Congratulations! We are happy to welcome home 30 children, including 5 sibling groups, and their families so far in 2008.

From Khabarovsk-16
From Krasnoyarsk-2
From Kursk-7
From Novosibirsk-3
From Perm-2

The first few months of 2008 have proven to be very successful for the Russia program. Though we are not even at the half-way point in the year, thirty children have already been adopted through the program, almost the total for 2007. This is a result of the hard work of our Russia and US staff is ensuring that we received accreditation last summer. The best thing about the 2007 accreditation is that it does not have an expiration date. Therefore, we do not anticipate the delays that had become an annual part of that process.

Though the eligibility requirements to adopt in many countries have become increasingly restrictive, Russia continues to be a great option for many families and we have not seen any major changes regarding eligibility.

The program is still challenging in many ways, especially the detailed document requests. A recent change is that many regions are now requiring an 8-doctor medical exam to be done in Moscow or the region. However, our US and Russian staff continue to support families in successfully completing these requirements. We welcome families who have previously adopted to consider returning to the program.
In addition, we continue to expand our work both in adoption and humanitarian aid projects into new regions. Learn about our International Child Welfare work in Russia at our website. Thank you for your support of our work finding families for children in need and providing resources for those children who transition directly from orphanage life to independent living.

Lesnoe Ozero, Concordia Language Village's Russian Language Village
A message from Lara Ravitch, Dean of Lesnoe Ozero: Are you looking for fun, positive ways to expose your children to their Russian (or Ukrainian or Kazakh) heritage? Would you like them to feel good about their background, learn some language, and have authentic Russian cultural experiences like celebrating Maslenitsa (pancake week), playing the balalaika, and going to a banya?

At Lesnoe Ozero, Concordia Language Village's Russian Language Village, we offer a little bit of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan - and more! - in the North Woods of Minnesota. Our one-week, two-week, and four-week programs offer experiential language and cultural immersion for youth ages 7-18, including adoptees, children of Russian immigrants, and those with no Russian heritage but lots of enthusiasm.

Colorado Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families will host a camp for Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian adoptive families from July 24th - July 27th, 2008 at Snow Mountain Ranch in Fraser, CO. Learn more at the website.

If you would be interested in attending or planning a 3-day culture camp for adoptive families in Minnesota, please contact Carol Wahl at 651-255-2266.

Russian Soul is a new Russian Culture organization in the Twin Cities. The Russian Cultural Center "Russian Soul," is collaborating with St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Sunday School to offer Russian Studies classes for adults and children. See the flier here.

Support Group in the Tidewater Area in Virginia
His Embrace is a church-based adoption support ministry for anyone interested in adoption (pre/post adoption regardless of placing agency/country and age of child). The group meets monthly, with an adoptive children's support group and child care. For more information contact Jane- Ann Spencer at (757) 482-9539 or jabspencer@cox.net.

Know of a Russian culture event or group in your area? Send the details to Jill Davidson to have them included in the next issue of Privyet.

You no longer need to live in the Twin Cities to participate in our educational workshops. Family Webinars are web-based education offerings especially for families outside of the Twin Cities area. They are similar topics and formats as our live workshops but allow you to participate in the comfort of your own home or office.

Each webinar will be held on the last Thursday of the month from 11AM CDT to 12PM CDT. Current topics include:

• Talking about the Tough Stuff
• Helping Children with Adoption Related Grief and Loss
• And more at the CHSFS Adoption University.

The Connections Russia Winter Party held on January 19, 2008 was a huge success! On one of the coldest days of the year, families enjoyed a sunny afternoon indoors recalling their adoption trips to all parts of Russia. Notably, the tempature was warmer in Moscow than in Minnesota that day.

This annual event gets bigger and better every year. This year over 400 people attended at the Best Buy headquarters in Richfield, MN. The Silent Auction raised nearly $9500, which will go entirely to the Russian Orphanage Endowment.

Kids of all ages enjoyed an activity room where they could make traditional Russian hats or wooden boxes, play in an airwalk tent, play games like Guitar Hero and others on the Nintendo Wii, do facepainting, play games including bowling and fishing for prizes, buy penny candy, watch a puppet show, and have their picture taken with Father Frost and Snow Princess. Parents must have had tired kids by the end of all that!

Russian culture organizations provided a full afternoon of entertainment with dancing, singing and a balalaika orchestra. Local Russian vendors set up a marketplace area where matrushkas, amber jewelry, Ukrainian egg dying kits, beautiful scarves and other items were for sale. Target Corporation donated snacks and drinks for the event, as well as a gift bag for every child. Bullseye the Target mascot was in attendance as well.

Special thanks to the volunteer parent committee who spent many hours planning and staffing the event, over 50 CHSFS volunteers who staffed the event, and event sponsors Best Buy and Target Corporation for their generous contributions.

A big thank-you to all who attended and donated to make the 2008 Winter Party a terrific success. For those who missed it, we hope to see you next year.

According to Russian law, children adopted from Russia remain Russian citizens until they are 18 years old. If you plan to travel to Russia with your child for any reason, such as another adoption, a birthland tour, etc, the Russian government will expect your child to travel to Russia on their Russian passport.

Your child's Russian passport has an expiration date and may need to be renewed before you travel. The Russian Consulates here in the US can renew the child's passport for a fee. You should also obtain an American passport for your child so that they can easily enter the US when you return home from abroad. Read one Minnesota family's experience with both processes here.

Please note: CHSFS can provide limited assistance for families using the Seattle Consulate due to recent experience with that Consulate. However, the Consulate requirements are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of each family to obtain the necessary forms and instructions from the appropriate Consulate based on the family's residence.

In addition, the Russian government expects adoptive families to alert the nearest Consulate to any change of address until your child turns 18. If you have moved since your adoption, please contact the nearest Consulate to register your new address with them. This registration is a requirement of Russian law. Please contact us at russia@chsfs.org with any questions.

Meet other CHSFS families in your geographic area who have adopted children from Russia.

Minnesota (Rochester Area):
Contact Cassandra Petri at (507) 523-2738 or cpetri@yahoo.com.
Minnesota/Wisconsin (Duluth/Superior Area):
Contact Janine Meister at home: (218)728-4391 (not after 10 PM), cell: (218) 591-9472 or jlmdmeister@aol.com or jlmdmeister@yahoo.com.

Nebraska (Omaha Area):
Contact Deanna or Doug Meier at (402) 334-6709 or deannajmeier@juno.com.

New Jersey (Northern):
Contact Roger Labrie and Kate Tomlinson at (908) 273-8727 or rlabrie311@comcast.net.

Oregon (Portland Area) :
Contact Karen Lindseth at kstrolin@comcast.net.

Stay connected with other CHSFS families who have adopted children from the same region in Russia. Various get-togethers for both children and parents are planned throughout the year.

Ekaterinburg Area: Contact Karen Lindseth at kstrolin@comcast.net.

Irkutsk Region:
Contact Diane Bacon at (763) 479-2331 or at dianebacon247@aol.com.

Khabarovsk Region:
Contact Liz Ferron at (612) 455-2129 (w), (952) 545-0878 (h), or at ferronliz@hotmail.com.

Omsk Region: Contact Betsy & Herb LePlatt at (952) 949-3404 or eherb22@msn.com.
This group just had its first gathering this past fall! Five families who have adopted from the Omsk region got together Friday October 19, 2007 at a Minnetonka, MN hotel. The families enjoyed talking, sharing pictures, building relationships and had fun at the pool. The group met at a hotel to enjoy the poolside and relaxation of getting away for an evening. The group would like to get together again this next summer but does not have details worked out yet.

Orenburg Region:
Contact Jackie Lutmer at (651) 770-9348 or tlutmer@comcast.net.

The Russian Orphanage Endowment is designed to assist Russian orphanages (the same orphanages your kids came from) by providing funding for a variety of long-term, permanent needs. As you are aware, the needs are great, and funding for infrastructure is scarce.

The endowment assists in funding a variety of projects that range in scope and diversity, from basic building improvements to purchasing supplies for medical or educational needs. As an example, donations were used last year to purchase sewing machines and metal-working machinery for vocational training. Now the kids will leave their orphanage with marketable skills to give them a job and a future!

Please consider making a monetary gift to a program that will keep providing for years to come. The Endowment is managed by Children's Home Society & Family Services' International Child Welfare Committee. For more specific information on the endowment, contact Steve Jackson at (612) 927- 4234.