The China Initiative provides humanitarian programs for children in Chinese orphanages. We also offer cultural resources and post-adoption services for families with children from China.
Most of our programs have been created by adoptive parents and are carried out by volunteers.
Some volunteer opportunities involve work in one of China's social welfare institutions or children's homes.
Most of our programs have been created by adoptive parents and are carried out by volunteers.
Some volunteer opportunities involve work in one of China's social welfare institutions or children's homes.
The China Initiative Humanitarian & Cultural Programs
China Initiative News
- June 19 newsletter released
- How to help Chinese earthquake victims
- Results for Superkids
- Results for Operation H.O.P.E.
Memories of 2007 Beijing Camp
The China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) organized its first summer camp in August of 2007 for children who were born in China and adopted by American parents.
Thirty children participated in this amazing opportunity, "Embracing China & Experiencing Beijing, Summer Camp 2007."
We have exclusive stories and photos of their adventures and links to other sources of coverage.
Operation H.O.P.E.
H.O.P.E. - Helping Others Prosper through Empowerment - i
s a program designed to provide educational and emotional support for children in China's orphanages.
Project volunteers assist in the daily activities of the orphanage and begin to teach children the English language.
The program's first volunteer traveled to China in July of 2007.
You can help...
Learn more about Operation H.O.P.E.
A China Initiative Project
Superkids
Superkids is a project to send volunteer pediatric therapists to China to help children with special physical needs.
The initial implementation was at the Shanghai Children's Home, and the program is now expanding.
There are a number of ways for volunteers to participate in Superkids and make a contribution to children.
Learn more about Superkids
A China Initiative Project
Triple Plum Blessing
"The story of Nora, Alice and Anna Youtz of Tenafly begins on a bridge in Qinzhou, a Chinese city of a million people so far south it is almost in Vietnam. On May 25 last year, three tiny morsels wrapped in baby blankets were found by a passer-by who reported them to the district police station."
Thus begins the moving story of the sudden expansion of the family of Gladney parents David Youtz and Mary Child and how their first daughter, Sophie, with equal suddenness gained three sisters. We are grateful to The Record of Hackensack, NJ, for allowing us to reprint their story in full.
Family Stories
More and more families are writing stories of their experiences in adopting from China.
We have collected several of them in a special section of this site.
All About China Adoption
If you are visiting this site to learn more about adopting from China, this section is just for you.
It's a primer on what you can expect and what you will experience.
If you have already adopted from China and want to help friends or family understand the ins and outs of the process, this is the section to refer them to.
Stay Close!
We plan to regularly add new features to our site.
Please let us know of ideas you have to make this site a better resource for you.
ira Jeffrey-Craft, a daughter of China, and her father traveled to China to adopt a brother for Mira and her sister, Jolie.2008 CCAA Summer Camp Update
CCAA has announced that they will not sponsor a summer camp this year, due to the Olympics. We do anticipate that they will host another camp in 2009.
It will be several months before details are known of a 2009 camp, but you may want to register with us to receive email updates once information begins to arrive. (Your contact information is shared with no one.)
The 2007 Beijing summer camp filled up very quickly. We expect that another one in 2009 will draw an even greater response.
Tragedy in China
We are saddened beyond words at the devastation,
suffering and loss of life caused by the earthquake in China. Click here for links to news organizations with up-to-date information.
For at least the moment, the best way all of us can help is to offer financial assistance. If you would like to contribute, please make a check payable to the Gladney Center with a notation of China-earthquake, and send it to:
Gladney Center for Adoption
363 Seventh Avenue
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10010
The donation is tax deductible. We promise that every penny of your donation will go to the children in the area affected by the earthquake.
About the China Initiative
The China Initiative is a bold endeavor to benefit children in Chinese orphanages, children who have been adopted from China, and adoptive families. It is also an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the bond families and children feel to China.
Click here to learn more about the China Initiative.