BAAS Picnic 2010baas.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BAAS-newsletter-fall-2010.pdf · heart fall 2010 volume 10 • number 3 if you or some-oneyouknowis interested in international

Heart to Heart

FALL 2010VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 3

IF YOU OR SOME-ONE YOU KNOW ISINTERESTED ININTERNATIONALADOPTION PLEASECALL 650-964-3800OR VISIT: WWW.

BAAS.ORG

B A Y A R E A

ADOPTION SERVICESI N T E R N A T I O N A L A D O P T I O N S

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F

MORE ON PAGE 6

BAAS Picnic 2010

In late September, we hosted some very importantChinese visitors — officials from Xuzhou SocialWelfare Department including the director fromXuzhou Social Welfare Institute during their tourof the U.S. and Canada. We were pleased to bejoined by three families who adopted from theXuzhou social welfare institution. Two familiesflew in from Washington state and Texas just tomeet with the officials. One of the families, PamBlock from Washington, brought their lovely five-year-old daughter, Anna. Anna was born with thecondition known as bladder extrophy, whichmeans her bladder was outside her body. Withindays of arriving in the U.S., she received severalsurgeries at a hospital in Seattle to correct thisbirth defect.

Watching her race around our office withMercy from Texas, who has hand and foot limbdifferences, and Lily from Piedmont who had acongenital heart defect, was simply amazing. It

was almost impossible to reconcilethese lively, adorable little girls withthe pictures we saw of these childrenprior to their arrival in the U.S. justmonths ago.

It’s truly a testament to the powerof love, and the determination of afamily to provide a loving, nurturinghome. We enjoyed sharing with theofficials who were visibly moved at theprogress of these children since theiradoptions, all less than a year ago.

Since 1990, November has beendesignated National Adoption

Awareness month. During this month, commu-nities and organizations across the U.S. work topromote adoption as an option for family-build-ing. For our adoptive families, it is a great chanceto celebrate how they have come together.

I am sitting on an airplane as I write this, head-ing to New York for a meeting with an “adoptiondinosaurs” group to which I belong. This grouphas met over the years to create a written historyof adoption, and begin a mentoring program foradoption professionals and adoptive families.Collectively, this group possesses over 500 yearsof direct adoption experience.

We hope to offer mentoring services to adop-tive families and adoption professionals using avariety of resources including social media and awonderful organization called Children AwaitingParents (CAP). CAP advocates for childrenacross the U.S., primarily those in foster care.

One resource I discovered through the groupis the Adoption History Project at the Universityof Oregon (http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~adop-tion/). While looking through their Website, wenoted a significant hole in the timeline coincid-ing with the rise of international adoptions. Welook forward to submit ting contentto correct the lack of information.

The annual BAAS picnic was heldagain on the beautiful San Jose Harkercampus. Although a somewhat smallerturnout than ususal, we had a wonder-ful time. One highlight was our first-ever Talent Show. We enjoyed singers,martial arts, and even a hula hoop per-former! It was great fun for us to watchour young BAAS kids showcasingtheir talents. We were happy toreunite with the Walterhouse familywho adopted from Japan over 15 yearsago and traveled from Tennessee to attend thepicnic. They were awarded our “Traveled the fur-thest distance” award.

We raised over $1100 in support of ourorphanage project.

For a great listing and suggestions of ways tocommemorate your personal link to adoption,visit: http://national-adoption-month.adoption.com/ for ideas to celebrate the wonder of adop-tion within your family, school, and community.To this end, BAAS will deliver public serviceannouncements on Bay Area radio stations dur-ing the month. In addition to raising awareness(here comes the big “ASK”), we’ve enclosed aself-addressed donation envelope with thisnewsletter. I know you all receive many compet-ing requests for donations at this time of year (itis, afterall, the month of giving thanks) but Iwould hope BAAS is near and dear to your heart.We are in difficult economic times, and we allstruggle. But if you are planning on any charita-ble donations, I respectfully ask that you consid-er BAAS.

We want to be around well into the future tohelp families like yours know the incredible joyof parenting a child. With your help, we can. Nodonation is too small.

I wish you all the joys of the season!Whatever your beliefs, religion or philosophy, Ihope your family is a true gift that brightens yourheart and home! In peace.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ANDREA STAWITCKEEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2

Happy holidays!

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRaghu ViswanathanPRESIDENT

Olana Khan

Frank Foehr

Ann Hillen

Susan Lewis

Kathleen Neilsen

Cindy Rasicot

Marco Rosa

STAFFAndrea Stawitcke, MPAEXECUTIVE [email protected] ShirleyPROGRAM COUNSELOR

Kathleen O’ConnellADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Nikki LazoDOCUMENT SPECIALIST

Darian StawitckeCIS COORDINATOR

Aki SpeedDOCUMENT SPECIALIST

Lindsey CaldwellOFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

SOCIAL WORKERSCraig Forte, LCSWSharmeela Shah, LCSWCO-SUPERVISORS OF SOCIAL WORK

Patricia Avila, MSW

Sharon Bosley, MSW

Victoria Danby, MA

Susan Dupuis, MSW

Susan Jandro, LCSWJanna Kenniston, MSW

Gail Rolka, MSW

Pam Schwartz, LCSWStefania Sarti, PHD, MFT

Cynthia Sue, MSW

Nan Toder, LCSW

NEWSLETTERKathleen O’[email protected]

Image AdvertisingDESIGN, PRODUCTION, PRINTING

Heart to Heart is published three times a year by Bay AreaAdoption Services, Inc., 465 Fairchild Drive, Suite 215, MountainView, California 94043 (ph 650-964-3800) a non-profit, parent-led adoption agency. Subscription donations in the U.S.: $10 forone year, $18 for two years. Canadian and foreign subscriptions:$15 U.S. per year, plus postage. Correspondence should be sentto the above address. Heart to Heartmay be reprinted with per-mission from Bay Area Adoption Services if proper credit is givenand a copy of the reprint is sent to the Heart to Hearteditor.

Heart to Heartthe newsletter of

Bay Area Adoption Services

Jai DiBorn: 5-28-09, South KoreaKwan Tan & Adam DawesArrived: 7-2-10

LuceyBorn: 5-26-05, ChinaKelly Konnoff & Lee PhillipsArrived: 9-10-10

MadisonBorn: 3-14-10, ChinaEunice & David LouieArrived: 9-16-10

TulsiBorn: 11-4-08, IndiaPreeti & BalajiSrinivasanArrived: 9-20-10

New arrivals

3

GraysonBorn: 1-24-10, EthiopiaStacy & Victor GeneralArrived: 8-21-10

LeslieBorn: 5-24-09, ChinaElise Jok & William TamerlaneArrived: 8-25-10

AndreBorn: 3-24-06,PhilippinesChristine & Rodolfo BatallaArrived: 8-31-10

Welcome to all our new arrivals. Every child isspecial and unique, and we are proud of every one.

Total BAAS arrivals this year to date: 2,171

SanaaBorn: 3-10-05, IndiaReema Mewar & Khaja ZafarullahArrived: 7-21-10

BraedenBorn: 10-19-09, South KoreaLori Gong & Brian BarrArrived: 7-27-10

AditiBorn: 5-20-08, IndiaNirupamaBalasubramanian &Srikanth RajagopalanArrived: 8-7-10

EricaBorn: 2-12-08, ChinaVelrose & Eric WhiteArrived: 8-14-10

The Familias Paraguayas picnic was held in August atRoberts Regional Recreational Area in Oakland. Wantto be included in future announcements about the 2011picnic? Contact Maureen O’Halloran, 925-372-8631 orJoyce Mina, [email protected].

Row 1: Brenna Dyson, Cati Keller, Josie Crosby, Lille Crosby, Amanda Smith, MelanieCarniglia, Nora Marti, Joshua MundayRow 2: Patricia Crosby, Marlene Morris, Patricia Higa, Allan Dyson, Susan Cooper, Susan Munday,Claude Munday, Barbara Smith, Gretchen Osborn, Jan MartiRow 3: Maureen O'Halloran, Victor Carniglia, Steve Keller, Hilee Keller, Will Travis, Jodie Loeffler, JoyceMina, Chris Somers, Kathy Brenner Somers, Tim SomersRow 4: Friend of Michael Morris, Michael Morris, Andres Kilgore, Vaughn Kilgore, Friend of Kate Travis,Christian Valentine, Kate Travis, Emma Marti, Nick Somers

Paraguay Perfecto

Modern family: no definition phrase is misleading. No family ever really knowswhat kind of child is going to “pop out,” biologi-cal or not.

Adopted children should be exposed to theirnative cultures, but if they want to adopt a fewcultures of their own, it should bewelcomed. Growing up in the Bay Area, I’veadopted not only my Irish-Italian family’s culture,but also Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, Dutch,and Filipino. I’m so lucky I was adopted. I consid-er it a privilege and an honor to be so connectedto a variety of cultures.

It is OK to be different and embrace yourunique self. Sometimes I envy my friends whohave a distinct cultural background and ethnicheritage, but I love being multicultural. It’s me.

Rosa Linda King works with a non-profit organization inSan Francisco and resides in the Marina district.

My mother has always taught me to be proud ofwho I am and where I come from: Tegucigalpa,Honduras. I was adopted in the winter of 1985 at6-months-old through Bay Area AdoptionServices (BAAS) to a single-parent household. Iwas a ward of the court and lived in HogarTemporal, an orphanage in Tegucigalpa until myadoptive mother came to get me. She didn’t speakSpanish, but a friend was with her who did thenecessary translations for all of the paperwork. Mymother traveled to Honduras three times beforeshe was able to bring me home.

Since I grew up in an Irish-Italian family inSan Francisco, trans-racial adoption is an issuethat is close to my heart. I was raised in a uniqueenvironment. I attended a predominantly AsianCatholic elementary school in the Richmond dis-trict, the culturally diverse Sacred HeartCathedral High School, and Santa ClaraUniversity where the majority of students areCaucasian—I am Afro-Latina.

The color of my skin has always made mestand out, making me acutely aware of my differ-ences. Growing up, kids were always touching myhair, skin, and lips, asking me tons of questions—there would be a lot of “oooohs” and “awes”

accompanying the questions. As a kid, I didn’t getwhy I was so fascinating, but all of those momentsmade me realize the importance of tolerance andacceptance. I could take those moments as teach-ing opportunities.

Over the years, I have volunteered at BAASand led Initial Orientations for potential adoptiveparents with my mother. I have traveled toAustralia numerous times to visit my aunt andcousin, have lived in Washington D.C., and trav-eled all over the U.S. and parts of Europe.

I have visited Honduras twice and felt at homein the town of La Ceiba where everyone lookedracially mixed, just like me. I later discovered thatmy birth mother was from La Ceiba; I was aston-ished and a sense of comfort overwhelmed me.

Wherever I have gone, I have been the minor-ity. It’s what I am used to and where I am comfort-able. I claim many nationalities, not just one. Myunique upbringing has given me a perspective onlife for which I am completely grateful.

I don’t think adoptive parents should worryabout the race issue when considering adoptinginternationally or embarking on a trans-racialadoption. There are too many children who needhomes to waste time worrying about that issue.The “never know what you’re going to get”

The arrival home with your new son or daughteris exciting and stressful all at the same time.When you find you have to do additional paper-work, you are confused. You thought you weredone when your child comes home.

If your child entered the U.S. on an IR-3 oran IH-3 visa, the adoption was finalized abroadand readoption is optional. That’s right, you donot have to do it. However, you should do it.Readopting your son or daughter ensures thatyou have complied with state and foreign adop-tion laws, eliminating any confusion surroundingyour child's legal status. Several of our parentsmoved out of California prior to readopting andfound that their new home state did not recog-nize a final adoption decree from another coun-try. Also, depending on the new state’s adop-tion/readoption requirements, you may have toobtain a new homestudy as well as go throughadditional post placement meetings before read-opting in that state’s courts.

There are two additional reasons to completethis process. First, the Social SecurityAdministration, a branch of the federal govern-

ment, is administered under statelaw. For social security purposes,many state laws do not recognize for-eign adoption decrees as full and final.Consequently, children must have aU.S. adoption decree before being eli-gible for social security benefits, includ-ing disability, death or retirement bene-fits. Second, many colleges will not offergrants and scholarships unless the childhas a U.S. adoption decree.

Completing the readoption process givesfamilies a state issued adoption decree, a statebirth certificate, and a legal name change forthe child. Many states will not issue a birthcertificate for your child until the readoptionprocess is complete.

The next step is to obtain the Certificateof Citizenship and a US passport. Families whoadopted their children abroad after 2004 andreturned on an IR-3 or an IH-3 visa have thisstep covered; by entering the U.S. on an IR-3 oran IH-3 visa, the child becomes an automaticU.S. citizen and his or her Certificate ofCitizenship will be sent to the family home.

However, if you adopted your child before2004 and he or she entered the country on an IR-3 or IR-4 visa, this would not apply to you andyou must apply for citizenship.

Children entering on an IR-4 or an IH-4 visafrom countries such as India, the Philippines andSouth Korea are required to finalize their adop-tion in the State of California court in theircounty of residence. After finalization, your childbecomes an automatic citizen. So, what’s thecatch? Although the child will be a U.S. citizenafter finalization, you will not receive aCertificate of Citizenship unless you actuallyapply for citizenship through US Citizen andImmigration Services (USCIS) by filing the N-600 form. You can apply for a U.S. passport with-out filing the N-600. However, families shoulddo both. USCIS issues the Certificate ofCitizenship. The US State Department issues theUS passport. As separate entities, each group has

its own mission and enforcement powers and, asfar as we know, do not exchange informationbetween each other. USCIS is the group thatdeclares your child to be a citizen and theCertificate of Citizenship is proof that the child’sstatus is changed to citizen in the USCIS data-base. In addition, children entering the U.S. onan IR-4 or an IH-4 visa that receive a social secu-rity number prior to finalization will be listed inSocial Security Administration system as a per-manent resident until proof citizenship is provid-ed to them and the child status is change to thatof a U.S. citizen.

In this day and age, BAAS cannot emphasizeenough the importance of filing the N-600 form.Because of tightening security measures acrossthe country, the risk of adopted children runninginto problems is very real if they are not citizens.A family who adopted their child long ago butnever filed for their child's citizenship is current-ly in a bind. The adopted child, now over eight-een, ran into some legal problems and is current-ly facing possible deportation because the nowadult child still has permanent resident status.While no one wants to think that their childwould ever get into trouble like this, and the vastmajority won't, the old saying "better to be safethan sorry" becomes even more relevant now.Without that Certificate of Citizenship, there isthe possibility that a child can be viewed as apermanent resident, not a U.S. citizen, even ifthe child’s adoption has been finalized. This pos-sibility is small but exists nonetheless.Completing the paperwork may be time consum-ing but it is an important close to the adoption.

For this reason, BAAS highly recommendsfamilies apply for U.S. citizenship once theyreturn home. Also, it is important to obtain citi-zenship while the child is still a minor, youngerthan 18 years old. After 18, the child is consid-ered an adult and will then have to apply for nat-uralization in the same way that adult permanentresidents do, and will have to take the naturaliza-tion test (which children under 18 years of agedo not take).

Why re-adopt?

We’d like to thank all the raffle donors for thegreat prizes. Money raised through the rafflegoes to the orphanage project to help thechildren left behind.

The Ibe Family

The Ju Family

The Rosa Family

Bay Area DiscoveryMuseum

California Academyof Science

Cal Skate

Cascal Restaurant

Children’s DiscoveryMuseum

Children’s Fairyland

Children’s MusicalTheatre

Disneyland

Gilroy Gardens

Happy Hollow Park& Zoo

Harrah’s/Harvey’sLake Tahoe

Hiller AviationMuseum

The Jungle – SanJose

Lawrence Hall ofScience

Mountain ViewCenter forPerforming Arts

Neighbors withoutBorders

Office Depot

Pancho Villa’s

Prince of Peace

Rose’s Creations

San Jose Sharks

Sunnyvale GolflandUSA

Theatre Works

Winchester MysteryHouse

nnie Wang (adopted from China) was next ondeck, singing two lovely songs for us.

Nikki Amber Lansang (adopted from thePhilippines) sang two selections. Nikki, an aspir-ing vocal performer, can also be found on iTunes.

Closing our first talent show was Billy Cai(adopted from China), Xiaoqing’s son. Billy sangtwo beautiful songs for us, one in Chinese.

We appreciated the work of all our talentedkids and enjoyed their efforts. We’re hoping tomake this an regular part of our annual picnic.

BAAS kidmakes good

5

Thank you BAAS

Dear MomWhere do I begin to start? I wouldn’t be here right now, maybe not even alive if it wasn’t for you. I owe my life to you because you’ve saved mine. I let you go unappreciated a lot, which is bad; but today I want to thank you for everything you do. Although dad might have a deeper voice and maybe an adam’s apple somewhere in that neck, you discipline and set structure not only to this house, but to my life. I hate to even think what would happen to me if you weren’t around. That’s why if I go to college farther away, it will be a very difficult time for me. Thank you so much for gifting me with this opportunity to make something of my life. Couldn’t make it without you. Thanks for being a great mom for 16 years... and counting. Happy Mother’s Day, Daniel Fritz 5-9-10

My husband and I adopted our beloved, now 16year-old son, Daniel Alfredo Fritz, with your helpin 1994. I’ve continued to send photos eachChristmas; however, I’m going to send along in aseparate email a scanned copy of my son’sMother’s Day card. My husband suggested I dothis. Daniel’s words reached into my heart andjust held on, and I can only hope that other par-ents are as incredibly blessed with the love of achild as are we. Thank you for helping us meetthis amazing young man whom we love beyond allmeasure. Have a great day! Carla Fritz

In March 2010, Lysa won the State Level 1Citizenship competition at the 63rd annual 4-HCongress in Nashville, Tennessee. She had beenin 4-H for six years and her primary projects wereCitizenship and Line and Design. She said herinterest in citizenship was greatly shaped andinfluenced by her grandparents, who live on asmall farm near Stockton, California, and wereplaced in an internment camp during World WarII. Despite this, her grandparents deeply love ourcountry and taught her the importance of citi-zenship. Lysa reports that her citizenship projectevolved from a generally academic endeavor toone of her being an active ambassador of thepower and relevance of citizenship in the 21stcentury. She was awarded an engraved silverbowl and a $500 college scholarship.

Lysa Walterhouse, with her parents Doug and Mineko

Daniel Alfredo Fritz

First BAAS talent showAt this year’s BAAS picnic, we thought it wouldbe fun to put on a talent show for the familieswho attend the picnic. After announcing theevent in the newsletter, we had several very tal-ented performers sign up.

Michael Martinovsky (adopted from

Guatemala) opened the show with a bang.Michael performed a martial arts routine whichwas quite advanced and very fun to watch.

Samantha Wu (adopted from China) fol-lowed, playing a classical song on the piano andthen showcasing her gymnastic skills with a cart-wheel, back flip and hand stand.

After Samantha, we watched as Krissy Dufala(adopted from the Philippines) perform the hulahoop, starting with one hoop and then addinganother and working two hula hoops at once.

LINDSEY CALDWELL

6

BAAS Picnic 2010

Please email [email protected] to add new groups.

ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FROM JAPANAki Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-272-2510

BAY AREA I-CHILD: FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM INDIATo join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bayarea-ichild and click join this group. Informationon adopting from India is available on this site.Families meet monthly at parks on weekends. Mostchildren are preschoolers; some are school age.

BAY AREA GUATEMALAN GROUPJulie Nicholson . . . . . . . [email protected]

Or join the Yahoo Group BayAreaGuatAdopt.Families meet the first Sunday of the month atPeninsula parks or the East Bay.

PARAGUAYAN FAMILIES GROUPMaureen O’Halloran . . . . . . . . . .925-372-8631

VIETNAM FAMILIES GROUPPaula Levitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-733-4224

FAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .650-856-3513FAIR believes all children regardless of age, race ordisability, deserve a permanent and loving home.Monthly events throughout the Peninsula and South

Bay. BAAS families receive a one year membershipto FAIR compliments of BAAS upon returning homewith their child

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM CHINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fccncalif.org

Play groups and prospective parent events.

FAMILIES FOR RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN ADOPTION (FRUA)Valerie Beeman . [email protected]

GRACEFULLY AGING AWARE REFINED PARENTS ADOPTINGhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/GAARPadoptGAARP adopt is an online support group foradoptive or would-be adoptive parents over age40. Domestic and foreign adoption issues wel-come. Adopted children of older parents are alsowelcome to participate. Humor a plus.

RUSSIAN KIDS CIRCLE . . . .www.ruskidscircle.orgWhere adopted Russian kids can get together withpeers to share culture and experience.

SOFOSH FAMILIES . . . . .gangasofosh@yahoocomFor families who have adopted from Sofosh to stay intouch with the group in the Bay Area.

GROUPS

ONLINE RESOURCES

EVAN B. DONALDSON ADOPTION INSTITUTEwww.adoptioninstitute.orgAdoption research, white papers, facts, policies.

REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONwww.arcct.orgPrograms by country.

JOINT COUNCIL ON CHILDREN’S SERVICESwww.jcics.orgOldest and largest affiliation of licensed, non-profitadoption agencies in the U.S. with information on taxcredit, citizenship and country updates.

NATIONAL ADOPTIONINFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSEhttp://naic.act.hhs.govState law, agencies, support groups, fact sheets.

NORTH AMERICAN COUNCILON ADOPTABLE CHILDRENwww.nacac.org

SCHWAB FOUNDATION FOR LEARNINGwww.schwablearning.orgExtensive database of articles on learning differences,bulletin boards for parents and educators, and theopportunity to ask questions of experts.

SENATE AND CONGRESSPOSTAL AND EMAIL ADDRESSESwww.house.gov

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENTtravel.state.gov/children’s_issues.htmlSummaries of international adoption laws, CIS require-ments and processes.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICSwww.aap.org

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONwww.ama-assn.org

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTIONwww.cdc.gov

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION CLINIC ATCHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, OAKLANDwww.childrenshospitaloakland.orgClick on Healthcare and Services to get toInternational Adoption Clinic

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION HEALTH CLINICwww.peds.umn.edu/iacHealth Clinic at the University of Minnesota includeshealth data of children from different countries.

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

ADOPTION WEEK E-ZINEwww.adoptionweek.com

ADOPTIVE FAMILIESwww.adoptivefamilies.comMagazine for families before and after adoption.

ASIA FOR KIDSwww.asiaforkids.comAsian children’s books, videos, crafts, music.

BILINGUAL BOOKS FOR KIDSwww.bilingualbooks.comSpanish/English books for kids.

PACT: AN ADOPTION ALLIANCEwww.pactadopt.orgThe bookstore has collection of books on adoption,transracial issues and children’s stories.

TAPESTRY BOOKSwww.tapestrybooks.comAdoption and infertility book catalog from PerspectivesPress; includes excerpts from its books.

Friends & resources

COUNTRY INFORMATION

ADOPTING FROM RUSSIAwww.adoptingfromrussia.com

CHILDREN FROM FULINGwww.fulingkids.org

CHINA CENTER FOR ADOPTIONAFFAIRSwww. china-ccaa.org

EASTERN EUROPEAN ADOPTIONCOALITIONwww.eeadopt.org

FAMILIES FOR RUSSIAN ANDUKRAINIAN ADOPTION (FRUA)Northern California website:orgsites.com/ca.fruanorcal

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM CHINAwww.fccncalif.org

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM VIETNAMwww.fcvn.org

FOCUS ON ADOPTIONwww.focusonadoption.comAdvocacy group for Guatemalan adoptions.

ICHILDwww.ichild.orgInformation on adoption from India.

KOREAN AMERICAN ADOPTEEADOPTIVE FAMILY NETWORKwww.kaanet.com

LATIN AMERICAN PARENTSASSOCIATIONwww.lapa.com

7

O N E W O R L D O N E F A M I L Y

BAAS

B A Y A R E A

ADOPTION SERVICESI N T E R N A T I O N A L A D O P T I O N S

B

Heart to Heart

465 Fairchild Drive, Suite 215

Mountain View, California 94043-2251

Non-profitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 297Sunnyvale, CA

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

much needed capacity of overseeing our entireadvertising outreach which is almost completelydone on line.

Judy Rowlee and her husband also adopted fromRussia and brought their daughter, now a teenag-er, home in 2001. Judy joined our Board in 2004and has since been very involved with BAAS.She helps with the picnic every year — includ-ing the installation of the our wonderful rainbowof country flags.

Bern and his wife traveled to Russia to adopt in1998 and are the proud parents of twin sons whoare now 12 years old. He joined our board ofdirectors in 2003. As a member of the board, hewas one of the driving forces to develop the cur-

rent BAAS Website, which continues to getmany compliments on the design, content, easeof navigation and overall family friendly feel.Bern has recently stepped down from the board,but continues to volunteer with BAAS in a

Volunteer Award

Bern King

Volunteer Award

Judy Rowlee

BAAS wish listClass teachersOrientation teachers for SanFrancsico and San Rafael