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Bridge of Hope

In 1997 Cradle of Hope Adoption Center established the first Bridge of Hope (BOH) program, which brought 13 Russian orphans to the mid-Hudson region of New York. Almost 10 years later, the program has expanded to several other states, including Illinois. Since its inception, the Bridge of Hope program has brought more than 450 children to the United States for summer camp.

The BOH program provides an opportunity for Russian orphans, approximately ages 7 to 12, to experience a summer in the United States. Through BOH, children spend approximately one month 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 BOH children are able to participate in this program because of the relationship Cradle of Hope Adoption Center has with Russian orphanages. 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, conduct social events during the program and assist with dossier paperwork in the future.

For more information about the Bridge of Hope program, please call St. Mary’s Services at 800-252-4152.