We Are The Truth
A Campaign and Call to Action
The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed, and adopted children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.
You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals, and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families. You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child. You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and an entire life without a family.
You, the adoption community, know the truth. You live the truth. You are the truth.
Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe family.
What You Can Do
1) Sign the letter to President Medvedev and President Obama: The letter asks both Presidents to ensure that intercountry adoption continues uninterrupted and to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of children. You can sign anytime, but doing so before Tuesday night would help us get the letters to both Presidents before President Medvedev leaves the U.S. To sign the letter, click here.
2) We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!
3) Tell Your Truth with Video – make sure the world sees, hears and feels the thousands of successful adoptions from Russia by:
- Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption video via email to alexa.m@jcics.org.
i. Video should be a maximum of 3 minutes.
ii. A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your video. For a copy of the release, click here. Note that a digital signature is fine, so you can send it back as a .doc file – you do not have to handwrite and scan in the release form.
- Joint Council will translate the video into Russian and post it on our YouTube Channel.
4) Tell Your Truth with Words and Photos
- Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption story via email to alexa.m@jcics.org. Send us your stories through:
i. Photos (please do not send more than 10)
ii. Essays (maximum 500 words)
iii. A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your story and/or pictures. For a copy of the release, click here.. Note that a digital signature is fine, so you can send it back as a .doc file – you do not have to handwrite and scan in the release form.
- Joint Council will then compile the stories and pictures, translate them into Russian and post them on our website and/or blog.
5) Share Your Truth
- Joint Council will post, forward and share your stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Joint Council will be updating our YouTube Channel and Facebook page as the stories get compiled and translated, please subscribe to us on YouTube, Twitter and Fan us on Facebook.
- You do the same by posting on your Facebook, Twitter, blog and website!
Want to help more?
- Are you willing to speak to the media about your Russian adoption? If so, please email betheanswer@jcics.org with the following:
- Your name(s)
- City, State of residence
- Contact Phone Numbers
- Contact Email
- Short 4 sentence bio about your adoption
- Do you speak Russian?
- We are in need of individual volunteers who can help our staff translate the videos and text quickly. If you are interested in helping, email Joint Council at intern@jcics.org.
- Do you live in the Alexandria, VA area?
- Joint Council is in need of short term volunteers over the next two weeks, email rebeccah@jcics.org if you would like to volunteer.
betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com 
Thank you for a very concrete way to help. We’ll be posting the information on our website and social networking. I’m afraid I can’t locate the letter referenced, though.
I also cannot locate the letter.
Our apologies…of all things we forgot to include the link to the letter. We have now included the link to the letter in the post. Sorry for the oversight.
This is an enlightening Video. Adoptive parents who adopt a child and face issues have not many other options. Who can afford the Ranch for Kids? Only a tiny fraction. After seeing this i m disgusted by your campaign.
The truth cannot and should not be claimed for by a trade organisation which is a union of Adoption agencies. The truth is that there are many cases which are unseen.- you know it JCICS…you know it best.
JCICS,
do you remember the AMREX mess?
some blogs were advising adoptive parents to run away from the below agencies:
Where were you at that time?
Amrex-Using Agencies and e-Contact Info
AAA Partners in Adoption (GA) Melissa Clause – Executive Director mclause@aaapia.org
A Chosen Child Patricia Strowbridge, Esq.
A New Arrival LORI JONES info@anewarrival.com
Adopt Abroad Carol Albers
Adoption Access Debbie Hug admin@adoptionaccess.com
Adoption Avenues (OR) info@adoptionavenues.org
Adoption Blessings (AKA Tedi Bear) (GA) Tedi Martin Hedstrom tedi@adoptionblessingsworldwide.com
Adoption Covenant (TX) Merinda K. Condra, J.D. Executive Director Adoption Light (TX) Brooke Mizell Executive Director brooke@adoptionlight.com
Adoption Miracle (MN) Milena Gross, Executive Director info@adoptionmiracle.org
Adoption Placements Inc (FL) IN BANKRUPTCY
AICA adopting@comcast.net
Beacon House (AL) beacon01@bellsouth.net
Bethany Christian in Georgia Trish Small, Georgia Director tsmall@bethany.org
Building Blocks Adoption Service denise@bbas.org
Cherished Children International (SC) Steve Eargle – Executive Director cherishedchild2@aol.com
Children of the World (Fairhope, Alabama), reggie@childrenoftheworld.com
Children of the World (MO) ED: Rodolfo Rivera, rudy@childrenoftheworldnet.com
Children’s House International (WA) Executive Director: Deborah Price, BSW, 360 380-5370, chi4adopt@aol.com
Chrysalis House (CA) Interim Director – Lanny Knight lanny@chrysalishouse.com
Family Creations (FL) Kirk Zeppi, LMHC Executive Director KZeppi@FamilyCreationsInc.com
Florida Homestudies and Adoption Susan Taylor Payne Dir Social Work spayne@flhomestudies.com
Genesis Adoptions Lindsay Kirk – Executive Director 404-870-3901 8292 Highway 92, Suite 140 Woodstock, GA 30189 lindsay.genesisadoptions@yahoo.com
God’s Families (CA) James R. Molter, M.A. Executive Director director@godsfamilies.org ICA (MD, VA, IL, DC) info@adoptica.org International Adoption Guides Mary Mooney info@adoptionguides.org International Family Services Bob and Carol Mardock, President, Executive Director
Journeys of the Heart (OR) Susan Tompkins susan@journeysoftheheart.net
Mary Kendall (KY) jeanniehoward@marykendall.org Mississippi Children’s Home Christopher M. Cherney, LCSW adoption@mchscares.org
Rainbow House (NM) Donna Clauss, Executive Director Donna@rhi.org SEEK International (MO) seek@seekadoption.org
Special Children (WI) spchild@sbcglobal.net
The Family Network (CA) Georgia Leonard FamilyNetwork@SBCglobal.net
Tree of Life Adoption Center (OR) info@toladopt.org
Worldwide Adoptions (SC) Mrs. Peggy Ewing info@worldwideadoption.org
posted by AMREX & Their Co-Conspirators at 3:26 PM | 2 comments
http://amrex.blogspot.com/
We’ve posted a couple of links to the campaign on the front page of our website. Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of the children!
Please, let all children go!
I support international adoption.
I truly support international adoption. Please don’t stop it just because of one stupid family.
We support responsible international adoptions by traditionally married families consisting of one man and one woman. We support those organizations that assure the same goal and provide hope for families and the children they help. May God bless them all.
Are you saying that a single person or same sex couple should not be allowed to adopt?
Did you post this just to evoke a response?
I support international adoptions. It would be pure travesty to stop international adoptions because of the actions of a family that did not have the child’s best interest at heart.
I personally know of families that have adopted children from Russia and have given them love and a beautiful life and raised them as if they had been their paternal parents. Let us not forget that it is not just giving birth it is raising and loving children that makes you a parent.
Knowing families that have adopted children form Russia and seeing these beautiful children been given a chance of a normal family life and total paternal love from their parents can only get 100% approval for me to continue having adoptions to libirate these children from the fate that will follow if they are not adopted.
We are successful parents of 2 years of a wonderful child from Russia.
I am the adoptive mother of three Russian born children. The joy these children bring me each and everyday can not be described. I can not understand the actions of the mother in TN. I can say that the first 18 months are hard on everyone in the family after an international adoption. During all the frustrations and hardships, never once did it ever occur to me to ship my children off on a plane alone back to a country that the child has more than likely lost the ability to communicate without great difficulty. I welcome anyone to come to my home and see how successful adoptions can be if you are willing to work and overcome any preconceived notions you may have when you think about adoption. I thank God each and everyday for the blessings that he has given us and I pray that the officials in Russia will not hurt their children because of the actions of this one woman.
We have two beuatiful boys adopted from Russia. They are happy healthy and loved. One thoughtless person should not affect the thousands of orphans who need homes and adults, single or married, who want to be responsible and loving parents.
Adopted children from Russia are very fortunate and the parents of such children are very fortunate. We know of such a happy family
We know of a happy family that adopted Russian children. Both parents and children are so fortunate
We are all in favor of Russian adoptions. One disturbed child surely shouldn’t spoil chances for many other children.
We adopted our son from Russia. He is wonderful and has filled our home with happiness. He is doing very well and we love him.
I’m so upset about what this family did! Adopted a son from Russia,than sent him back because he had some problems..What’s wrong with a mother like that,what is she thinking? She should be put in jail for a long time,You a adopt a child for life,not just throw him away like a old shoe,he’s a person,she should of seeked help for herself,the family,and her son.
We adopted a son from Russia 5 yrs ago,and we are blessed.
We are the proud parents of two boys from Russia. Yes they have issues but we adopted them and provide fully for any needs that they have. Our boys are our greatest pleasure. We would love the opportunity to adopt more. Please do not the actions of one person ruin the opportunity for all of the good and loving families waiting to adopt.
My brother knight has had great success in securing 2 children’s future by adopting them from Russia. Please do not stop this practice because of the actions of just a few.
Please do not stop the international adoptions from Russia due to the actions of just a few. Many lives depend on these adoptions continuing.
My sister adopted two beautiful children from Russia. Our family cannot imagine life without them!
I understand adoption can go very very wrong and that you are left with your life turned up side down We adopted a child from Korea 2 years ago and she has almost cost me my whole family I am still unsure of what to do. I have 2 boys also adopted that have been a joy and we love them all so much but until you live in hell you do not know what you will do. I feel for both the child and the family .
adopted my son from Russia in 2008. I was, at the time, single and adopting a 4 year old boy. I was elated by my adoption but felt unprepared when he came home and started having violent outbreaks and screaming fits. The first 6 weeks were a mixture of heaven and hell. I found a translating web-site that spoke for me. My son would get so excited when I would go to the site because he knew he would understand what I wanted better. But the fits still continued. His frustration on not being able to communicate back must be why, I thought. I use to make him lay down and take deep cleansing breaths… sometimes 10 or more at a time. That would calm him but I wasn’t always there and he would become “out of control” at pre-school. It was a struggle, but he is my son and I just needed to help him.
At my 6 month review from the social worker for the adoption, I mentioned my fear of school trying to force medication on him for ADHD. That is when I found out what would change our lives. She said that often children from Russia have something called fetal alchol effects. I explained that I had read about it and heard it called fetal alchol syndrom and did not feel my son had that. She smiled and began telling me the difference.
That was a huge stepping stone that has allowed me to understand my son and make him feel ok when he is over the top. My parents and even my, now husband, argued with me saying that it can’t be… it has to be adjustment or attachment issues or something. My son called me Mama 20 minutes after meeting me and has thought of himself as only my son since. We were bonded completely before his first haircut. I knew it wasn’t attachment disorder. I knew that my social worker was right. My doctor, though he will not diagnose until he is a few years older, agrees with me. So, I give him all the tools he needs to succeed. I talk to his teachers and don’t hide behind shame. It will do him no good. But I also will not allow him to use that as an excuess. He needs to think his way out of situations he has a difficult time with. More often than not, at a 5 year old level, just a few deep breaths does the trick.
I didn’t know how to handle life day by day, at first. Now my son is excelling at school and at least half of the time calms himself down before he reaches that point of no return. He see’s the world with the optimism of a 5 year old and I, his mother, provide him with the tools to continue to do so. I could have given up so easily. I could have taken the easy road… but when I told him today that my job was to always protect him, he told me that his was to always protect me because he loves me more than anyone in the world. Looking back, I never remember making any choice, just looking into his eyes.
I adopted my son from Russia in 2008. I was, at the time, single and adopting a 4 year old boy. I was elated by my adoption but felt unprepared when he came home and started having violent outbreaks and screaming fits. The first 6 weeks were a mixture of heaven and hell. I found a translating web-site that spoke for me. My son would get so excited when I would go to the site because he knew he would understand what I wanted better. But the fits still continued. His frustration on not being able to communicate back must be why, I thought. I use to make him lay down and take deep cleansing breaths… sometimes 10 or more at a time. That would calm him but I wasn’t always there and he would become “out of control” at pre-school. It was a struggle, but he is my son and I just needed to help him.
At my 6 month review from the social worker for the adoption, I mentioned my fear of school trying to force medication on him for ADHD. That is when I found out what would change our lives. She said that often children from Russia have something called fetal alchol effects. I explained that I had read about it and heard it called fetal alchol syndrom and did not feel my son had that. She smiled and began telling me the difference.
That was a huge stepping stone that has allowed me to understand my son and make him feel ok when he is over the top. My parents and even my, now husband, argued with me saying that it can’t be… it has to be adjustment or attachment issues or something. My son called me Mama 20 minutes after meeting me and has thought of himself as only my son since. We were bonded completely before his first haircut. I knew it wasn’t attachment disorder. I knew that my social worker was right. My doctor, though he will not diagnose until he is a few years older, agrees with me. So, I give him all the tools he needs to succeed. I talk to his teachers and don’t hide behind shame. It will do him no good. But I also will not allow him to use that as an excuess. He needs to think his way out of situations he has a difficult time with. More often than not, at a 5 year old level, just a few deep breaths does the trick.
I didn’t know how to handle life day by day, at first. Now my son is excelling at school and at least half of the time calms himself down before he reaches that point of no return. He see’s the world with the optimism of a 5 year old and I, his mother, provide him with the tools to continue to do so. I could have given up so easily. I could have taken the easy road… but when I told him today that my job was to always protect him, he told me that his was to always protect me because he loves me more than anyone in the world. Looking back, I never remember making any choice, just looking into his eyes.
As a grandmother to 2 beautiful, adorable, and sometimes challenging children from the Ukraine, I beg you not to stop the adoptions from your countries. These have brought so more joy than I have words to express. I know this would not have been had my daughter and son-in-law not been allowed to adopt them.
[…] Joint Council On International Children’s Services has asked that adoptive parents who blog do something and so I am. I’m writing a post about our eight year […]
I believe this case is a shame.
I have a friend who adopted 2 children from Russia. These two beautiful girls are happy & healthy. However, I know there have been many struggles. Some emotional, some developemental. But, I believe, that’s it. As a parent, you bond with any child (natural or adoptive) more when you face the struggles together. This woman didn’t even take the necessary measures to treat the emotional scars that this young boy had. A wound is a wound. Shame on her!
This women needs to be found and charged — period! As the adoptive mother of a Russian born son, please take this time and opportunity to make a positive change to the process. My husband and I adopted a 10-year old boy from Southern Siberia 5 years ago. We had a wonderful experience, but I count ourselves in the minority. For the sake of the children and the potential families, make a change to the system so others may experience the success we have. The whole process is riddled with problems that need to be addressed.
[…] Send Request To Presidents Medvedev and Obama 19 04 2010 As part of the We Are The Truth Campaign, we invited anyone concerned about children to sign a letter to Presidents Medvedev and Obama. […]
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[…] part of Joint Council’s We Are The Truth Campaign, an invitation to all who are concerned about families and children to sign a letter to Presidents […]
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