One of the main reasons we wanted to build a web site was to share information about our two adoptions from Ukraine. We are so happy to now help others in this way, for it was through the Internet and Cathy Harris's own web site that we learned that not only was doing an independent international adoption possible, (meaning without the use of an adoption agency and resulting high fees), but that it could be a reality for us too! Cathy gave us FREE* guidance with all our documents and introduced us to a professional team of translators, facilitators and drivers in Ukraine. She invited us to join her online email support group made up of former families she had helped and others like us who were yet to adopt. This made us feel very comfortable with this process as we never felt we were "on our own" even though we did not use an adoption agency or an attorney. This email group has greatly enlarged since we first joined in February of 2000 and the group has since came up with an official name! We call ourselves, "The IUAFN", which stands for, The Independent Ukrainian Adoption Family Network and our motto is, "Families Helping Families". Julie remains an active member of The IUAFN in an effort to help others here in the United States give homes to the orphans of Ukraine.
*Cathy originally asked for a $500 donation for her own children's former orphanage in Ukraine instead of a fee for her. Although we had no problem with this donation, surprisingly, some did not pay this. For that reason, the donation became mandatory. Since her grass-roots efforts had really taken off, and she was helping so many families, Cathy had decided to use this money to assist other orphanages throughout Ukraine and started a non-profit organization for this purpose. People still complained, and ultimately with the huge demand of time she was now putting in, Cathy formed a "for profit" business called Ukrainian Angels and now charges $1,000 for her services in addition to the Ukrainian fees.
We truly hope that for those considering growing your family in this way you will be inspired to move forward. There are so many wonderful children of all ages still in Ukraine that are waiting for a family to find them.
There is a "Tell A Friend" circle to the left if you know anyone who may enjoy reading this page.
If you have any questions, please email Julie from the email circle which is also to the left.
From the links listed on the left, you will find interesting and useful information about our own personal adoptions and adopting independently from Ukraine.
We have included our reasons for adopting and why we went to Ukraine. You will find the basic process outlined, a lengthy journal of our July 2000, Spring 2002 and Fall 2002 trips and how our children have adjusted since coming to to America. On the "Back in America" pages, we have provided a breakdown of our complete adoption costs for both Erik's and Lauren's adoptions.
Because an adoption affects everyone close to you, we have included a page where you can read what our older kids, parents, extended family and friends thought about Erik's adoption when we first told them and their thoughts now.
Last of all, we have compiled a page with several links. Our favorite is of course Cathy Harris's web site! Many others in our family network also have web sites where you can read their adoption stories. Links related to Ukraine and general adoption information is also listed.
