Alliance for Children Inc. Develops Inspired Program to Keep International Adoptees Connected With Their Heritage.

Business Editors

WELLESLEY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2000

Alliance for Children, a respected international adoption agency celebrating its 25th anniversary, has developed the One-Plus-One program to help the growing number of international adoptees embrace their dual heritage. The program seeks to arrange a lifelong "sibling" relationship between a child adopted from abroad and an older child from that same country of origin. Presently, the One-Plus-One program is being conducted through several orphanages in China.

The One-Plus-One program was initiated in 1998 through an orphanage in Huanggang, a city in the Hubei province of China. Nine families were organized into a group, each of which had adopted a child from China, and each of which was matched with an older child from the orphanage. The relationships grew quickly through frequent and personal communication, reaching a point where the older children became important members of the families. The older children living in China were able to provide the cultural connection and sibling relationship that the adopted child living in America needed.

"The One-Plus-One program has turned out better than any of us could have imagined," says Filis Casey, founder and executive director of Alliance for Children. "What better way for a child to remain connected with their heritage than to provide them with an older sibling living in the country where they were born? And as the older child becomes a virtual member of the family, he or she gains the love and feelings of belonging so crucial in a young person's life. We are tremendously pleased that this program has been so successful."

Although the One-Plus-One relationship is not a legally binding adoption, it is recognized by the local provincial governments in China, and is designed to create an enduring, lifelong connection between the parties. The relationship is completely voluntary for both the child living abroad and the family. There is no financial payment necessary to become a One-Plus-One family, although it is common to give money for the child's educational and/or medical needs. In addition, the Alliance for Children welcomes families who have adopted through other agencies to participate in the One-Plus-One program.

"We are very grateful to the Alliance for Children for bringing {Insert name of orphan} into our family," remarks {Enter parent of One-Plus-One family}. We exchange letters and pictures with {him/her} on a regular basis. The One-Plus-One program is so wonderful because it helps {Enter name of adoptee} to maintain a connection to {his/her} Chinese heritage while providing {Enter name of orphan} with a loving and caring family which {he/she} has become an important part of."

"My wife and I designed the One-Plus-One program when we saw families struggling to instill in their child a strong connection with their heritage," explains Weihhang Chen, Director of the China Program at Alliance for Children. "Visiting China was usually too expensive, and books and photographs aren't an adequate substitute. At the same time, we saw many older children at the orphanages in China lacking the sense of personal belonging and love that comes with being part of a family. It was a natural connection," continues Chen.

The Alliance for Children is a private nonprofit adoption agency licensed since 1974 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of Rhode Island. For the past 25 years, the organization has been placing children from the United States and around the world in permanent adoptive homes. The agency provides complete adoption services to applicants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and placement services to applicants throughout the United States.

On Sunday, June 4, 2000, the Alliance for Children will be holding their 25th anniversary celebration and outdoor picnic at the Blue Hill Reservation in Milton, Mass. The event offers the opportunity for families who have adopted or are considering international adoption to share their experiences and for the children to interact with one another. For more information about the picnic, the One-Plus-One program or the Alliance for Children, visit the Web site at www.allforchildren.org or call [phone].