[emptyheart]

I am new to the group but extremely excited to find a support system of people that understand what we are going through. We have struggled through 4 long years on infertility and now are moving to adoption from Russia to make our family complete. We are chomping at the bit to get started and had went to the F.A.C.E. adoption seminar which I highly recommend. Two things I need help on to get started. We have narrowed the search to two agencies that I was wondering if any of you were familiar with. The first is
Adoptions together - Baltimore MD

The second is
Frank Foundation Adoption Agency - Frederick Maryland

I am really liking the sound of the Frank agency and my husband likes Adoptions Together. Can you guys please help us out here?

Also I was wondering if anyone could help us out on options for funding this expensive journey? Any input would really help. Thanks.

[kfin66]

Hi EH,
Have you checked out Yahoo groups? They have a Russian adoption group. Try posting your agency question to them. They are a HUGE resource. Good luck.
Kerry

[Vicar]

Someone I just talked to today had a successful adoption from russia.
Here is his website, he is also selling his services as a website designer, but his daugther's story is there also.

www.dchawkster.com

best wishes,
vicar

[FamilyBound]

Hi There!

We brought home our son from Russia in December 2001, and it was an extremely memorable trip! We used EAC (European Adoptions Consultants) but I have heard some positive things about Frank as well. I haven't heard of the other agency you are talkign about.

If you have ANY questions about the Russian process, please feel free to email me!

[mdmom]

and we're pleased with the experience. Our son came home 2 years ago and we are getting ready to go back for our second child (again using ATI). I'd be happy to discuss any questions you might have about them specifically.

[PBRTN]

My husband and I adopted Christmas 2002. Our daughter has been home 6 months and is doing wonderful. She is 3 yrs old. We had an original referral of a 9 month girl, but had to turn it down due to medical reasons.

Our agency was Commonwealth, which I highly recommend. We looked at several agencies. Frank, EAC, and Commonwealth. We decided on Commonwealth. Also we had contacts that had used Commonwealth and were very pleased.

The Russian adoption process is quick compared to other international countries of adoption. We started our paperwork in April of 2002 and traveled in November 2002. And we were not real aggressive in getting paperwork done.

Our daughter is doing wonderful. She is such a joy in our lives. We are looking forward to returning to Russia next year hopefully to get another little girl.

Best of luck during your journey!

Pbrtn

[2RussianAngels]

April,
We completed the adoption of 2 children (ages 13.5 months and 27 months at time of adoption) in April of this year using the Frank Foundation/FAC for the in-country portion of the process. The people they have in Russia are WONDERFUL -- friendly, efficient, caring, helpful individuals who really know their stuff. We worried about NOTHING while we were in country. I can't imagine completing a Russian adoption with anyone else -- though I have heard wonderful things about EAC and CHI.

Good luck in your journey,
Tamara

PS - By the way, we started the process on October 2, 2002 and were home with our angels on April 12, 2003.