Local Adoption Agency Celebrates 35 Years of Finding Homes for Korean Babies and Children

NEW YORK, April 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children proudly announces the 35th anniversary of its Korean adoption program. The Manhattan-based nonprofit first began placing children from South Korea through the country's Social Welfare Society (SWS) in 1975. Now one of its most popular and longest-running international adoption programs, Spence-Chapin has found homes for more than 2,600 Korean infants and children with permanent families here in the U.S.

Katharine Legg, Spence-Chapin executive director, commented: "We look forward to a joyous occasion as parents and adoptees come together to celebrate families, reunite with former and current social workers and share their experiences. We will also welcome our colleagues from SWS: President Chang, Sang-Chun; Ms. Sun, Hei Kyoung, director of the international dept.; and Ms. Kang, Shin Hye, director of post-adoption."

To celebrate this milestone, the organization will host "Korea 35: Family Reunion Weekend," open to Spence-Chapin adoptive families. This three-day gathering will take place Friday, April 23 through Sunday, April 24, 2010. Day One will be marked with a benefit reception at the Asia Society and a presentation of the "Spence-Chapin Awards for Excellence in Adoption." Being recognized for their outstanding contributions in advocating for and supporting children in need of adoptive homes are: Sarah Brezavar, founding parent of the Gathering International Families Together (GIFT); Hollee McGinnis, founder of Also-Known-As (aka), an advocacy organization for Korean adoptees; and the Social Welfare Society which will be represented by its president, Mr. Chang, Sang-Chun.

All-day festivities take place on Saturday, April 24 with a wide range of cultural activities, ideal for the entire family. Highlights will include: performances by Korean musicians and storytellers, arts and crafts, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, interactive games, language classes, film screenings and seminars on adoption-related issues. On Sunday, April 25, Spence-Chapin will host a closing brunch for attendees.

From the very beginning, Spence-Chapin and SWS felt a responsibility to connect adoptees to their heritage. Each summer, Spence-Chapin facilitates a "Roots Tour" for families to visit Korea and key historical sites; and a "Summer Internship Program," which funds two young adults adoptees who get to explore Seoul while staying at the SWS Guest House, and help at Ehwa Baby's Reception Center in Naju. Adoptees in both programs can also arrange in advance to learn more about their backgrounds from SWS counselors who have, in some cases, been able to facilitate a reunion with foster parents or birth parents. Here in New York, Spence-Chapin hosts an annual heritage celebration, attended by families with children from Korea, which draws large crowds.

Placing healthy children of parents with Hansen's disease was the first cooperative work with SWS, which then asked the organization to consider finding families for other Korean children in need of homes. This led to the signing of a formal agreement in 1975 by SWS and Spence-Chapin—laying the foundation for the strong relationship that still exists today.

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SOURCE Spence-Chapin Adoption Services