find a corporate sponsor

* Inquire within the company you work for.

* Inquire at the businesses in your community.

For more information or if you would like to help, please call Geoff Shaw at 630-665-0304.

TheAsianBridge Staff

TheAsianBridge staff would like to welcome you to our blog. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about the Foundation or if we can help answer questions about Asian adoptions.


Dina Ackermann, Director of Communications
H: 630-213-3558 C: 708-363-2599
ackermann95@att.net

Lori Arenson, Taiwan Director
H: 630-372-9799
larenson328@yahoo.com

Pat Deck, Education Co-Director
Home: 303-862-7160 Cell: 719-244-5218
Pat_deck@comcast.net

Alyssa Ericksen, Special Needs Director
H: 303-459-2340 C: 303-880-1288
brennensmom@yahoo.com

Lisa Greder, Vietnam Director
H: 812-853-2105
lgreder@hotmail.com

Linda Mannix, South Korea Director
h: 630-588-8813, c: 630-835-6507
ltmannix@sbcglobal.net

David D. Mattern, Board of Directors
ddm52@ aol.com

Jan Merola, Education Co-Director
H: 719-391-5108
janillamaell@msn.com

Kristy Radcliffe, Single Parent Adoptions Director
H: 630-375-1432
Kristy.radcliffe@sbcglobal.net

Robert Shanahan, Board of Directors
RSHANAHAN@palatinebank.com

Geoff & Heather Shaw, Founders/Board of Directors
H: 630-207-9921/630-665-0304
geoffshaw@ameritech.net



Resources:
Manning, Debbie: Webmaster
Office: 630-668-0603
Fax: 630-668-4404
Debmanning1@gmail.com

Chinese New Year

February 7th, 2008, is the official start of the Chinese New Year. This has always been a fun time for our family. We celebrate by decorating the house with lanterns and decorations that we acquired in Chicago's Chinatown and on our last trip to China. I've had the privilege of attending my daughter's classrooms and teaching the kids some of the traditions of the Chinese New Year. We like to dress up in our fanciest Chinese clothing and each student goes home with a hong bao (lucky red envelope) with chocolate coins inside.

One of our families favorite Chinese New Year traditions is to go to an annual gathering put on by Sunnyridge Family Center, a local adoption agency. If you live in the Chicagoland area, I encourage you to attend. There is live entertainment (some adult entertainers and some children's dancing groups), games, crafts, vendors selling Chinese gifts, and a raffle. There is also Chinese food available. Staff from theAsianBridge will also be there so please stop by our table and say hello.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008

12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

Location: College of DuPage - Student Resource Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL.

Adults $11.00

Children $5.00 (children under 2 are free)

Activity Punch Cards $5.00

The Putian Welfare Institute Humanitarian Aid and the Special Needs Services through Sunny Ridge Family Center are among the programs benefitting from donations and proceeds of the Chinese New Year Event. For more information visit http://www.sunnyridge.org/ or call 630-754-4504.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!........................................Happy New Year!