yet another gentle nudge

I know, I know. I need to get off the soap box all ready, but this is important.

Linh Song, Executive Director of Ethica left this comment on a post yesterday:

Thanks SO much for posting this and supporting our campaign! Ethica made great progress with this initiative and we're currently working on terms for the new MOU. I will also be traveling to Vietnam with the JCICS delegation to encourage adoptions to continue with more accountability and transparency. Don't give up hoping for baby #2 quite just yet!

Linh Song, MSW
Executive Director
Ethica, Inc.

Ethica is a great non-profit that bridges the gap between the various members of the adoption triad and help to insure that adoptions are ethical. Hence, "Ethica". Get it?

They are on the last leg of an important fundraising drive and Linh personally asked me to help spread the word. Every dollar counts, so if you find that all you can spare is a buck, please consider giving up a soda or two and sending the funds Ethica's direction.

What can your money do?

• A $100 donation allows Ethica to administer humanitarian efforts for 1 month.
• A $250 donation allows Ethica to train a state adoption regulator on adoption fraud and the need for adoption consumer protection laws.
• A $500 donation can keep the Ethica phone lines open for 1 year.
• A $1,000 donation can cover Ethica’s office rent for 4 months.

Why does it matter? Well, Linh can probably say it best...

Ethica receives 50-80 inquiries a week from adoption triad members in crisis. Over the past 6 years, we have assisted over 8,000 children and families, often advocating for them with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and state attorney generals. currently we are actively assisting over 200 children and families in the U.S., Guatemala, Vietnam, Liberia, Haiti, and Nepal.

In the United States, in addition to answering many questions and supporting individuals through difficult situations, we have conducted a review of state adoption laws. We have testified in person and in writing on adopted people’s rights to their birth records. We have worked on cases involving the informed consent of first parents.

Our work involves human rights issues such as the trafficking of children into adoption. We have carried out several successful humanitarian aid projects to Liberia and Vietnam.

It is essential that Ethica continue to assist families in crisis and expand our advocacy initiatives. Ethica is the only truly independent adoption advocacy organization doing this vital work. Ethica represents all members of the adoption triad, and has no competing financial interest. To maintain our independence, we do not accept monetary support from anyone who places children for adoption.

Of course, without adequate funding Ethica will have to cut back on their efforts. Once again, from Linh:

We have 3 more days to fundraise in order to meet increasing requests for assistance with Vietnamese, Guatemalan, Liberian, Haitian, and domestic adoptions. Otherwise we'll be unable to continue some of our advocacy work. This includes my upcoming trip to Vietnam and efforts on new MOU terms. Each donation to Ethica goes such a long way to assist families in crisis.

Check under the couch cushions folks. It's time to give a little, or maybe a lot. I made a donation and I hope you do too!