Russia Bans Intercountry Adoption with the United States.
At the close of 2012 (12/28) President Putin of Russia signed into law a ban on Russian adoptions to US citizens. Throughout the years International Family Services has helped unite over 2000 Russian-born children with American parents. There were no IFS families under contract for Russian adoptions at the time of this ruling.
IFS Founders Bob and Carol Mardock, parents to three Russian-adopted children, stated, “As adoption advocates and observers of adoption trends through the years our hearts go out to the many families who are now impacted by Russia’s ‘politics of adoption.’ This is a sad moment for them and for the many orphaned children in Russia who’s chances for a mother and father are now greatly diminished. Through the years we have gained wonderful relationships with many Russian citizens who, like us, are bewildered by this decision that has such an adverse effect on the helpless.”
Executive Director, Carol Mardock went on to say, “At IFS we saw the potential of this happening and feel fortunate that we correctly scaled back our Russia adoption program over the past months and have been referring hopeful families to other adoption opportunities.”
International Family Services echoes the following statement from The National Council for Adoption:
December 28, 2012 – Alexandria, VA – Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the controversial ban on intercountry adoption with the United States on Friday, December 28, 2012.
“Russia’s decision to ban intercountry adoption with the United States and deny children an opportunity of a loving family is most certainly a great tragedy, but it is just one example of a greater tragedy lived out daily by millions upon millions of orphans worldwide who are victims of war, famine, disease, and political systems that deny them a voice” says Chuck Johnson, President and CEO of National Council For Adoption.
Orphans want and need families. National Council For Adoption and orphan advocates from around the world will renew our efforts and continue to be their voice until their right to be loved, protected, and secure in a family is realized.
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Press Release
On May 25, 2012, the Council on Accreditation (COA) notified International Family Services (IFS) that it has granted our Renewal application for Hague Accreditation. DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE. Richard Klarberg, COA President & CEO, writes to Carol Mardock, IFS CEO, “Your achievement of Renewal Hague Accreditation demonstrates your commitment to the children and families you serve both here and abroad.” We are grateful to our dedicated staff for their hard work in this achievement.
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Now in print as a FREE DOWNLOAD – Read IFS co-founder Bob Mardock’s new book, A Stormy Night In Bucharest – Angela’s Story.
(Excerpt) An adage says that God protects fools and children. Perhaps in our case we qualified for the first category on behalf of the second. I will explain.
By the year 2000 International Family Services would assist more than 1000 adoptions from Romania, Russia, China, Vietnam, India, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala, but in March of 1991 IFS was little more than a dream, and my wife Carol and I were “innocents abroad,” on our way to post-Ceausescu Romania to see for ourselves if the horror stories about the conditions of orphans were true, and, perhaps, add another member to our family.
Download to read the rest of the amazing story about how God fulfilled a dream that led to the beginning of one of the influential adoption organizations in the US.
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Check out the latest pictures of children adopted from China. Look Who Just Came Home From China April – October 2011, November 2011, February – April 2012 and September – December 2012
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Read the Latest IFS CHINA LATELY Newsletter – December 2012. Review IFS China stats and get the latest on CCAA document processing.
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Adopted Teen Learns Much From Farm Life – Valery Silva, 18, of Beaver, Oregon, was a Russian orphan until he was adopted by Eric Silva and Paula Wolf with the help of International Family Services. On Silva and Wolf’s daily farm the teen says he has learned much about family, farming and competition. Read the article from HEADLIGHT HERALD – Tillamook, Oregon, November, 2011.
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Join IFS Founders Bob & Carol Mardock for a live 45 minute interactive Exploring the Adoption Adventure in a conference call format from the convenience of your own home.