The most powerful aspect of Hand In Hand International Adoptions' program is to put the needs of waiting children first in providing loving families for them.
When looking for an adoption agency, we did a lot of research of agencies throughout the U.S. One reason we chose Hand in Hand was it came highly recommended. Another reason is because Hand In Hand did all of the paperwork necessary and knew the laws. On our trip to Guatemala, we met a number of couples that struggled with getting their children because they did not have the correct paperwork finished or done correctly. We never had that issue in our two adoptions because Hand In Hand took care of it for us. We thank Hand In Hand for making our two adoptions go so smoothly. We have been recommending them to other families seeking adoption.
A. S. and K. S. - Indiana Guatemala
We had a wonderful experience with Hand in Hand. [They were] there every step of the way to help us with questions and support us during the wait. All of the paperwork was explained very well, which made that part of the process painless and smooth. We want to thank everyone at Hand in Hand…who helped us bring our little angel home. We are so grateful for the compassionate work they do to keep the adoption process a beautiful and life-changing experience.
G. S. and J. S. - Minnesota Philippines
Hand In Hand is wonderful! Right from the beginning of this amazing journey, we felt that we could trust them to guide us through this very important and miraculous time in our lives. They have taken such good care of us and made the adoption process (which can be such an emotional time) a joyful and beautiful process on the path to becoming parents. We can't thank Hand In Hand enough!
R. M. and P. M - Minnesota China
We] were fortunate to have the opportunity to adopt two beautiful children through Hand In hand, our older daughter from Russia and our younger daughter from Guatemala. We were equally fortunate to have been able to work through the wonderful folks at Hand in Hand, and we will forever be grateful for their support and expertise maneuvering through the maze of both adoption processes.
J. J. and L. J. - Colorado Russia and Guatemala
The Hand In Hand adoption experience is such a personal and caring one! It was of course a life changing event for me. But with the many years of experience that the Hand in Hand staff brings, the process was incredibly smooth. [They] know the intricacies of all the paperwork needed as well as how to tune in to the emotional needs of the parents-to-be. And the in-country [liaisons that work with Hand In Hand] made sure I was accompanied every step to the way in China as I was finishing paperwork, meeting with officials, and meeting my newest family member. They removed the worry so that I could concentrate on getting to know and creating bonds with my beautiful new daughters!
C.M. - Colorado China
Adoption has been a huge blessing to our family. Our extended family has also felt blessed by the addition of our children. It is a continuing joy to incorporate another culture into our lives.
We did three separate adoptions through Hand In Hand in less than three years, so we got to know the agency staff very well. I took comfort in the fact that I was being helped by people who were adoptive parents themselves. They had once had the same fears and anxieties that I had, and they understand how difficult waiting can be.
Adopting from Guatemala is a very uncertain adventure. Hand In Hand works with a fabulous attorney in Guatemala who works very hard on every case. We are happy to recommend them to anyone interested in growing their family through adoption.
J. B. and S. B. - Indiana Guatemala
We can't begin to say how thankful we are for Hand in Hand. We are thrilled to be starting another adoption through them!
M. G. and J. G. - Minnesota Haiti
Hand In Hand is an organized and quality agency who was sensitive to our needs. Their experience made our adoption process enjoyable and excited. We are forever grateful to Hand In Hand and God for placing our daughter with us.
D. T. and B. T. - Minnesota Russia
In a world where the rights of children are an issue, we believe that every child has a right to live and develop in a permanent, nurturing family. However, for many children in the world this is not a reality in understaffed orphanages, where the daily needs of the child are easily overlooked. It is the purpose of Hand In Hand International Adoptions to find permanent families that will provide the necessary emotional and physical care for these deserving children of the world. Hand In Hand also facilitates support for associated orphanages during crises or when there is a critical need. Hand In Hand stands ready with a capable and compassionate staff to assist in the placement of children from newborn to 16 years old, regardless of the child's heritage. Our philosophy is "Cradle to Grave" support for the adopted children and their new, loving parents.
In May of 1974, Mary Lee (Fahrenbrink)Lane was living in the Philippines and recognized the enormous plight of hundreds of abandoned children there who weere unlikely to live even to age five. Due to MaryLee's efforts, a pilot program was established in early 1975 that eventually led to an initial inter-country adoption program with the first 16 children matched for placement by July of that year. MaryLee established a program called Create Responsive Infants By Sharing (CRIBS). Response to and support of this program was enormous and shortly resulted in approximately 350 children being given the chance to be placed in a family.
In 1977, MaryLee returned to the United States where she incorporated internationally as a non-profit entity and received national attention for her efforts for the plight of children. MaryLee continued to work with the Philippines and the name change from CRIBS to HAND IN HAND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS became official.
As the years since 1974 have passed, many new countries around the world have opened their doors for international adoptions and have requested assistance from Hand In Hand. Forty years later, over 9,000 children have been placed through the diligent efforts of a talented and dedicated staff led by the hopes and dreams of MaryLee.
Currently the agency is licensed as a non-profit chilld placement agency in Colorado, Indiana, and Florida with operational offices in Denver, Colorado; Albion, Indiana; and St. Petersburg, Florida. We are licensed to do placements anywhere within the United States.
Organization name
Hand In Hand
other names
CRIBS
1977
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
Hand In Hand International Adoptions 1031 33rd St., Suite 174Other
MaryLee Lane 10602 Rainbow Bridge Dr.Denver County, CO, US
El Paso County, CO, US