Carolina Adoption Services

Returning to Her Homeland

CAS — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:27:15 +0000

Six years ago, Steve and Kim Dunning adopted a 14-year-old girl from Moldova. Holly Dunning had not returned to her homeland since moving with her family to the United States. That is, until November 2010, when the now 20-year-old traveled back to Moldova for the first time since her departure. The trip in her own words:

“Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Holly Dunning, formerly known as Elizaveta Eftodii. I just turned 20-years-old on Nov. 19, 2010. I recently spent two weeks visiting my relatives in Moldova, and hoping to help lend a hand with my parents and make a difference in other peoples lives the way my parents have done for me.

I could not express in words the emotions flowing through me the day I stepped off the plane for my first time back in my home country [of] Moldova. I felt a deep connection with my homeland, and a gratitude to my parents for all of the opportunities offered to me in the past six years spent in the United States.

Speaking the language at first was a challenge. I found myself struggling to form sentences and to translate words, but I knew it would only be a short time for my native language to become more familiar to me. We immediately started visiting families and kindergartens through a social worker named Lidia Jubea. She is extremely passionate about her work and does everything in her power to help out in every little way she can. I felt joy in my heart knowing that I was now able to give back, and to lend a helping hand to children that embodied me six years ago.

At first, we visited a kindergarten and it reminded me a whole lot of the [one] I had attended. I helped hand out candy to all the children, knowing how happy each piece would make them. We went and visited several families in need and we were welcomed with the warmest of hospitality. I knew in my heart that the little refreshment every family offered us was more than they could afford and that made it even more special.

While in Moldova, I had the opportunity to meet with some of the adoption officials. It was my hope to show them a positive outcome in foreign adoptions. I wanted them to see that even though an American family adopted me, it did not diminish my love and connection to my home country, but encouraged me to come back and help others in need.

Overall, returning to Moldova gave me a new perspective, not only on life in the states, but it also helped me set new goals in order to help and give back to the country of my birth. It was an amazing blessing knowing in my heart that I could ease others burdens by helping the best I could. I pray that this trip was just the beginning of many more to come.”

Father Frost & the Snow Maiden Are Coming January 14

Siri — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Join Carolina Adoption Services for a festive celebration of Eastern Europe holiday traditions this Saturday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Brookhaven Country Day School.

Crafts, games, and fun activities will be provided for all. Mingle with adoptive families from Eastern European countries and CAS Staff, and learn more about the beloved Russian fairytale of Father Frost and the Snow Maiden.

Please RSVP to Helen, 336.275.9660.

Brookhaven Country Day School is located at 3207 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC 27410.
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Toddler Boy Waiting for You

Siri — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:07:43 +0000

EE-SO “Steven”

Region: Eastern Europe
Gender: Boy
Date of Birth: June 2010
Requirements for Adopting Families:
Parental age: 25-55 years
Single Parent Eligible: Yes, Female
Children in the Home: No restriction

I am a 19 month old little boy with big blue eyes and the cutest pout. What I really want is a family to love me. I have some delays but nothing that we cannot overcome together. The doctor said I have strabismus and that my kidney is enlarged, but otherwise consider me to have satisfactory heath. Would you be interested in being my family, we should not spend another holiday without each other.

Click Here if you are interested in learning more.

Moldova Sponsorship Program Welcomes Six New Students

Siri — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:43:48 +0000

The students in the Moldovan Sponsorship Program met recently for a pizza lunch in Chişinău to celebrate the holidays a little early. The program welcomed 6 new students, growing to a total of 31 thanks to the generous support of sponsors, our wonderful in-country student liaison Angela Arhip, new program coordinator Marcy McHenry, and on-going CAS support. This year, the sponsorship fund was able to give each student a little holiday treat – a mug filled with candy. A small but special gift, especially for those students who have never received presents for the holidays. Students and sponsors often exchange holiday cards, and the students took this opportunity to write a note to their sponsor to wish them a happy holiday and to express their gratitude.

The program currently has waiting students who need sponsors and the emotional and financial support of this program. These are young people have spent some or all of their first 16 years in an orphanage, and now must navigate through life while attending secondary educational institutions. They have little or no familial support, and for them this program is a lifeline to help make ends meet and while achieving their goals. For more information on the program, sponsorship or to read the latest newsletter, see the sponsorship page or contact Marcy, MSP coordinator.

Donate today to help a student.

Children Need You!

Siri — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:57:58 +0000

Share your love and warm a heart this holiday season with a donation to children in need.

Why Now?

Adoptions by Americans have decrease 53% in the past 5 years. This leaves thousands of children wanting a family of their own and left in orphanages each year.

Greater numbers of children have been abandoned due to the world economic crisis. The smallest effort on our part can bring about the greatest victory for these children’s lives.

Most importantly these children really need all of us as donors, adoptive families, or advocates. Together, we can make a difference in the children’s lives and provide a better and brighter future!

You can…

Lift a Child’s Hope: Your generous support of humanitarian projects makes a child’s life better.

Open Your Heart: The need for adoptive families is greater than ever.

Visualize the Difference: Help families hoping to adopt older and special needs children though support of the scholarship fund.

Every child deserves a family: Your contribution will help change the lives of countless children waiting for a family.

Take Action…

Donate to the CAS Generous Hearts Fund (click here to donate)

Consider adopting and open your heart to a child (click here to learn more about the children available)

Tell your friends and family about the need and what they can do (share the CAS website with others and your belief in our mission)

Holiday Cards to Help Children

Siri — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:38:37 +0000

Looking for a unique gift to honor that certain someone special who has everything? Look no further! The Carolina Adoption Services Holiday Honor cards will bring a smile to your someone special’s face and brighten the life of a child all with a simple gift.

Holiday Honor Cards are 5″ x 7”. Holiday cards will include an In Honor insert for you to include when sending to loved ones.

You can help by requesting these holiday honor cards to give to your family and friends. A small donation of $5 or more for each card will certainly help CAS further the mission of helping needy children have better lives and brighter futures.

To request cards, please fill out the order form and fax, 336.273.9804, or e-mail, to Siri Scott. You may also call and speak with Cindi or Siri.

Holiday Card Order Form

“May your holiday season be warm and bright and may you be surrounded by family & friends.”

Four Children Wait for You

Siri — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:53:08 +0000

Four boys considered healthy wait for you to be their forever family! Meet Andrew, Charles, Christian, and Luke.

EE6-A “Andrew”

Region: Eastern Europe
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 2005
Requirements for Adopting Families:
Parental age: 25 years or older
Single Parent Eligible: Yes, Female and Male
Children in the Home: No restriction

Andrew is an adorable 6 year old boy! He is described as being clinically healthy and his only special need is that he is deaf. Andrew communicates through gestures and gets along well with children and adults. He is a happy little boy in need of a family.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about “Andrew”

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EE10-CP “Charles”

Region: Eastern Europe
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 2001
Requirements for Adopting Families:
Parental age: 25 years or older
Single Parent Eligible: Yes, Female and Male
Children in the Home: No restriction

Charles is 10 years old and considered to be healthy. He is physically developmentally delayed with a malformation of the limbs due to untreated rickets when he was a baby. He does not require any special medical care. Charles gets along well with other children and adults and he enjoys drawing.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about “Charles”

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EE8-K “Christian”

Region: Eastern Europe
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 2003
Requirements for Adopting Families:
Parental age: 25 years or older
Single Parent Eligible: Yes, Female and Male
Children in the Home: No restriction

Christian is 8 years old and needs a family to help him thrive. He is considered to have moderate mental and speech delays and he has strabismus. Christian likes to dance and use his imagination. He struggles in school but does receive extra assistance. He know how to follow instructions and enjoys spending time with children and adults.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about “Christian”

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EE11-LY “Luke”

Region: Eastern Europe
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 2000
Requirements for Adopting Families:
Parental age: 25 years or older
Single Parent Eligible: Yes, Female and Male
Children in the Home: No restriction

Luke recently turned 11 years old and he is described as healthy. He is a skilled artist and enjoys participating in group activities at the orphanage. He does not require special care and communicates well with children and adults. Luke is described as a leader and he enjoys having an opinion about things.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about “Luke”

New Safety Check Service Available

Siri — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:37:47 +0000

If you are participating in an orphan hosting program many agencies require you to have a safety check conducted before the children arrive. We are able to complete these for you if you live in NC, NJ, SC, or VA.

What is included in a safety check?

A onetime visit by a professional social worker

Checks the safety of the home

Brief interviews with each family member including: parenting styles, a short bio, relationship, criminal record, income information, etc.

Description of home and neighborhood

Verification of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency plans, firearms, and security of a home pool (if applicable)

A final report delivered to the International Hosting Program as well as to you.

For families who choose CAS for their safety check you will have the option to apply (within a year) for a home study and have the application fee waived. Your same social worker would also be able to do your home study!

If you are hosting a child or considering hosting please contact, Susan or Marie for more information.

Why We Adopted From Russia

Siri — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:32:11 +0000

By Bobbie Lou & Doug, parents of beautiful Abigail

When choosing to adopt a child to join our family, we wanted to find a country and agency that would meet our needs with making the decision to become parents. In doing research, we chose the country of Russia and CAS to assist us. We chose Russia due to the rich cultural heritage and strong beliefs within the Eastern Orthodox religion and CAS because of their long history with having successful Russian adoptions.

Upon traveling to Russia two times over our year and a half process to adopt our daughter, we learned a vast amount about the people of Russia and the culture in which they live. We resided in Russia for 4 weeks on our second trip to the country. In doing this we were able to experience the life that our daughter lived as a Russian citizen and take an active part in that piece of her life. We were also able to visit different parts of the city in which she was born and bring parts of her culture home with us to share with her throughout her life. Valuable friendships were made in Russia that are still a part of our life today.

Our experience with the Russian adoption process brought many cherished aspect to our life. The most valuable is our beautiful daughter, as well as additional family members within CAS and throughout Russia.

If you are interested in adopting from Russia, contact Tania today to learn more. Families beginning their adoptions will look forward to an adoption journey full of support and lasting treasures just like Bobbie Lou & Doug’s.

Learn More
Adopting from Russia Information Page
Download a copy of our adoption information packet
Contact Tania, Russian Adoption Coordinator

Begin Your Adoption from Russia!

Vietnam Ratifies Hague Convention

Siri — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:49:31 +0000

On November 10, 2011 the US State Department issued a notice about adoptions from Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government formally ratified the Hague Adoption Convention on November 1, 2011. According to the State Department’s announcement, the Hague Convention will enter into force on February 1, 2012 in Vietnam. Please note this does not mean that on February 1 adoptions from Vietnam to the United States will resume. It will take time for the Vietnamese Government to have all of the necessary procedures in place. It is also not known at this time what this program may be like (age of children available, how long the process may take to complete, etc.).

Carolina Adoption Services remains in contact with our Vietnamese team and will continue to post any official announcements on our website. For more information please visit the U.S. State Department’s website.