Calling All Artists!

Have a little artist in your home? Here's their chance to make their mark. Knowing that children have endless visions of sugar plums and candy canes, Gladney is looking to its "babies" to design its annual holiday card. Budding artists can submit cover art, the inside verse . . . or both!

Entry form.

What Really Matters: Russia

What Really Matters: Russia

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Some Bulgarian Greetings...

Hi/Hello Zdraveyte
Good morning Dobro utro
Good evening Dobar vecher
How are you? Kak ste?
Thank you Blagodaria
Good-bye Dovizhdane
Have a nice day Priyaten den
Nice to see you Radwam se da vi vidya

Medical Issues: Rickets

What is rickets?
Rickets is a bone problem that usually occurs in children. Rickets can make your child's bones hurt. The bones soften and can break easily.
What causes rickets?
Most cases of rickets are caused by a lack of vitamin D, but rickets can also be inherited. Children ages 6-24 months are at highest risk of rickets because their bones are growing very rapidly during this period.
How can the doctor tell if my child has rickets?
Your child will need a full physical exam. Blood tests and x-rays of the arms or legs can also help your doctor determine if your child has rickets.
How is rickets treated?
Treatment depends on the type of rickets your child has. Nutritional rickets is treated with vitamin D and calcium, and often improvements occur within a few weeks of treatment. If your child has inherited rickets or has an illness causing the problem, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in rickets. www.familydoctor.org

Angie Parish Joins the Eastern Europe Team

Angie Parish has recently joined the International team at Gladney. She is the new Program Assistant and and she will help you in the Gladney application process, requesting your home study, and building and maintaining your file until you receive your Gladney approval. Angie will assist families in Gladney's Eastern Europe and Latin American programs. She is looking forward to experiencing your adoption journey and helping you fulfill your family dreams of parenthood. Welcome, Angie!

Homestudy is necessary first step in adoption

Homestudy is necessary first step in adoption

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New Gladney Family Association in Florida

We are thrilled to announce that we have just officially established a South Florida GLADNEY FAMILY ASSOCIATION! This is a very exciting time and we would love to have you as a member.

Participating in the South Florida GFA is a wonderful way to meet other adoptive families, share your experiences throughout the different stages of adoption and have fun! As you are well aware, adoption touches all aspects of family life. That is why GFA membership may include grandparents, adult adoptees, friends (adoptive families through other agencies) or members of the community who are supporters of adoption. We are planning our Kick-Off event on Saturday, August 29th (location & time TBA) so please SAVE THE DATE! The dues to join are only $40 per year and the next dues will not be collected until January 1st, 2011, so if you sign up now, you will receive 18 months for the price of 12! You will then be included in every quarterly event we are planning this year as well as the South Florida GFA directory. Once you sign up, we will contact you personally to share more information about our Gladney Family Association. Don't hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions!

We are looking forward to meeting you personally in the near future.

Join today!

2009 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces List

Each year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption announces a list of employers with the best adoption benefits in the nation. Rankings are based on the amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave for employees who adopt. Honorees include the top 100, the top ten by size and the top five in each industry.

America's Top Ten
1 Wendy's International, Inc.
2 Citizen's Financial Group, Inc. / RBS Americas
3-TIE Liquidnet
3-TIE LSI Corporation
3-TIE United Business Media LLC (UBM)
6 Subaru of America, Inc.
7. Bowen Engineering Corporation
8. Timberland
9. Barilla America
10. Time Inc.

The Gladney Center expands to Bulgaria

The Gladney Center for Adoption, one of the oldest and largest maternity homes and adoption agencies in the United States, has opened an inter-country adoption program in Bulgaria. The Fort Worth-based nonprofit organization has partnered with an accredited Bulgarian agency to help place an estimated 8,700 orphans in the Bulgaria.

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Bulgaria Holidays

Jan 1 - New Years Day

Mar 3 - Liberation Day

Celebrate independence from Ottoman Rule: Mar 3, 1878 the Treaty of San Stefano was signed.

Apr 10 - Good Friday

Apr 13 - Orthodox Easter Monday

The symbol for Easter is the bright red colored egg and it is baked into a special bread. On Saturday the families bring their bread to church and offer it up to family, God, and other friends/relatives. The greeting "Christ is Risen" and the answer "Indeed he has risen" is repeated for 40 days after Pascha (Easter).

May 1 - Labour Day

May 6 - Saint George's Day/Army Day

A day where villagers celebrate when St. George came and slaughtered the dragon that was stealing away the sheets and lambs. A sacrifice of a lamb is made in every home on Gergyovden (St. George's Day).

Also the Army or Bravery Day. A parade in honor of the military is held.

May 24 - Culture and Literacy Day

Celebrates the Cyrillic Alphabet and the Bulgarian culture.

Sep 6 - Unification Day

Celebrates the unification of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia.

Sep 22 - Independence Day

The formal independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Nov 1 - Revival Leaders' Day

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve

Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Fasting and feasting is common during this holiday. Also is the baking of a loaf of bread with a small piece of silver inside. It is said that the one who finds the silver will have good luck.

Dec 26 - Second Day of Christmas

Marshall Williams Reporting Live From Bulgaria

Marshall Williams, Senior Vice President of International Adoption and Family Services, is currently in Bulgaria. Check in daily to hear the latest about his travel adventures.


Audio Journals:

• February 16, 2009 - Arriving in Bulgaria
  
  
  


• February 18, 2009 - Tour of Bulgarian Orpahanges
  
  
  



• February 23, 2009 - Final Report From Bulgaria