In October 1955, Harry and Bertha Holt adopted eight mixed race children from Korea and brought them home to Oregon. It was a bold and outrageous idea – children of one race and nationality being adopted by parents of another. In 1956, the Holts founded the first organization specifically committed to international adoption. In the 55 years since, Holt International has placed nearly 40,000 children with adoptive families. Tens of thousands of children who otherwise would have grown up in orphanages or on the street have benefited from domestic adoption and family preservation and Holt’s broad range of services for homeless children.
Adoptees for Children (A4C) is an organization of international adult adoptees established in response to the needs of children in Korea who do not have families ~ and do not have a voice to represent them. Adoptees for Children support the principles of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption which states: “Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding, Recalling that each State should take, as a matter of priority, appropriate measures to enable the child to remain in the care of his or her family of origin, Recognizing that intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her state of origin.” Adoptees for Children will provide the perspective beyond that of a single agency. The priorities and expertise of A4C is expansive in terms of life experiences, regions of the country, agency affiliation, and professional capacity to lead the International Forum from the adult adoptee community. The membership of A4C will be the primary resource to support and guide the direction for the International Forum.