Category - MLJ Adoptions

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8

Oct

Being in the Minority the Majority of the Time

by MLJ Adoptions

in MLJ Adoptions

For two years, I lived in Guatemala with my family while my parents did missionary work. Living in a foreign country was the single best experience of my young life. The lessons that I learned and the experiences that it gave me are memories that I would not change for the world. Living in Guatemala ...

17

Sep

Meet AJ!

by MLJ Adoptions

in MLJ Adoptions

Name: AJ Bergstedt Title at MLJ: Intern/Student What do you actually DO with MLJ? I have had the pleasure of learning the ins and outs of writing/updating home studies, researching resources for families when they receive their referral, learning the process and details behind adoption, and so much more. As a student at IUPUI I ...

9

Aug

What I’ve Learned as an Intern at MLJ Adoptions!

by MLJ Adoptions

in MLJ Adoptions

When I was looking for a placement for my internship, I knew I wanted to join an agency that worked in adoption. As I researched local agencies in the Indianapolis area, MLJ immediately caught my eye. I read about the work that they did and the lives that they impacted, I knew that I wanted ...

9

Jul

How Families Can Spend Their Time in Peru!

in MLJ Adoptions

Families who choose to adopt a child from Peru are required to travel to Peru and stay in country for five to eight weeks to complete their adoption process. Travel happens approximately three months after the family is matched with a child. One parent can return home after approximately two to three weeks. This time ...

2

Jul

Lessons From The Past Ten Years

in MLJ Adoptions

In June, MLJ celebrated its tenth-year anniversary! Personally, being with the agency since its inception, I have worked in the field a bit longer. Anniversaries are a time for reflection and a time to contemplate the road you have traveled, what you have experienced, learned and how these experiences have affected you. Over the last ...

25

Jun

My Lessons Learned About International Adoption

by Angela Simpson, BSW

in MLJ Adoptions, Support Services

During my time here at MLJ Adoptions I’ve grown significantly both professionally and personally. I’ve learned more than I can put into words or fit into one blog, but I do want to highlight a few of the most important lessons I have learned. Trauma All children who join their family through adoption have experienced some ...

13

Jun

What I Have Learned About International Adoption

by MLJ Adoptions

in MLJ Adoptions

Chances are, you are reading this because you are somehow connected to the international adoption community. You have adopted, are in the process, or are thinking about it; or you are a family member or friend of someone who has adopted. This means you probably know far more about international adoption than I did when ...

11

Jun

Explaining Domestic, Foster Care and International Adoption

in Adoption News, MLJ Adoptions

There are many options for building your family, including domestic, foster care and international adoption.

6

Jun

Celebrating Ten Years!

in MLJ Adoptions

A little over 11 years ago, on the northside of Indianapolis, Sonja Brown and I met with Michele Jackson to discuss the steps to becoming an adoption agency. Little did we know how much we would grow in 10 years! Initially starting out with a program for Ukraine, we started preparing to launch programs in ...

21

May

Why I Am Passionate About International Adoption

by MLJ Adoptions

in MLJ Adoptions

Being a social worker, I have always been drawn to advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations, the populations that cannot speak up or fight for themselves, specifically children. As a child, one has to rely solely on others for love, protection and for their needs to be met and this makes them one of ...

9

May

Seeking a Family for a Sibling Group!

by Caitlin Snyder

in MLJ Adoptions

Our in-country staff in Bulgaria recently shared information with MLJ Adoptions regarding a sibling set of five boys who are currently waiting for a family! We are thankful for the opportunity to advocate for these brothers. They range in ages from 13 to 9, (their real names are Shawn, Josef, Sammy, Migel, and Arthur). These ...

25

Apr

MLJ Can Assist with Relative Adoptions!

in Adoption News, MLJ Adoptions

Relative adoptions, also known as a kinship adoption, are an option in many countries for vulnerable children. But the process is determined by several factors, including the sending and receiving country’s adoption laws and whether the countries are signatory to the Hague Convention. All countries however, must observe that the best interests of the child ...

26

Feb

Working to Find Families for Children with Additional Needs

by MLJ Adoptions

in Bulgaria, MLJ Adoptions

Simona Hoy works for Vesta, MLJ Adoptions’ Bulgarian partner organization. She primarily works to advocate for waiting children, who can be viewed on MLJ Adoptions’ Waiting Child Photolisting. As much as it can be rewarding and personally satisfying to work in helping orphaned children, it may also often leave you with a heavy heart. I ...

31

Jan

What Country and Child-Specific Information Does MLJ Provide to Families?

by Nicole Skellenger, JD

in MLJ Adoptions, Support Services

Communication is always key to developing relationships. In adoption, we’ve found that whenever we can share information specifically regarding a family’s country program or about their referred child, that is the most helpful and appreciated communication. For this reason, we are always working to provide more and better country specific and child specific information. This ...

29

Jan

My Trip to a Ukrainian Orphanage

by Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW

in MLJ Adoptions

While I was in Ukraine earlier this year, we traveled to a smaller town east of the capital city to visit a Ukrainian orphanage, and the children who live there. To get to Zaporizhya from Kyiv, you must head southeast on the fast train. Although we are leaving very early in the morning, the concrete ...

17

Jan

Peru Adoption and the Benefits of the Socialization Period

by Nicole Skellenger, JD

in MLJ Adoptions

We are thrilled to be recently authorized by the Peruvian government to serve children in need of adoption from Peru! It has been some time since MLJ Adoptions opened a new program, and we are excited to have this new option available to prospective adoptive families, especially another Hague Convention adoption program in Latin America. ...

15

Jan

Consider Adopting from Peru!

in MLJ Adoptions

Considering an international adoption from Latin America? Take a look at adopting from Peru! MLJ recently became an approved agency in Peru and we are excited to begin the adoption journey with families interested in adoption of older children (6 and older), sibling groups of all ages and children with additional medical needs. Medical needs ...

27

Dec

Celebrating 2017! – An MLJ Adoptions Update

by Caitlin Snyder

in MLJ Adoptions

This year has been a whirlwind for MLJ Adoptions! It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to be able to advocate for our world’s most vulnerable children. Each and every day our team is thankful we are invited to play a role in caring for unparented children in Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, ...

15

Nov

Support Vulnerable Children in Burkina Faso!

by Caitlin Snyder

in Burkina Faso, MLJ Adoptions

We at MLJ are excited that a second family is nearing completion of their adoption process in Burkina Faso! Our Burkina Faso program has exceeded our expectations with regards to transparency, ethical practices, practices for caring for children in need and waiting timelines for prospective adoptive parents. To date, three additional families have been matched ...

9

Oct

MLJ Adoptions’ Third Quarter Update

by Caitlin Snyder

in MLJ Adoptions

The leaves have started turning colors and falling to the ground, signaling that fall is here! At least in Indiana. The end of September also signifies the end of another quarter, and a time to share updates in our country programs. We have so much to be thankful for! Bulgaria Since the end of June, ...

10

Jul

Reviews of MLJ Adoptions: 2017

by Nicole Skellenger, JD

in MLJ Adoptions

One of our goals in serving children and families is to limit the stress of adoption and provide the most positive experience possible for our families. The adoption process is certainly not perfect, and can be extremely stressful for all involved. We know that we cannot eliminate the stress, but we do try our best ...

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