Hosting has begun!

The kids and chaperones arrived on June 30^th in Dallas and Salt Lake City. The families eagerly awaited their early morning arrivals with signs and balloons. The airport was filled with smiles and laughter. It was a heartwarming experience that those around watched in wonder! However, the real joy has been in the families getting to know the children. They are learning that these children have dreams and want to be a part of a forever family.

Dimitri and Denzel are described by their host family as adventurous, flexible, happy and polite. They are enjoying learning English, reading, swimming, and trying new foods. They truly are amazing boys! Would you like to learn more about Dimitri and Denzel and what it would mean to be their family forever? If so, please contact Misty Lucas.

While in high school, Sara (a Gladney adoptee) participated in choir and the Rowdy Crowd, a club to encourage school spirit for sports and other activities on campus. She recently graduated and will be going on to study Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University.

Sara shared, “To me, adoption is a way for children to have loving parents who are there for them through everything. Without my parent's love and support, I would not be the person I am today. They have always talked openly about adoption. I've learned that you don't have to be biologically related to be family.”

Her parents, Stacy and Stephen, reminisced, “When we met Sara on a cold snowy February day in Kungur, Russia, we fell in love at first sight. She was this cute little thing all dressed in pink. Her laugh was so delightful and infectious. To this day, we can still hear that same hard belly laugh when she is with her friends and family.”

In August, some Gladney adoptees between the ages of 7 and 17 will spend five days together at Gladney’s Camp Forge program at Camp El Tesoro in Granbury, Texas. The campers will have opportunities to try new skills and activities, make friends, and explore ideas and issues that are unique to adoptees. The week of camp will be filled with games, laughter, learning, creating, growing, and exploring.

We have some tangible needs for snacks, drinks, games, and supplies:

Click here to shop! 

If you are able to help purchase some items on our Camp Forge Amazon Wish List, we would be grateful!

Adoptee Culture is a new podcast Gladney will be launching this summer to help share adult adoptee voices and offer connection with fellow adoptees and with Gladney’s Post Adoption Services team!

This podcast will be hosted by two adoptees who are also Gladney staff members, Katie and Kiante, and will be a must-listen. Stay tuned for more info!

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Gladney gathers stories and photos from adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents throughout the year. We share them with our donors and community partners to let see the personal impact of their support. We also use stories and photos online to raise awareness about what adoption looks like today and show how adoption offers hope and changes lives. We like to use stories and photos as a way to raise awareness about what adoption looks like today and show how adoption offers hope and changes lives.

Ben & Cate arrived home from Thailand in June with their 9 year old daughter Natthakrita!

Eric & Laura arrived home from Colombia in June also with their 15 year old son Oscar!