Bridge of Hope for Russian Children
In 1997 Cradle of Hope Adoption Center, Inc. established the first Bridge of Hope for Russian Children (BOHRC) program, which brought 13 Russian orphans to the mid-Hudson region of New York. More than 10 years later, the program has expanded to several other states including Illinois. Since its inception, the program has brought more than 450 children to the United States for summer camp.
The BOHRC program provides an opportunity for Russian orphans, approximately ages 7 to 12, to experience a summer in the United States. Through BOHRC, children spend approximately three weeks with a U.S. host family learning the basics about living in a family. During the day, they attend a local day camp near their host family’s home so they can swim, play games and have a typical American summer experience. The program also sponsors weekend cookouts, pool parties and other events that enable the children to stay in touch with friends from their orphanage and give host families the opportunity to share experiences.
All BOHRC children participate in this program under the sponsorship of Cradle of Hope Adoption Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Cradle of Hope Adoption Center is a highly respected and reputable non-profit international adoption agency with fifteen years of experience assisting Russian orphans and more than 2,700 adoptions of children from Russia, Eastern Europe, China and Latin America. Cradle of Hope Adoption Center partners with local adoption agencies, like St. Mary’s Services, to complete the home study process, license the families through the Department of Children & Family Services, provide training and support to host families, conduct social events during the program and assist with dossier paperwork in the future.
The next Bridge of Hope for Russian Children informational meeting will be:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010
at St. Simon's Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd., Arlington Heights, IL
10 a.m. to Noon
Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, please call 1-847-870-8181 or email Michaelyn Sloan, international adoption coordinator, at msloan@stmaryservices.com.
