LIFELINK GROWS INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION PROGRAM
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Contact: For Immediate Release
Sylvia Dobbins-Daniels November 6, 2007
LIFELINK GROWS INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION PROGRAM
Acquisitions of two agencies and new partnership will broaden Lifelink's reach into Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, Poland and Vietnam
(BENSENVILLE, IL.) - Lifelink today announced it has acquired two child placement agencies and established new direct-placement partnerships that will extend its international adoption program into Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, Poland and Vietnam.
Lifelink's international adoption program serves prospective parents in Illinois, Iowa, Florida and Wisconsin. Lifelink has placed more than 3,500 children from Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine and Vietnam since 1984.
Lifelink finalized the acquisition of Intercountry Adoption Center, Inc., in Bradenton, Florida, and Family Counseling Center, in Mundelein, Illinois as part of its newly adopted strategic plan. Lifelink also completed a partnership agreement with Haiti's Rivers of Hope Orphanage, to place Haitian children.
"We are recognized throughout the U.S., and indeed the world, for the quality and success of our international adoption program. Parents find we provide the support and information they need to evaluate international adoption as a way to start or grow their families," said Lifelink president Rev. Timothy C. Rhodes.
"International adoption is a ministry for us. It is a part our institutional commitment to child welfare. We are delighted to extend our reach into these new countries. Our adoption professionals will bring considerable experience, expertise and care to placing children from these countries in loving adoptive homes."
Lifelink has established a Client Satisfaction Rate of more than 98 percent among its adoptive families. Lifelink is the largest international adoption placing agency in Illinois.
In 2006 Lifelink placed 180 foreign children with adoptive parents in four states. With some country protocols for adoptive parents changing recently, Lifelink's professionals have provided prospective parents with considerable information to evaluate which countries fit best with their circumstances and adoption hopes.
"The landscape for foreign adoptions is changing as some countries announce new restrictions and protocols. Guatemala is an example of a country undergoing political change that has affected its current practices in international adoption. Based on our 23 years of experience, we know that protocols and practices reflect a country's desire to ensure the highest quality homes for its children, in accordance with its values," said Lifelink vice president of international adoptions Michelle Saddler.
"We work with prospective parents and foreign adoption agencies in the best interests of the child. The number of successful adoptive families we have helped to create shows our commitment to a philosophy of service through international adoption."
Lifelink's international adoption program has 12 locations in Florida (Sarasota), Illinois (Bensenville, Champaign, Edwardsville, Moline, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield), Iowa (Davenport) and Wisconsin (Appleton, Brookfield and Fitchburg).
Anyone interested in more information about Lifelink's international adoption services can contact the agency at 1-630-521-8281
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Founded in 1893, Lifelink is a not-for-profit human service organization related to the United Church of Christ. Lifelink serves older adults, children and families through a variety of quality programs including affordable housing for older adults and physically challenged adults, housing management services, home care, Head Start, foster care, international adoption, Latino family services and ministries for at-risk youths at its Hoyleton offices in southern Illinois.
2007 Nov 7