Summer at MAA!

Shelly Conner and Misty Lucas from our Latin American Team recently traveled to the Dominican Republic and Colombia. They had an opportunity to meet with professionals in both countries, see and hear about the needs of children, as well as learn more about the cultures of these countries and the countries surrounding them. At this time, there is a crisis occurring in Colombia. There have been millions of Venezuelans who have fled their country over the last few years. Why? Currently the average monthly salary in Venezuela is less than $3.00, but the cost of living is about the same as the cost in the United States! They saw men, young women, families with children and teenagers who are walking to their destination for safety, security, and hope. They are called the “walkers” and are all from Venezuela. They will travel for months to get to their destination. The “walkers” are traveling with very little belongings, except for what they can pull or carry. There is significant trauma occurring from being hungry, sleeping on the ground in freezing temperatures, family members dying along the way, and the list goes on and on. Many of these individuals and families are ending up on the streets of Colombia, and there is human trafficking occurring, particularly of children. 

The severe trauma and poverty our staff witnessed is heart breaking, but they also saw glimmers of hope in the Colombians helping the "walkers." There are people who have joined together to organize shelters and aide through the walk, many who have very little to give themselves. One older lady has opened her home since 2018 and feeds approximately 130 individuals breakfast and another 130 individuals for lunch, all out of her own pocket. MAA is researching how we can best partner with those on the ground supporting the "walkers," reach out if you want to join with us!

Calling All Adoptive Parents!

NCFA invites you to participate in a national survey of adoptive parents. This survey is Part One of the Profiles in Adoption Project and is intended for all adoptive parents, regardless of how long ago the adoption was completed or the type of adoption (intercountry, private domestic, and adoption from foster care). This research is intended to fill some critical gaps in adoption data that will strengthen the work of policymakers and adoption professionals and better support adoptive families. 

We will make the results free and publicly available so they can be used to improve adoption education and training, to advocate for needed post-adoption resources, and to inform policymakers and other decision-makers as they craft legislation and policy changes regarding adoption. Survey participants will have the opportunity to be entered to win one of 150 Amazon $25 gift cards. Read more about the research project, or start the survey here!

Families home in July!

If you are not in a position to adopt right now, but still feel compelled to help, please know that you can always make a donation directly to Madison Adoption Associates. Your generous gift will be directed where it is needed most, whether that be to provide food and medical services to vulnerable children both domestically and internationally, to support MAA’s growing therapeutic support services for adoptive and foster families, to help ease the financial burden for adoptive families, and/or many other areas where MAA serves deserving children. So please – consider making a tax-deductible donation today, so that children around the world may have a chance for a brighter tomorrow.