URGENT: Call to Action

I received the following letter from my adoption/placing agency from the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) regarding the recent horrific actions of one American family to abandon and send their Russian born child back to Moscow all alone.  They are asking for immediate help from any and all people tied to the adoption community to help save intercountry adoptions.  You do not have to be an adoptive parent just a supporter of adoption to sign the letter to both presidents.  Please sign before tonight so that the letter can be given to the Russian President Medvedev before he lives the US.  There are so many children and parents-to-be lives that are hanging in the balance waiting to become families. Please don't allow this one family's wrongful deed end forever million's of children's dreams to be loved by a mommy and daddy. This is urgent and time sensitive.  Please help.  More info on http://www.jointcouncil.org/

April 12, 2010


We Are The Truth

A Campaign and Call to Action

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by
the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy
has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted
children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has
once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of
intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of
children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.
You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare
professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one
parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families. You know that
families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child. You know that help is
available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. And you know that suspending
adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and
an entire life without a family.
You, the adoption community know the truth. You live the truth. You are the truth.
Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe
family.

What You Can Do:

1) Sign the letter to President Medvedev and President Obama: The letter asks both
Presidents to ensure that intercountry adoption continues uninterrupted and to
aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of children. You can
sign anytime, but doing so before Tuesday night would help us get the letters to both
Presidents before President Medvedev leaves the U.S.  http://www.gopetition.com/online/35485.html

2) We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every
successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the
adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia,
domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!
117 South St Asaph St ' Alexandria, VA 22314 USA ' Tel: +1 703-535-8045 ' www.jointcouncil.org ' jcics@jcics.org

3) Tell Your Truth with Video - make sure the world sees, hears and feels the

thousands of successful adoptions from Russia by:
a. Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption video via email to
alexa.m@jcics.org.
i. Video should be a maximum of 3 minutes.
ii. A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your video.
For a copy of the release, click here.
b. Joint Council will translate the video into Russian and post it on our YouTube
Channel.

4) Tell Your Truth with Words and Photos
a. Send Joint Council your successful Russian adoption story via email to
alexa.m@jcics.org. Send us your stories through:
i. Photos (please do not send more than 10)
ii. Essays (maximum 500 words)
iii. A release must be sent to Joint Council or we cannot accept your story
and/or pictures. For a copy of the release, click here.
b. Joint Council will then compile the stories and pictures, translate them into
Russian and post them on our website and/or blog.

5) Share Your Truth
a. Joint Council will post, forward and share your stories via Facebook, Twitter, and
blogs. Joint Council will be updating our YouTube Channel and Facebook page
as the stories get compiled and translated, please subscribe to us on YouTube,
Twitter and Fan us on Facebook.
b. You do the same by posting on your Facebook, Twitter, blog and website!
Want to help more?
• Are you willing to speak to the media about your Russian adoption? If so, please email
betheanswer@jcics.org with the following:
o Your name(s)
o City, State of residence
o Contact Phone Numbers
o Contact Email
o Short 4 sentence bio about your adoption
• Do you speak Russian?
o We are in need of individual volunteers who can help our staff translate the videos
and text quickly. If you are interested in helping, email Joint Council at
intern@jcics.org.
• Do you live in the Alexandria, VA area?
o Joint Council is in need of short term volunteers over the next two weeks, email
rebeccah@jcics.org if you would like to volunteer.
 
 
117 South St Asaph St ' Alexandria, VA 22314 USA ' Tel: +1 703-535-8045 ' www.jointcouncil.org ' jcics@jcics.org