April Gifts of Love Donations!
Below are photos of the Gifts of Love donations made in April. For more information on what Gifts of Love is, please visit this page!
The Stork has Landed at Great Wall!
Yesterday we received 6 referrals for families whose dossiers were logged in on August 29, 2006. This referral group included 6 girls whose ages ranged from 8 months to 20 months. Children in this referral group were from the Fujian and Jiangxi provinces. Congratulations to all of these families!
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We Need You to Advocate for the Adoption Tax Credit!
What is the adoption tax credit?
The adoption tax credit, which can be claimed for eligible adoption-related expenses, has helped thousands of American families offset the high cost of adoption since the credit was established in 1997. It has made adoption a financially viable option for many parents who might not otherwise have been able to afford adoption, allowing them to provide children with loving, permanent families. With over 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system currently eligible for adoption, and an ever increasing number of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide languishing in institutions, the continuation of the adoption tax credit is vital to providing love, safety, and permanency through adoption to as many children as possible.
History of the Adoption Tax Credit
- The adoption tax credit has historically been a non-partisan issue, and is supported by the current administration as well as a majority of members of Congress.
- Although several different bills have been introduced to establish the adoption tax credit and make it a permanent part of the U.S. tax code, Congress has never passed legislation specific to the credit itself. Instead, the adoption tax credit has been extended every year since its initial passage as part of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.
- In December 2010, the Tax Relief Act extended the adoption tax credit through tax year 2012; for this year, the credit is once again nonrefundable.
- The current adoption tax credit is set to sunset on December 31, 2012. If it is allowed to expire, after tax year 2012 the adoption tax credit will revert back to a maximum tax credit of $6,000 for parents adopting children with special needs, and there will be no adoption tax credit available for all other adoptive parents beginning in tax year 2013.
For the full Adoption Tax Credit Advocacy Kit, click here.
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New Mandarin Video from the Cleft Palate Foundation
The Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to optimizing the quality of life for individuals affected by facial birth defects. It was founded by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in 1973 to be the public service arm of the professional Association.
The mission of CPF is to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial birth defects.
Fuling Kids International and CPF recently partnered together to place Mandarin subtitles on their feeding video to hopefully better inform and educate caregivers in Chinese orphanages and medical facilities caring for Chinese orphans.
Click here to watch the video! The video is also available in English here.
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CCCWA Exclusive Legacy Journey Tours!
GWCA/CAN runs Legacy Journey, our China homeland tour service, which helps families plan reunion tours to China for Chinese adoptees and their families. After adopting your child from China, you may have considered taking them back for a visit some day. We wanted to reach out and let you know about our new China Homeland Tour option where the CCCWA (Chinese government) sponsors your adopted child to go on the tour for FREE! All you have to pay is international airfare and a few meals for them in China. With your adopted child or children traveling free, you will save over $1700 per child on this trip, so take advantage of this opportunity and take your family back to China on a cultural adventure!
This generous offer by the Chinese government has been granted to Legacy Journey this year, thanks to Great Wall China Adoption’s special relationship with Chinese officials, but may not be guaranteed available for next year. For more information on this exclusive, once in a lifetime opportunity for your child to visit their homeland for free, please visit our Legacy Journey website at www.inviteyoutochina.org.
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2012 Together for Them Conference
The Together for Them Conference is an adoption, foster & orphan care conference. The Conference will provide families with resources, support, guidance, community, and hope surrounding their adoption and foster journeys. Multiple speakers and breakouts will provide education on such important topics as parenting methods (including Attachment, Theraplay, Sensory Issues), pre-post adoption planning, navigating the foster system, foster children and their needs, orphan care and other relevant issues. This conference will be the beginning for families to make valuable support connections and learn how best to meet the unique needs of the adopted and fostered children that are blessing our lives.
The conference is in the Houston area on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 8:30 am until 3:45!
For more information, please go to www.togetherforthem.org!
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Houston Area: Come Celebrate Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Celebration “The Year of the Dragon”
Where:
Wind Water Gallery (located in the Heights in Houston)
When:
Friday, January 28th
6:00 – 10:00 PM
Live Tradtional Chinese music
6:30 Lion Dance and Kung Fu exhibit
Saturday, January 29th
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Live Traditional Chinese Music
2:00 PM Lion Dance and Kung Fu exhibit
San Antonio Area: Come Celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Let’s kick off the Year of the Dragon with a traditional Chinese New Year Dinner. Bring your favorite Chinese dish such as:
- Noodles for Longevity
- Dumplings for Prosperity
- Oranges for Wealth
- Red Envelops for the kids
Date: January 21
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Still looking for a place, if anyone is interested in hosting. If no one is, the event will be held at Cheri’s house, just outside San Antonio.
RSVP: by January 18
Call Cheri 210-380-5108 or email.
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Houston Area: Come Celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Chinese New Year begins on Monday, January 23, 2012 and we are celebrating the Year of the Water Dragon. On Sunday, January 22, 2012 if you would like to join other post-adoptive families, waiting families, and anyone interested in Chinese adoptions to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year. We will be celebrating at Hunan Chef Restaurant, 3805 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas (across from Lakewood Church) starting at 5:30 p.m. The restaurant has a buffet and is very kid-friendly. The prices are as follows and include gratuity:
- Adult w/water $11.04
- Adult w/soda $12.66
- Adult w/tea $12.66
- Child w/water $5.14
- Child w/soda $7.08
Please RSVP to David Godwin by Friday, January 20, 2012 with the number attending from your family. If you have any questions, feel free to contact David at 713-301-7276 or email David.
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS EVENT WITH THE ANNUAL FCC LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENT!
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The Stork has Landed at Great Wall China Adoption Just in Time for the Holidays!
Yesterday, we received news that our families with Log-in Dates of August 8 and August 10 of 2006 have received referrals. We are so excited for these families! What a wonderful holiday gift!
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