The Bay Area is home to more than 200 adopted Russian-born children, many of them living in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Adoption Adventure Network which facilitates these adoptions, also arranges American Culture Camps for disadvantaged Russian children, 4 to 10 years old. The organization was founded by David Avilla, who serves as its director.
The network is looking for caring families to host one of the 20 Russian orphans who will arrive March 23 for a three-week camp at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Grant Road. By staying in homes, the children can share life with a typical American family in addition to the organized day camp experience at the church.
During the day the orphans participate in camp activities, including crafts, field trips, picnics and group weekend activities.
Based on previous camps, many of the families who meet the children during their visit will decide to adopt one or more of them. More than 65 children are in the process of being adopted by California families who have participated in the programs over the past 18 months.
“I saw this article in the Town Crier several years ago, and I volunteered to teach English at the day camp,” said Cheryl McClintock from Los Altos Hills. “Interfacing with the children, I fell in love with them and wanted to adopt them even though I have two biological children of my own.” She ended up adopting a boy.
Mary Scharrenberg, another Los Altos Hills resident, had grown children but an empty nest. She volunteered at the camp as an adventure but finished it by adopting two Russian children, Nastia and Sergei, now students at Loyola School.
Both mothers commented, “This is something we never in a million years dreamed we would be doing, but here we are and we love it.”
Susan and Keith Lobo of Los Altos are enthusiastic about the program. After adopting several orphans, Susan said, “Many would-be parents feel hesitant adopting older children because of the perception they’re more difficult to assimilate into families than babies. The program provides extended time for parents to observe that these kids are normal, adaptable and fun.”
Susan studied Russian history and language in college and is the regional chairwoman of Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoptions (FRUA).
David and Kerry Avilla, program coordinators, are the parents of five Russian siblings, 9 to 16. David said “It’s been an incredible adventure and an opportunity to represent God’s love with tremendous personal benefit in the form of family.”
None of the children in the spring program can read, write or speak English, but that doesn’t seem to be a disadvantage.
“It’s amazing how much you can communicate with gestures and movements when they first arrive,” said Scharrenberg. “We have 11 grandchildren they mingle with and what they learn at Loyola School presents no problem in communication.”
One family uses a handheld computer to help translate, but nonverbal signs serve well. Hugs and kisses are universal and the children appreciate and respond to affection.
The adoption process can take up to a year. After a long process of paperwork with the INS (United States Immigration and Naturalization Service), the fun and the cost begins with Russian red tape. McClintock said her adopted children arrived in seven months.
In addition to host families, there is a need for Russian language translators, day camp helpers and donations are always welcome. Housing and hospitality are also needed for three adult escorts who assist with the day camp.
For more information, call (408) 569-4044 or logon to www.adoptionadaventure.com.
