We see as part of our mission providing assistance to children in Chinese orphanages. Over the past several years Gladney and Gladney China families have implemented programs to supply infant formula, helped rebuild a flood-devastated orphanage, arranged for the donation of hundreds of thousands of pairs of children's shoes, and brought children for visits to the United States.
Recently, we have started an Award of Excellence program, which helps orphanage directors give incentives to – and hold onto – their best staff members.
Beginning in 2005, we will also initiate an English language skills program, especially targeted to older children in social welfare institutes.
Recently, we have started an Award of Excellence program, which helps orphanage directors give incentives to – and hold onto – their best staff members.
Beginning in 2005, we will also initiate an English language skills program, especially targeted to older children in social welfare institutes.
Infant Formula
The major concern of families waiting to adopt from China is the well-being of the child who will become theirs. Good nutrition is vital.
Our efforts to help meet nutritional needs began in 2001 with a program to supply baby formula for 100 children in the Shanghai Children's Home.
In 2003 the program was expanded to the Tianjin Children's Home, the Ha'erbin Children's Welfare Institute (Heilongjian province) and the Fuzhou Welfare Institute in Jiangxi province.
The program will continue to expand as a result of the China Initiative, because funding is critical. Supplying formula to an institution each year for 200 children costs about $30,000.
The major concern of families waiting to adopt from China is the well-being of the child who will become theirs. Good nutrition is vital.
Our efforts to help meet nutritional needs began in 2001 with a program to supply baby formula for 100 children in the Shanghai Children's Home.
In 2003 the program was expanded to the Tianjin Children's Home, the Ha'erbin Children's Welfare Institute (Heilongjian province) and the Fuzhou Welfare Institute in Jiangxi province.
The program will continue to expand as a result of the China Initiative, because funding is critical. Supplying formula to an institution each year for 200 children costs about $30,000.
The "Great Wall of Formula" at Fuzhou Welfare Institute, Jiangxi province.
English Language Skills
Older children in orphanages have a double-edged problem. They are less likely to be adopted, partly because many prospective adoptive parents are concerned about the challenges of helping them learn English.
As a result, the odds are that these children will stay in an institution until their late teens. At that time, they will need to find jobs. Unfortunately – and this is particularly true for those with disabilities – they are poorly equipped as potential employees.
The purpose of the language program is to help older children learn enough English to give prospective parents confidence that the transition will be manageable. And, for those who remain unadopted, even basic familiarity with English may greatly enhance their ability to find productive work.
Older children in orphanages have a double-edged problem. They are less likely to be adopted, partly because many prospective adoptive parents are concerned about the challenges of helping them learn English.
As a result, the odds are that these children will stay in an institution until their late teens. At that time, they will need to find jobs. Unfortunately – and this is particularly true for those with disabilities – they are poorly equipped as potential employees.
The purpose of the language program is to help older children learn enough English to give prospective parents confidence that the transition will be manageable. And, for those who remain unadopted, even basic familiarity with English may greatly enhance their ability to find productive work.
Awards Of Excellence
Orphanage directors want to get and keep the best possible staff, especially college graduates who are trained and skilled in child care and development.
Unfortunately, most children's homes are located in remote areas, even those in larger cities. This and other factors make it difficult for directors to keep their best people.
The Award of Excellence program is intended as a way to help orphanage directors motivate and retain talented staff. With funds provided by Gladney and Gladney China families, these staff members receive recognition and rewards for their excellent service to the children.
Orphanage directors want to get and keep the best possible staff, especially college graduates who are trained and skilled in child care and development.
Unfortunately, most children's homes are located in remote areas, even those in larger cities. This and other factors make it difficult for directors to keep their best people.
The Award of Excellence program is intended as a way to help orphanage directors motivate and retain talented staff. With funds provided by Gladney and Gladney China families, these staff members receive recognition and rewards for their excellent service to the children.
Rebuilding in Yingtan
In 1997 a series of severe floods washed away the orphanage in the city of Yingtan (Jiangxi province). The Chinese Government provided the orphanage with a temporary site, land for the new orphanage, but only about half the funds necessary to construct and equip the new institution.
To help fill the void, Gladney and Gladney families assisted with reconstruction.
The rebuilt Yingtan SWI
In 1997 a series of severe floods washed away the orphanage in the city of Yingtan (Jiangxi province). The Chinese Government provided the orphanage with a temporary site, land for the new orphanage, but only about half the funds necessary to construct and equip the new institution.
To help fill the void, Gladney and Gladney families assisted with reconstruction.
The rebuilt Yingtan SWI
Half a Million Shoes
In 1999 Gladney dad Mark Maas created First Foot Forward, a foundation aimed at matching donations by footwear manufacturers with those in need.
In 2002, Gladney was pleased to assist by coordinating efforts by Mark's organization, an ongoing drive by Shoes for Orphan Souls, and China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
As a result, more nearly 500,000 pairs of shoes were delivered to Chinese provinces for distribution to social welfare institutes
In 1999 Gladney dad Mark Maas created First Foot Forward, a foundation aimed at matching donations by footwear manufacturers with those in need.
In 2002, Gladney was pleased to assist by coordinating efforts by Mark's organization, an ongoing drive by Shoes for Orphan Souls, and China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
As a result, more nearly 500,000 pairs of shoes were delivered to Chinese provinces for distribution to social welfare institutes
One little girl with her new shoes.
Little Angels Camp
In June 2002, Gladney arranged for ten children from the Tianjin and Shanghai children's homes to visit the United States as a cultural adventure and vacation.
This was the first time an adoption agency had hosted children from China in the United States.
The children spent three weeks visiting New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Texas.
The children first stopped in Southern New Jersey where they visited a McDonald's, a museum, and made a trip to the beach. Next they toured museums in New York City and travelled to Washington for sightseeing and a visit to the National Zoo. In Forth Worth they visited the zoo and attended a cookout at Gladney.
In June 2002, Gladney arranged for ten children from the Tianjin and Shanghai children's homes to visit the United States as a cultural adventure and vacation.
This was the first time an adoption agency had hosted children from China in the United States.
The children spent three weeks visiting New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Texas.
The children first stopped in Southern New Jersey where they visited a McDonald's, a museum, and made a trip to the beach. Next they toured museums in New York City and travelled to Washington for sightseeing and a visit to the National Zoo. In Forth Worth they visited the zoo and attended a cookout at Gladney.
Gongzhan Wu and guests in Central Park, New York City
Washington, D.C.
The Gladney Center for Adoption, Fort Worth, Texas
About the China Initiative
The China Initiative is a bold new endeavor to benefit adoptive families, children from China, and children still in China. It is also an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the bond families and children feel to China.