BRIGHTENING THE FUTURES OF ORPHANED AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

The Joy of Home

Summer 2012

WACAP Today 2

Dear Friends,I’ve heard the phrase the “changing face of adoption” arising in many conversations lately. With its focus on providing protections for children and adoptive families, the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption is often cited among the reasons for change. Certainly, since the convention entered into force for the U.S. in 2008, adop-tion agencies have responded to the higher standards required, some by adjusting their services or refocusing their work. Some have even closed their doors. Interna-tionally, we’ve seen changes as governments take a deep look at their processes and laws related to adoption.

Some countries are promoting domestic adoption more, and others ensuring their legisla-tion includes necessary legal and ethical safeguards for children. Others are implementing new country-wide systems for sharing about children who need families. All good news for children!

But alongside this “changing face of adoption,” I’ve overheard another conversation — one about how there are “fewer children available” for adoption or how the children “available today are different” from those in need of adoption years ago.

To that conversation, here’s one answer.

There are not fewer children in need of adoption. In United States foster care, right now 98,000 children wait for a family. Around the world, over 150 million orphaned children still need parents. Every day, WACAP staff seeks families for over 400 identified children on our secure Waiting Child website and looks for homes for the 2,000 children the Chinese govern-ment has told us need one today. In other countries where we work, including Thailand, India, Russia and Bulgaria to name a few, there are children still waiting for families to call their own. So many of these children could come home to families — if there were families waiting in line to adopt them.

The face of adoption has not changed for the children who wait. Since 1976, WACAP has helped healthy infants, kids who are older, kids with medical needs and kids who are part of a group of siblings to join adoptive families. Now, in many places, “healthy babies” are adopted within their birth countries and, therefore, are not in need of, nor available for, international adop-tion. This is a positive change.

But the children who are not adopted in their country of birth — the kids who are older, kids with medical needs, and the kids who are part of a sibling group — they continue to be in need of a permanent home, “available” for international adoption, just as they have always been. The faces of waiting children have not changed. And as WACAP has for over 35 years, we continue to advocate for the children for whom it is harder to find a family.

We may not be seeing as many infants coming home to families as before, but as we hear about the children “who are left,” we know they are the children who were always there, kids all ages, all bursting with potential, all with the same need — a home and a family.

Warm wishes,

Lillian Thogersen President & CEO 206.575.4550

OUR MISSION WACAP (World Association

for Children and Parents)

provides life-changing aid

and adoption services to

orphans and other children

who need families.

CONteNtSCeO’s Letter 2China 4, 5Presenting Sponsor 6From the Mailbox 7(India, Romania, Russia)

A Family for Me Back

ON tHe COVeRAbigail Newsom (age 3), was adopted from China.

She's delighted to be home with her family, and she shows it. Abigail's surgery to repair her cleft lip and palate was in June. (Read more about Abigail's story on Page 4.)

WACAP is committed to finding families for children who have correctable needs like Abigail's. On Page 5, you can see a photo of a child adopted from China whose cleft lip and palate has been repaired.

Lillian Thogersen

WACAP Today 2 3 WACAP Today

SAVE THE DATE: WACAP'S 2012 AUCTIONIt’s not too early to mark your calendar for the 2012 Children’s Hope Gala and Auction on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

Themed “There’s No Place Like Home,” this year's sensational event will again take place at Seattle’s lovely Four Seasons Hotel.

WACAP is thankful for the ongoing sponsorship of Group Health, whose support helps us continue to reach children with hope and with a family.

Watch for details at www.wacap.org.

WACAP FAMILY FUN DAY(Read more about Sun Travel USA on Page 6)

Held this year at Wild Waves Theme Park on July 28, 2012, Family Fun Day (formerly Kids Day) is an annual event for the whole family. We’re grateful to Sun Travel for making this day possible.

A gathering for families who have adopted children through WACAP or for those who are beginning their adoption journey, WACAP Family Fun Day provides a day of fun, food and entertainment for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Holding Family Fun Day at a venue like Wild Waves Theme Park (Federal Way, Wash.) not only appeals to WACAP families and an array of age groups, but also allows WACAP to share about the opportunities in adoption with the 10,000 daily park visitors.

Our thanks also to Wizards of the Coast for its valuable support.

Visit www.wacap.org for more information about WACAP events.

WACAP BOARD & StAFFBOArD OF DIreCTOrSLaura McMillan (Board Chair)Dave Janssen (Vice Chair)Phil Rosnik (treasurer) erna Naert (Secretary)ellenore AngelidisKellie BerndtRalph CarlileBeth DiDomenicoWalther K. GoeMark GoetzLinda HildrethShelly NgoUyen NguyenLisa NortonRebecca tengesLisa WeilKathy Weymiller

ADmINISTrATIONLillian thogersenPresident & CeO

Spring HechtVice President, Social Services

Mary K. DuncanVice President, Development

Mary MooVice President, Adoption

WACAP TODAYMissy HarrelCommunication editor

mAILING ADDreSSP.O. Box 88948Seattle, WA 98138

mAIN OFFICe315 S. Second St.Renton, WA 98057tel: 206.575.4550toll Free: 800.732.1887www.wacap.orgwacap@wacap.org

MOTHER'S DAY, BRUNCH ... AND STYLEThis Mother’s Day, WACAP’s annual brunch drew nearly 300 attendees to Seattle’s Olympic Fairmont Hotel. Participants honored the women in their lives and celebrated family. Dozens of children, many adopted through WACAP, participated in a style show and walked in honor of children still waiting for their family. The dresses the children showcased — sewn by volunteers of Dress a Girl Around the World — were later donated to children living in orphanages in Ethiopia.

It was a privilege to host this celebratory event and witness the difference a family makes in so many lives while also remembering the children we serve.

PRESENTED BY

PRESENTED BY

STAY CONNECTED THIS SUMMERWe're online. If you haven't already, come find us.

—Frequent our website: www.wacap.org —Visit our Impact Blog:

http://wacap.wordpress.com —Follow us on Twitter: adopt_an_orphan —Find WACAP on Facebook

Help Us Spread the Word

As a supporter, you're our best ambassador! If you’d like to share about WACAP in your community, please contact us at wacap@wacap.org or 206.575.4550.

INSeRt

IN HONOR OF

Honored Children

Donations have been made in honor of the following children and other members of the WACAP family. These funds will be used to continue adoption services and humanitarian aid to children who need families in the countries WACAP serves. We welcome your donation to WACAP. Just visit www.wacap.org, or use the envelope included in this issue of WACAP Today.

Abby MasonAbigail Tianle MarschellAdam RobertsAdelina GillAimae EvelsizerAlex DugdaleAlex OrloffAlissa NecocheaAllison SontagAmanda AshleyAmelia Ying-Swann KetzelAnastasia BrandAndrew S. KellerAni JanssenAnna VanderWendeAnton Nicholas LarsonBasya KasinitzBen ZollnerBenjamin MichaelsBezabh Kashe StewartBilly CroweCameron NecocheaCarl DoehlCatharine AllenChao Hugo de HaanClaire GolderClark AshleyColin WadsworthDale Huayu EastmanDana DanielsDana Lueck-MammenDaniel DeHaanDaniel Um FletcherDaphne DanielsDarci Wen SiegelDavid EnyeartDavid Lueck-MammenDee JetterDeepa KonaKanchiDimitry RosnikElizabeth AllenElizabeth EnyeartElizabeth OieEllie LarsenElliott Austen BellEmi Yamada-HeidnerEmily Baisakhi SeaborgEmily DugdaleEmily LundEmily McNaryEmily Slusher

Emma HamblyEricka Jing LeeFiqir MacGalina FrancoGeorge AustinGheorghe RyserGrace Amelia MatthewsGrace GolderHana VolkHanna Duan Diamond ChipmanHope Elizabeth MatthewsIan Lars ThomsenIrina DudetskyIrina Nicole DayJackie ManteleJade Rose SuttonJade Xin Ting PlichtaJaine HuenergardJames Minho-yi GribJessica Angelina Xia DefiestaJoe StevensJoshua McKayJosie HayatJoy BrandensteinJulia GolderJulia Surekha SublenduJung ZollnerJustin RochaKachi AbbottKaetlyn DidjurgisKaiden SaucedoKaili MichaelsonKalaimathi RossKanmani KuriyanKara Anthony-PriceKara NecocheaKaterina AustinKatharine CowanKatie ManteleKatie RochaKatya StowellKayla Brandt-RaufKimiko Ann ReidKyle RobertsLarissa IfriLaura J. McMillanLeah MeyersLevi CowanLiam BeaubienLila WilcockLior Hemmat

Loren ToewsLorna MartelLucas Yuri DouglassLucy MeyerLucy Yi MayerLuke Kyung-Min KaczynskiLyndon ToewsLynne ReifenrathMadeline Sofia FuXuan FergusonMala Presley MartushenMalia Hye-Su BrainardMalia Kaye YoungManasaManjula KuriyanMargaret Sheela ReddenMarguerite Mary Ni Yang TwoheyMaria BeaulieuMariya Bridget ReddenMark Geon KaczynskiMary HorsburghMary McCartyMasha JohnstoneMatt SturgesMatthew A. HagenMatthew BeckleyMattison LarkinsMaxim HodgesMaximus McKayMaya OrloffMegan NecocheaMei Ling McAfeeMia HagertyMia Yamada-HeidnerMiLee Jan ReidMing Rose CookeMira KasinitzMiranda Fu Kai SchaferMolly MayerNaomi MartelNatalie CowanNatalya HodgesNathan VolkNicolai GillNicole Mei Lian LopezNina Anastassiya RobertsNina WilcockNoah McKayNora L. BiecheleOlivia NecocheaOpal Violet SuttonParveen Udawala

Patrick Yue SuttonPearl Lilly SuttonPeter Thomas Pitha FongPetre Mihai MarstonPeyton PasakarnisPtarmigan AbbottQingyu OnouyeRachel Nikitha SunderarajRachel OieRachel Tian EastmanRohina Jayahti JamesRoman FitzpatrickRoopa KonaKanchiRyan ClabbySai JetterSamantha Jin ChowSamantha WeckenmanSara McKaySarah E. HagenSarita ToewsSasha BrandSasha FitzpatrickSasha JohnstoneSera-Kim HuenergardShawn PagelShruthi ToewsSophie St. JacquesSuchitra GorackeTerah HorvathTessa Anthony-PriceThanaree Alyssa PickiensThawit Prikprasong NelsonThe Toews ChildrenThe Werner Family ChildrenTheresa Rose Dong Jie BremenourTim McCartyTim WadsworthTrevor JahnUma GwaltneyVictoria Fei EastmanViola Fu Xin SchaferVladimir JohnstoneWei WilsonWillem VanderWendeWinter AbbottXin Mei Michelle ThomsonXinli ArnholdZenna Brandt-RaufZohar Hemmat

INSeRt

HeLP US CHANGe A CHILD'S LIFe

Since 1976, WACAP has been making a difference for foster kids, orphans and vulnerable children.

We’re excited to celebrate over 10,000 children who have been brought out of orphanages and into the loving homes of their adoptive families.

We CAN’t DO It ALONe

Our programs wouldn’t be possible without the help of generous charitable contributions.

Well over a half million dollars is needed every year for WACAP’s Promise Fund for waiting children — children who are older and/or who have special needs.

Gifts to the Promise Fund allow us to:

• Identify the children in need around the world • Reach out to find the right family for each child • Provide grants when finances are the only barrier to a child being adopted

eVeRY DOLLAR MAKeS A DIFFeReNCe IN A CHILD’S LIFe

Generous donations have been made in honor of the children and others listed on reverse. You, too, can make a donation in honor of a child by using the envelope in this magazine.

WACAP Today 4

3:30 p.m. at the Newsom's. You might expect a fuss from the almost 3-year-old as mom helps her into her crib. Abigail’s been settling into a new schedule after coming home in March, but since then, she’s also reshaped naptime expectations for her parents and five siblings … because this toddler doesn’t cry at lights out. She laughs.

From 8 months old, Abigail, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, went to sleep inside an orphanage in China, waiting until this spring to finally experience the joy of a family routine.

In May 2011, WACAP President and CEO Lillian Thogersen and China Program Manager Elizabeth Rose met this spirited girl, traveling to orphanages in China’s Shandong province as part of WACAP’s Shandong Partnership. Committing to finding her a family, they returned with video and photos that helped them share a more complete picture of Abigail with the family that was right for her.

As WACAP advocates daily for children who need homes, staff reach out to adoptive families to help them better understand the needs a child may have. After learning about the 2,000 children in China waiting for a family, many with a medical need that could be corrected or managed, the Newsom’s knew they’d "been brought the right organization and the right program.” Growing their family to eight, they resolved to “not set limitations,” Amy shares. “We felt that we could support a child who had a special need. And now, I can’t imagine not doing it. I can’t imagine having any other child.”

For Joel and Amy, coming to this moment was both “meant to be,” as well as a journey. They’d always felt they were to share their lives with children who needed a family, but they had questions when they looked over the file WACAP sent with Abigail’s information.

“’My husband just knew, saying, ‘She’s the one.’ I asked him, ‘How do you know?’” Studying the tear-stained face of a little girl and rereading words like “irritated,” “restless,” “introverted,” and “scared of strangers,” Amy reworded her question: “How do we know that, at only 2 years old, she just doesn’t like new situations or that these are her personality traits? Maybe, as is common with

babies who have a cleft, she’s sick, has an ear infection, or is hungry. With a mommy’s heart, I thought, maybe she has needs that need to be met; maybe it’s because she needs a family.”

Five months later, they traveled to China to bring their daughter home, and the Newsoms asked themselves what their family’s “new normal” would be. Abigail’s cleft still needed to be repaired,

and Amy searched herself: Would she bond differently to her daughter? “As a mother, would I be loving her while seeing an imperfection in her cleft? I went through a range of fears and emotions, but after them all, what I saw was the need for love … and the need for a family — Abigail's first special need.”

This June marked the first surgery repairing Abigail’s cleft, but her parents note, “We have fallen in love with her so much. We

realize we’ll miss seeing her cleft lip and that same smile that has been so precious.” Still, it’s the everyday joy and spirit Abigail radiates that remind her parents how much she’s changed from the first photo or their first day together in China. “And all those little things we’re going to do for her medically to make her life easier, from surgery to speech therapy, are things any parent would do for her child. I thought it was going to be a roller coaster to deal with a child with special needs, but it’s really not,” her mom adds.

Amy thinks back to just three days after coming home — it’s the day those naptime giggles began. Quietly peeking in the room to investigate the commotion, she was stunned to see Abigail still laying in the same position, no toys distracting her, but a smile growing wider. “She was just … laughing, her eyes twinkling with unimaginable joy. And I realized, tears welling in mine, she’s just happy to be home.”

BRINGING CHILDReN HOMe

China

“WACAP is doing an amazing thing by advocating for these children; especially now that I have Abigail home, I can see the difference that it makes to have a family.” Amy Newsom,WACAP Adoptive Parent

Home ... there's No Place Like It

(Left) Abigail, happy to be with mom and one of her big sisters. (Right) Abigail's family celebrates her homecoming.

Abigail's referral photo

WACAP Today 4 5 WACAP Today

BRIGHteNING FUtUReS

China

“WACAP is a huge reason why Elijah and Jack are upstairs taking a nap in their own beds, in a safe home, well-fed, healthy and loved.”

Bill Rumbaugh,WACAP Adoptive Parent

Now parents of 10, Kelly and Bill Rumbaugh welcomed Jack and Elijah home this March. It was a special reunion for the family, but in some ways, not the first. Years before, Kelly had come face-to-face with Jack in China, never knowing he’d be her son. Elijah, whose adoption was completed just before Jack’s, traveled home with a brother he’d just met but embraced with open arms.

In 2009, when adopting her daughter in China, Kelly visited a nearby foster home. There she met 19-month-old Jack (Xing Liang), who was cuddling his nanny and capturing all with his smile. He was born with hydrocephalus (a fluid buildup around the brain)

and spina bifida, and his legs were paralyzed following nerve damage during surgery. Traveling home with her daughter, Kelly also carried a photo of this sweet little boy.

When WACAP Communication Manager Julie Snyder traveled to China in 2010 to adopt her daughter Lia — born with a cleft lip and palate that is now repaired — she learned about Jack,

who touched her heart, too. He'd been Lia's roommate, and in the days following Lia's adoption, the foster home shared that Jack had saved part of his food for Lia, thinking his friend might return and be hungry.

In China, thousands of children with special needs wait to be adopted. WACAP focuses on one child at a time, listing the child’s information on our secure Waiting Child webpage and reaching out to prospective parents through our Family Finders staff. "As I learned about Jack and Lia’s friendship,” Julie states, “I also learned that this little boy had been on China’s list of waiting children for nine months with no prospective families in sight. WACAP immediately posted his information on our Waiting Child webpage and offered a Promise Child grant to help with his adoption costs.”

When she saw Jack on the Waiting Child webpage, Kelly was astonished: she'd already met him! "I knew in an instant we wanted to try to adopt him," she recalls. Since adopting their first child with a minor special need, the Rumbaughs have felt drawn to adopt

children with more complex needs. “All of our children have been waiting children," they share. "We'd also hoped to adopt a child with Down syndrome for two years and knew that was a huge step (adopting a child with cognitive versus medical needs)." As they began the adoption process, they learned from WACAP it was possible to adopt two children, so they also moved forward with the adoption of 6-year-old Elijah, born with Down syndrome in China.

While educated about their sons’ needs, the family had concerns prior to their coming home. “With Jack, it was his health. We wondered about any damage to bladder or kidneys, issues that affect kids with spina bifida. We’re still doing testing,” says Kelly. “Elijah was described as high functioning, so we were concerned about his placement in school and how that would be determined.” But

their foremost need remains the focus: “They are simply little boys looking for security and a place to be loved unconditionally.”

Already, the change after a few months is clear. "Elijah now has family around him who lovingly sets limits,” Bill notes. Where previous reports indicated limited to no language/speech development, he's now mimicking words and engaging. “Since his sister Brighton is deaf, we use ASL; his skill development there is on fast forward!” Today, Elijah simply delights in sharing with his family members, whether it's a hug or a piece of candy. And 4-year-old Jack, or Mr. Personality, “is learning to be an integral part of a family and beginning to get the medical care he needs.”

Just a season ago, with Elijah's court process recently completed, Bill was proceeding to the civil affairs office with his daughter to meet Jack, while Elijah was waiting at the hotel with his brother-in-law. Upon return to the hotel, Bill opened the door ... followed by Jack announcing in Chinese, “I’m here!” “Elijah was beside himself with joy to meet his new brother,” Bill recalls. “After 15 minutes, they're sitting on the bed, Jack smiling and Elijah with his arm draped around Jack's shoulders.”

Family Reunions

(Left) Kelly is delighted to introduce Jack (middle-left) and Elijah to one of their sisters. (Right) WACAP staff member with daughter Lia (Jack's roommate at his foster home in China).

Kelly's photo of Jack

Elijah's referral photo

WACAP Today 6

Sun Travel USA: Growing Up With Adoptive FamiliesIt's important for transnational adoptees to form a healthy relationship with their birth culture, yet that can sometimes be a challenge for Chinese-born children growing up in the U.S. Parents address this challenge in many ways, but one of the most effective ways is returning to China as a family to explore the nation that gave them so much. In the "heritage trip" — a staple within the adoptive community — families find this opportunity for discovery together.

Since 1998, WACAP has partnered with Sun Travel USA to provide travel assistance for families heading to China as part of their adoption process. The company, led by Executive Director Sophie Wang, has assisted WACAP families in bringing home thousands of children, and their guides have built up a reputation for being knowledgeable about adoption procedures, flexible on itineraries and excellent with children. As the kids have grown up, families have sent emails and photos to keep in touch and express thanks.

During that time, Sun Travel has grown up, too. By popular demand, they expanded their business to include heritage tours. Families who traveled with them to bring their children home have been delighted to learn that the same guides would be leading their heritage trip.

“The guides who handled our orphanage visits were experts at Chinese adoptions,” Rob and Deb, adoptive parents from New York, recall, “and it was obvious how much they cherished the opportunity to share with our daughters the experience of seeing their first homes.” Their connection to the world of adoption gave them an intrinsic understanding of how important the trip was for the family.

Relationships and Discovery: Heritage and Educational ToursBut what about the tour itself? A heritage trip extends far beyond an orphanage visit. Kathy is an adoptive mom from Colorado who went on a heritage trip with guides Cindy, Wendy W. and Wendy N.

She looks back on the bond that grew between her children and their guides during the trip’s "in-between" moments. "I find myself now thinking about Cindy walking through the Forbidden City with the girls trailing right next to her … and both Wendys playing cards with the girls and cracking them up. Those are the kinds of memories I most appreciate."

Some families have returned to China several times. Some have brought extended family and friends. Sun Travel, remaining flexible, continues to build the trips that meet adoptive families’ needs. So when WACAP mom-teacher Lisa Clayton proposed a student tour, Sophie and the team were eager to make it happen. Years later, Sun Travel proudly offers a full array of China educational tours, using the same guides who have proven to be so effective with families.

Thanksgiving Heritage Trip in the FallThe company continues to take its cue from adoptive parents in developing new programs and promotions. After a very successful November 2011 heritage group tour, adoptive moms Jama Bradley and Mia Engelman-Ross reported back to Sun Travel about their experiences. Building on the good and addressing challenges — such as the need for a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner — Sun Travel created a Thanksgiving heritage trip for this fall, open to everyone. The tour takes advantage of affordable seasonal airfares and exceptional weather in China's southwest. And to make this promotion more enticing, adopted children travel for free.

According to Sophie, "We want to make it possible for every family to go back and see China. So we make it as affordable as we can. Like the parents, I want the kids to love China." And she means it. This summer, Sophie is leading two reunion heritage tours ... but only after spending some time with her daughter in Xi'an.

To learn more about Sun Travel USA's tours and services, visit suntravelusa.net. WACAP is thankful for their support as presenting sponsor of WACAP's 2012 Family Fun Day (Page 3). Article contributed by David Mistysyn, Sun Travel USA.

PReSeNtING SPONSORSHIP

Sun Travel USA

“As presenting sponsor of WACAP's Family Fun Day and as we serve families as they are traveling to China, Sun Travel is happy to continue our support of WACAP's important work.”David Mistysyn,Sun Travel USA

thank You Sun travel: Presenting Sponsor of Family Fun Day

(Left) Heritage tour families gather in front of Elephant Trunk Hill in scenic Guilin, Nov. 2011. (Right) Students of King’s High celebrate spring break at the Forbidden City in Beijing, April 2012.

WACAP Today 6 7

Some of our favorite items to see in WACAP’s mailbox and email inbox are the messages and photos families send. Whether a thank you, a postcard from a family adventure, or a letter about how a family has grown together (or how a child adopted through WACAP has grown up), each one brings us a smile and shows us the difference a family makes. Here are a couple of the messages we’ve received this spring.

We want to hear from you and would love to share your stories with others. Please contact us at development@wacap.org.

ADOPtING tHROUGH WACAPSince 1976, WACAP has helped more than 10,000 children find loving homes. We currently help families in all 50 states adopt children from nine countries: Bulgaria, China, ethiopia, India, Korea, Russia, taiwan, thailand and the United States. We are fully accredited and strive to meet the highest ethical standards in all of our endeavors. If you are interested in learning more about adoption, call us at 206.575.4550, or email wacap@wacap.org. You can also request an information packet via our website, www.wacap.org.

Words From Our

Families

FROM tHe MAILBOX

A Note From JuneIn the fall of 1985, June welcomed home Anjali, who was adopted from India through WACAP. Today, Anjali is 27 years old and continues to be, as her mom, June, says "a most precious gift." In nearly 30 years, WACAP has helped over 1,200 children from India who needed families come home.

"My daughter graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA, received her Bachelor of Science in exercise science, and a master’s in orthotics and prosthetics. She is just months away from finishing her second and final year of residency. She makes and fits prosthetics and loves what she does. She has a very warm and loving heart

and is a beautiful person both inside and out. ... I’ve meant to write this thank you for years. When I heard about your latest program in Bulgaria, I just had to write. What you do makes a difference." March 2012; visit our Impact Blog at http://wacap.wordpress.com to read more.

Anjali and her mom, June

A Letter From eugeneThis spring, WACAP received a thank you from Eugene with a special gift. His son Gheorghe, now 15, was adopted through WACAP at age 2. The enclosed celebra-tory donation from Eugene and his friends and family will help WACAP continue to find loving homes every day for the children who need them.

"To celebrate my first 50 years of life, I decided to throw a party with good food and music and to try to raise some money for WACAP and also for a nonprofit theatre group that does wonderful work with kids, including my son Gheorghe, who was adopted through WACAP from Romania in 1999. ... I am happy to be able to send you the proceeds. … Thank you for all the wonderful work you do for children and their families.”April 2012

A Message from Connie and LamontAlex was adopted through WACAP from Russia in 1999 at age 6 and 1/2. Overcom-ing early challenges related to motor skill development with the love and sup-port of his family, he has become an accomplished figure skater and determined athlete. He plans to attend college this fall, majoring in Business. Ben was also adopted in 1999 through WACAP from Russia when he was a year old.

"Alex is a wonderful son; we couldn't have dreamed how blessed we would be by him. Ben is absolutely thriving. He's in ninth grade, is very smart (4.0 GPA) and athletic, with an unstoppable sense of humor. We cannot imag-ine life without these two incredible boys." March 2012Alex (left) and Ben, adopted from Russia

P.O. Box 88948Seattle, WA 98138Tel: 206.575.4550Toll free: 800.732.1887www.wacap.orgwacap@wacap.org

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WACAP ReCeIVeS eVeRGReeN AWARD FOR 2012!Laura McMillan (right), WACAP board chair (and vice president of strategic planning at Group Health) accepts the 2012 Evergreen Award for WACAP with Dan Rasmussen (left), executive producer for King 5 Morning News.

WACAP was honored with this award for its work cultivating Washington state’s nonprofit sector and its dedication to creating community.

Through programs like A Family For Me and with the support of our partners including King 5 Television's NBC affiliate station, Yuen Lui Portrait Studio and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, we’re continuing to find families for the children in foster care across Washington state.

Photo by Gregory Schaffer and the Alliance for Nonprofits Washington. Reprinted with permission.