Adoption agency's bankruptcy strands families

The anticipation of parenthood has turned into a frustrating search for answers for hundreds of Canadian families tonight. They were waiting to adopt children from Africa when the agency they were dealing with suddenly closed its doors and declared bankruptcy. Now the owners are gone, the children are in limbo and waiting parents are heartbroken.

CTV Calgary: Chris Epp with a shaken family waiting to adopt

Calgary woman loses $12 thousand after an adoption agency goes bust in Kitchener.

CTV News Channel: Nicole Lampa on how the families feel

Many families began hearing about problems with the agency last week, but only found out about the bankruptcy on Monday night. The accounting firm handling the bankruptcy would not specify whether any families would be reimbursed.

A A | Print |

| Comments (55)

Sandie Benitah, ctvtoronto.ca

Date: Tuesday Jul. 14, 2009 8:22 PM ET

An Ontario agency specializing in adoptions from Africa has gone bankrupt, leaving scores of families across Canada disappointed and in financial debt.

Kids Link, which operates as the Imagine adoption agency in Cambridge, put up a bankruptcy notice on their website on Monday to inform their roster of more than 200 clients of their financial difficulties.

"The Board of Directors met on Friday, July 10 to discuss the financial situation of Kids Link," said a notice written by Susan E. Taves, the senior vice president of financial recovery company BDO Dunwoody Ltd.

"It was clear that the funds in the bank accounts are not sufficient to service the families in the Kids Link program."

The notice also said that Kids Link affairs would be reviewed and will include some information on St. Anne's Adoption and Global Reach.

Taves said BDO is in contact with the agency's executive director Susan Heyhow and Andrew Morrow with the Global Reach Children's Fund who travelled to Africa on July 13.

The Imagine agency also arranges adoptions for children from Ecuador and Ghana, according to their website.

A call to the agency went unanswered and no answering machine or service was available to leave a message.

'Devastation is huge'

Robyn Bertucci said she has spent the last six years of her life trying to become a mom. The 38-year-old and her husband tried years of fertility treatments before deciding to adopt.

She said she has spent more than $15,000 since signing up with Imagine agency last November.

The last time she made a payment was June 4 and she was told her file was being sent to Ethiopia for referral. Bertucci and her husband were looking to adopt a pair of siblings.

"We were so happy," she told ctvtoronto.ca in a telephone interview from her Burlington home on Tuesday.

"After years of fertility treatments we decided we would adopt because from what we understood, it would be a sure thing -- no more gambling," she said. "We trusted these people with our lives, our dreams...Right now I'm just holding on to hope that this will be fixed. It has to."

Bertucci said that she and her husband can't afford to go through the adoption process again. They had to hold a fundraiser last year to raise enough money to go through the process with the Imagine agency. The entire adoption process costs about $25,000.

"My house is full of things in preparation for these kids," she said. "I have books on Africa, books on transracial adoption and we were planning to take the kids back to Ethiopia when they were older.

"Everyone in our family was so excited," she said. "Everyone was so invested in this. The devastation is huge."

Matt Garside, a parent of two twin boys adopted from Ethiopia, said he was waiting for a court date to adopt his sons' biological younger brother. He has already been to court three times and was in the final steps of the adoption process.

He said he heard rumblings last week that Imagine was in trouble but was shocked when he saw the bankruptcy notice on the organization's website late Monday.

"I, like everyone else, have no idea what's going to happen," he said. "I truly don't want to believe it's the end of the process. How can I really? I don't want to accept it."

He said he feels like the young boy in Africa is a part of his family. He has a picture of him but is refusing to share it with the media.

When he adopted the boy's brothers in 2007, Garside was one of Imagine's first clients. Now, ironically, he is also one of their last.

"We still can't believe this is happening."

Fears for orphanage

The agency runs two orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where children stay until they are paired up with a Canadian family.

Clients of the agency are being urged to contact their provincial representatives and ask them to look into the situation.

An official with Alberta's child and youth services has responded to Imagine's clients by posting a note on a Facebook page created to support the families.

"I wanted to assure you that the Alberta government is currently working with our provincial and federal counterparts to gather information on all options available to families impacted by this closure," said Anne Scully, senior manager with the ministry's adoption and permanency services department.

In the meantime, there are concerns that a bankruptcy filing by Imagine might limit resources at the African orphanages the company runs.

There are already rampant rumours within the adoption community of food shortages and unpaid staff at the facilities. The rumours have not been officially confirmed.

David Cotter, an Imagine client who adopted twin girls from Ethiopia last year, said he will travel to Africa himself if he learns that conditions at the orphanage have suffered because of the bankruptcy.

He said he was saddened by news of the bankruptcy but angry at the agency because of the "poor management" and "poor communication" they showed while he was going through the adoption process.

"If we adopted again there was no way we would have used Imagine," he said.

Staff 'blind-sided'

However, a staff member who worked with Imagine up until they were given notice of the company's closure on Friday evening, said she was proud to work for the agency.

"The goal, the mood and the passion behind our work has always been to do good for the children and to pair them up with good homes here in Canada," she said on condition of anonymity.

She said that staff members were "completely blind-sided" when they were told of the company's closure and that all thoughts were immediately with the families.

"Sure my job is one thing but we thought about the families, I can say that with 125 per cent certainty," she said. "I know that people were very clear, all of us wanted to know what we could do even without getting paid."

She said the company had big plans to expand their support services to families and was looking to help fund a village in Ethiopia with Child Reach. That was the motive behind the executive director's trip to Africa this week.

When she was asked how the executive director could travel to Africa days after the company went bankrupt the staff member said, "I don't understand it at all."

An official with the Waterloo Regional Police fraud department told ctvtoronto.ca that he has received many calls from clients of the agency who are worried that their money was stolen.

"I can tell you it's not a criminal investigation," said Sgt. Robert Zensner. "We are not investigating anyone in the company or anyone linked to the agency."

He said that could change once BDO completes their review of the agency's books.

"If they find any criminality than they would contact us but we have to wait for their review," he said. "At this point, we're hands off."

Comments are now closed for this story

Crystal
said
0 0

This is one of the situations where the government should step in and assist a business. Not only have these families invested their money, it is also their time, their hearts and lives to creating a family. I feel for everyone involved and hope that there is help out there for them.

Roger T
said
0 0

This is NOT TAX PAYERS problem. Those who can afford to adopt abroad are able to afford to take on extra expenses.

I hope the Gov't isn't going to sue tax payers $$$ to bail these agencies out, there are other priorities for the city and Canadians first.

blm
said
0 0

Is there a reason why people have to adopt out side the country. How many children need to be adopted in Canada and is probly a lot cheaper

Alice
said
0 0

What is wrong with adopting from this country? I know I see in the papers everyday, ads from the Children's Aid Society desperately seeking adoptive parents for children that have no hope of having going back to their biological parents nor at this point do they have any hope of a permanent and loving home. We did it and could not be happier with the outcome. I'm sure that there is a great need all across the country for children to be placed in permanent loving families through the Children's Aid Society. Save some of that money you're spending to adopt overseas and spend it on a kid here that really deserves it and needs you!

Toune
said
0 0

it is widely known that Adopting from another country is not only Cheaper but also faster with the process....unfortunately its the kids that are paying for our Countries lack of care for these kids and for the families who want to adopt.

and for the commenter on People who are Rich only adopt...I am in a position of never being able to have my own children and would LOVE to be able to adopt, if the cost was not so high or the process be so lengthy.

Mike Webster
said
0 0

I really have to wonder why we are allowing overseas adoptions to begin with. There are plenty of deserving children already in this country who need a stable and loving permenant home. As far as I'm concerned, we should be looking after those children first and then looking beyond our own borders.

HerbTarkel
said
0 0

RogerT,

I have yet to see a more asinine comment.

People who adopt have often spent tens of thousands on fertility, and then spend another $15000 as in the case of the story on adoption. As stated in the story, the people had to hold a fundraiser. Why? Because they couldn't afford to adopt.

Guy Turcotte
said
0 0

Not to seem cold and distant, but there are kids in Canada that deserve good homes first. Lets take care of our own and then we should help other countries. No government bailout, as a taxpayer I`m tired of bailing out banks and car companies. I feel for the families. I`m proud to be Canadian, lets take care of ourselves first.
Guy

Tara T Moncton N.B.
said
0 0

It sickens me to think that there are familes in the world willing to adopt children that are in need of the necessities in life and the cost is so completely bizzare to me.But yet there is are programs showing on the television of starving sick children the need "our" help. " I dont get it"!!!! There are willing familes to take care of the poor inocent chilren , with love ... People willing to take on that resposibility but the costs to do that sickens me EVEN MORE!!! Disqusting Really!

HerbTarkel
said
0 0

blm,

People adopt outside the country for a number of reasons:

1. Wait times. Canadian adoptions can take 5-10 years.

2. Health of baby. Canadian adoptions through the provincial systems often involve fetal drug and alcohol abuse problems, while foreign babies are generally born into poverty and have a better shot at life.

3. Cost. Provincial babies are free, while many Canadian adopt in Canada babies do cost - $10000 or more. So the cost isn't a real factor.

Nancy
said
0 0

It's interesting to hear the comments from people who read a story and know NOTHING about adoption.

BLM: International adoption for us is a last resort. My local CAS told me because I was white and single they wouldn't accept me...and the waiting time was 7 years.

Roger: People who adopt internationally are NOT wealthy. Most of us go into BIG debt to finance our families.

And it's not about the money, trust me. I was a client of Imagine and my daughter is home safely now, but people's lives have been ruined by this bankruptcy. Ruined. You can't imagine the pain and devastation this one bankruptcy has caused. I do believe the government will step in and do something.

Peace,
Nancy

Eric
said
0 0

Hi everyone,
Very sad day for the families!!! The gov't could help by simply processing the files and moving the children through the system. Speaking from experience the audit that happens to families is unbelievable and if all parents had to do this process to have children. Trust me they would not... Gov't should not bail out but possibly process the current files. "BLM" it is not as simple as adopt only Canadian children. The rules are the same and some times it is even more money. Their is not a significant difference once the Domestic lawyers get involved etc... I am extremely saddened for the families and the Children!!!

mom24
said
0 0

Roger T...I think that the major concern we have is for the 53 babies and children that have been left stranded without food and supplies in the orphanage funded by Imagine...

cmm
said
0 0

To Roger T..........you really should educate yourself about adoption before you make a blanket statement like that!

there are many many families (mine is one) that form their family through international adoption and we sure can't afford the costs involved.

But because the red tape and time line to adopt in Canada is so long (like 8 years) we go to International Adoption.

We give up LOTS of material things to do this.....like not having a second car, like not taking any vacations, like taking out loans, like never eating in restaurants..........

it is not the Tax payers problem to bail out GM either but the government did!!!

But this is not about whose problem this is.........it is about the children!!

it is about couples that want so badly to be parents that their hearts are breaking and they have invested lots of money and time and now are at an awful place.

Right now in Ethiopia there are children.....already referred to Canadian families that are caught in this awful situation.
There is no money to buy supplies and food they need to survive.
There is no one to pay the nannies that give their hearts/souls to care for these children as if they were their own children.

We need to stop talking about whose problem it is and help these children!!

Mom to 2 children adopted from Ethiopia

Adoptive Mom
said
0 0

To all of the people advocating domestic adoption, I'm assuming you have adopted at least one of these needy children each? We tried to adopt domestically and have never encountered such bureaucratic incompetence. Until you have walked this path, you can't possibly know the factors involved in deciding on where and how to adopt.

Roger T
said
0 0

HerbTarkel
RogerT,

people who adopt have often spent tens of thousands on fertility, and then spend another $15000 as in the case of the story on adoption. As stated in the story, the people had to hold a fundraiser. Why? Because they couldn't afford to adopt. ....
If you can't afford it, than don't adopt. It's no different than having your own child now a days. You don't go out of your way to help others or the world when you can't afford to take car of your own expenses within your own realm, if you step out of that realm don't expect others to feel sorry for you.
YES, doing good is one thing WHEN you have the money but when you're a ordinary citizen who is tyring to live a normal life than you're not in good shape to adopt.
Leave that to Angelina, Madonna and now Brüno. Yes, they can afford to have one, it's like having a toy and showing it off for the world to see - how poor Africa is, taking their celebraty status higher. It's all self interest for these celebraties.

Jenn
said
0 0

First I am an adoptive parent through a local Children's Aid Society.

I must first say that parenting is not a right. No where is it guaranteed that we have the right to parent. It is a gift, pure and simple. Some are given the gift, some are not.

I am infertile. I accepted this in my life, after much grieving.

When choosing to adopt, I did look at all the options. If you do research on adoption, especially private and international, you will be shocked at the amount of poor ethics, and marginalization of birth parents there is. You will also see that international adoption is NOT the answer, it is buying a baby to meet he parents needs. Adoption is about meeting children's needs.

Yes, the children from the orhpanage are certainly without parents, or, more often, have been put there because parents cannot afford to raise them. Buying a child is not hte answer, and will never help the problem.

We have children here who are waiting for families as well. People may not get to raise a baby, again, it is about finding a home for children, NOT for families.

I have never been more happy in my life than when I became a parent. But I am proud of how I did it, know it was ethical, and can use the $15000plus on my home and on raising my three (yep, I adopted three at once) children.

The bankrupcy of this agency only once again shows that the agencies are in it for the money, not the children.

Leah
said
0 0

As the sister of one of the families who is currently affected by this tragedy - I would like to clear up a grave misunderstanding. There are NOT a bunch of children in Canada waiting to be adopted - If there were my sister would have been more than elated to adopt one. These are obviously the comments of people who have not tried to adopt.

What there IS in Canada is literally THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of children in foster care who are not eligible for adoption - if you can find a way to change that, please feel free - my sister would be the first to sign up. Before deciding to go to Africa my sister and her husband had already waited 2 years for a domestic adoption that did not happen. They were tired of waiting and felt that they had a better chance of an adoption overseas. If you know of anyone who has felt the pain of infertility like my sister has I don't think that so many people would be so quick to judge. My sister and her husband have spent their life savings trying to become parents. I think if more people took the time to understand the pain these people are in instead of making it about what it is going to cost THEM I think we would all be better off. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected by this and hope that the government will step in to help. I will personally be writing my MP and I hope that you will too.

Craig from NS
said
0 0

What's wrong with adopting in our own country? I had a friend and his wife who started the process here and ended up going to China to adopt a little girl. Here is what they said to me about the experience.

There were eighteen eligible and qualified couples willing to adopt eighteen available babies. Enter bureaucracy. If eighteen couples adopted eighteen babies, what are the ten government paid employees going to do? It's a slow painful process when someone is protecting their job.

Rebecka
said
0 0

This is a sad day for Imagine Adoption. I can only hope that there was no funny buisness going on. My husband and I have done our manditory training before we start into an agency dealing with over boarder children. Imagines credentials were through the roof. They had been setting up better housing and more food for these needy kids (as far as they let on, and i believe it to be true). I don't appreciate people saying that "we're rich because we can adopt", that is a very provoking comment amung all adopting families. A lot of us are not able to have our own children and choose a means to adopt from a country that you couldn't even imagine the conditions of. These children die on a daily basis from no medication, no food, no family to care for them and not even a mud hut to sleep in. The children of Canada are certainly in need of care, there is no disputing that. However, at a very least we have foster care (I am not promoting leaving them in foster care but it's much better than perishing in the street). When you are unable to have children or in my case able to have children but not able to hold them to full term, your heart aches every time you see children. It is our choice and you must recognise that a child is a child...Canadian,Ethiopian,Chinese,etc. When you feel this kind of anguish you save and save and save, sometimes for years until you can adopt one for your own. As a WORLD we need to stop saying our race or nationality we're of one race and that is the Human Race. Saving a child is saving a child..

HerbTarkel
said
0 0

I find it very telling in the comments those who have been in the adoption system, and those who haven't.

Those who haven't, don't have a bloody clue. They live in world along with RogerT, of fantasy and myth. They must think that Santa and the Stork bring babies at Christmas, and that Mummy and Daddy and the Two Babies live a happy-for-ever-after existence.

Those who have gone through the infertility process and have or haven't adopted, but are aware of the truth, know the pain and the suffering that not being able to raise children brings.

The thousands of kids in Canada can't be adopted. The agencies in Canada charge as much for foreign adoption, but then play the binder game - the mom chooses based on a binder the adoptive parents present. All at exorbitant costs.

There was recently an article on the cbc website that talked about the 30,000 kids in Canada who aren't getting adopted. What a farce. Worst piece of journalistic tripe I have seen in a long time. Zero research, total opinion.

Anyway, those who know, know; those who don't haven't a clue.

Maureen
said
0 0

Becoming a parent takes many paths in today's international society. As a parent who adopted internationally, I understand that intimately. I find the vast majority of people who are willing to "tell" prospective adoptive parents where they should adopt, what child they should adopt, and under what circumstances have never adopted themselves - they are either biological parents or childless. I would not presume to tell a pregnant mother what she should do with her unborn or already born children - therefore, I do not think that others should tell prospective adoptive parents how to build their family. I have a good friend affected by this situation and my heart is breaking for her - I pray that a quick resolution is found for at least those children already in care in international homes funded by this group and for those kids whose legal papers have been processed and are waiting to meet their parents.

Cog
said
0 0

Wow. What an astonishing array of ill-informed and judgemental observations.
It is pretty convenient for those who have been able to give birth to cast critical comments about the serious life choices of others not so fortunate.
But maybe this is an opportunity for some education. I know no one in the international adoption world who did it for "celebrity status" or to show how noble they are in helping the poor. They do it because they want a family, just the same as those who work at it strategically in their bedrooms because they want a family.
The choice as to where and how to adopt is complex and takes into account a whole host of issues. Length of time, age of parents, age of children, cost, ability to take on special needs, availability of children. Rare is the person who makes that decision whimsically or irresponsibly.
With respect to the casually insensitive comments exhorting people to just get a local child, take a look at what's involved before you comment. Do you really think that people would drop 15-60k (depending on the country) if local children were readily available? Think about it.
And finally, regardless of your personal views on international adoption, can we not demonstrate some basic decency and respect to those couples who are now seeing their dreams shattered? The pain that they are experiencing, particularly for those who have been matched with a child, is no different than someone who has experienced a late term miscarriage. Is your need to dump on their choices really more important than their very real pain, fear and loss?
Please show some compassion and sensitivity.

Kirsten
said
0 0

It never fails to amaze me how crazy some of the misconceptions about domestic and international adoption are. My husband and I would love to adopt through our provincial authority (and have applied) and they don’t return our phone calls because there are already so many great families ahead of us. We are open to all sorts of different children and we could provide a very loving stable home….however, we still aren’t even close to the front of the line . Waiting 7 – 11 years with no guarantee is not necessarily a viable option for all couples. Every year there is a decrease in the number of domestic adoptions being processed, who is to say those wait times won’t increase. In most cases you will find the choice of international adoption has less to do with wealth and more to do with it being the only viable non-traditional option to make a family. It’s amazing what you can learn to live without when you want a family and this seems like the only way it will happen. What I find particularly interesting about this article is how some fellow commenter’s have made the prospective adoptive parents the villain, not the agency that mishandled their hard saved money. Some almost seem to say that by choosing to adopt abroad, they had it coming. They need to walk a day in shoes of some of these families. All I can think of is the complete loss of hope for some families and the intense emotional and financial strain on others.

Island Guy
said
0 0

Lets clear up a few points people made, my wife and I are fertility challenged and therefore turned to adoption, someone wrote 5-10 year wait to adopt in canada, I call bs we started process 6 months ago and are now nearing completion, if you adopt in canada yes they are apprehended children and therefore in foster care, that does NOT make adoption any harder. if child is pre verbal you visit them for 7-10 days then take them home if verbal age you visit them about 10 different times then take them home. so all those people saying its too hard to adopt in canada get a reality check. Just be open with the adoption worker and it runs real smooth. Plenty of kids in canada to adopt. and adoption through ministry is FREE. dosent cost a penny all you do is Take a course and do a homestudy then wait for profiles to look through and choose.

KB
said
0 0

Regarding ALL the rude comments about where people should be adopting from and how much international adoptions cost....YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT PEOPLE!!! An agency has just ripped people off and stomped on their hearts-they are the ones that have done wrong NOT the families so get a life! If you set foot in a Third World country, trust me you wouldn't want to come back without a little one either....

Pissed
said
0 0

What I love about this discussion above is the fact that people like Roger T can actually believe that the value of one child is more than the value of another based on where they were born. Who are you? You must think that your comments are valuable yourself. News for you - they are not. You are ignorant. DO some research, then get back to us. You have NOOOOOO IDEA. Shut up now. You make me sick.

Robin
said
0 0

Children are children no matter where they are born and all deserve to be loved and cared for. These people who are willing to adopt from anywhere are saints, in my opinion. Yes, the government should step in. Babies are more worthy than cars!

EKA
said
0 0

Incredible!
Most people facing infertility wanting to adopt are so desperate to have a child of their own to share their love will pay and do anything to have one (whether it be local or foreign).
And until you are faced with infertility you have no right to condemn the families that adopt from afar.

I feel terribly sad for the familes that have lost their life savings to have a family of their own.

jiulu-international adopting parant
said
0 0

To Jenn,

from where you draw a conclusion that international adoption is "buying a baby"? the cost is to cover the home study (a few thousands), provincial government approval, cost of non-profit adoption agency operation, donation to the orphanize to cover their cost, traval expense etc.

Maybe you were lucky for not having to wait a few years to finalize your domestic adoption, but to most people it will take too long so they have to prepare to retire beyond 65 to support the kids.

Just in case that you may think that adoption and foster family are same thing, no, they are not. foster children can return to their birth parents when situation change, that will break foster parents heart after attachment and bond were built from both children and foster parents side.

Sarah
said
0 0

For those who are saying that people who can afford to adopt abroad can adfford to pay extra expenses, shame on you. You obviously have not suffered the desire to be a parent and perhaps gone through unsuccessful fertility treatments. It is not a question of "affording" but doing what ever it takes to form a loving family, regardless of expense. Some people blow money on flashy cars, homes etc. Adoption is expensive period. A private adoption in Canada costs $17,000 so why do you think people who adopt internationally are rich? Absolutely rich in unconditional love but not necessarily monetarily. For those questioning why we choose to adopt outside of Canada, the answer is simple. There are not many children available for adoption in a country as wealthy as Canada. For every child available here there are 8 couples waiting. In third world countries there are millions of orphaned children. In an over populated world where 2/3 live in extreme poverty, I find it insensitive, callous and ignorant to write of these families willing to bring children into their homes as rich write-offs. Never mind the children who will lose out on the much deserved chance to have a better life! I suggest you become more informed, less self absorbed.

Jo
said
0 0

Children available through the CAS usually have very special needs (i.e. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Drug additon etc). Before someone asks why aren't these children being adopted, ask yourself if you would willingly take on that kind of responsibility? No one prays to have an unhealthy child so I find it unfair when society expects all adopted parents to be martyrs and take on the hardest to care for children. Regardless, if you choose to adopt a child privately or through the CAS it can take several years. It is a personal choice to expand ones family and whether to adopt from Canada or abroad is a personal decision too.

Roger T
said
0 0

HerbTarkel
I find it very telling in the comments those who have been in the adoption system, and those who haven't.....

cmm
To Roger T..........you really should educate yourself about adoption before you make a blanket statement like that!.....

The point is that, I and some of us DON'T CARE about adopting and it really doesn't matter if it's for the good or bad sake. Those who do gret long live you and your family, those who don't care to adopt let it be and live without children. We are not all Michael Jackson followers who live on Neverland but yet live freely to roam and have the chance to experience life without interference.

So whichever you choose, it's no ones problem but just don't burden tax payers by telling or asking the Gov't to give those agencies money to operate. The city is broke and is looking like a dump.

Waitingforfamily
said
0 0

I am always shocked by the lack of knowledge from the general population when commenting on stories they know nothing about.

As a couple who are infertile, we looked at all avenues before we decided to build our family internationally.

We discussed domestic adoption with our homestudy worker and were told that we would likely have to wait 6-10 years to adopt domestically. For those of you who don't know, you can't just adopt from any province in the Canada..it has to be from within your own province of residence.

Then you have to submit an approved dossier to your Province which is than, along with hundreds of other families, given to prospective birth parents to chose from. You may get chosen in a month or might never get chosen.

Why do people always critize those who make educated decisions regarding what is best for building their families in the snap of a finger.

Children all over the world need homes...borders shouldn't matter...shame on you people who see only one side of things and haven't yet realized we live in a global village.

Michelle
said
0 0

We're seven months and four days in our adoption process with Imagine. We did extensive research to make sure this was our best option. I find it interesting that people who have never adopted nor ever will feel they have a right to judge our choices.

Michelle
said
0 0

People with love in their hearts are trying to bring a child into their lives and people can somehow find fault with that and completely lack empathy for their situation? Unbelievable.

PW
said
0 0

I have friends who've been just crushed by this. It is so sad that people who truly want to help the impoverished cannot because of bureaucratic nonsense and possibly unscrupulous business practices.

Cal
said
0 0

Adoption, whether it's from Canada or another country, is a beautiful thing. There are so many children in need of loving homes. Attacking or judging someone because they choose to adopt from Africa instead of Canada is ridiculous... it's not like these people are doing something that is highly irresponsible like the Octomom and having a ton of kids when the world is overpopulated. *This* story should be given much more media attention.

Layton in Moncton
said
0 0

This really is a sad story and one that should serve as a reminder that there ARE businesses who should receive government aid. Not big banks or huge multinationals, but businesses who's goal is to actually help people. You remember what they are right? People I mean. They're the things you see on television, or if you occasionally leave the house, you may see them on the streets.
They look a lot like you. They have dreams like you and I, some of them may dream to enrich their lives with a child. And since it's so damned hard to adopt from here, why not serve two greater goods and adopt a child from some of the dirtiest nastiest toilets on Earth? THAT is an investment for government aid. But perhaps once our government says, 'No' and they would, Madonna and Angelina Jolie will bail them out.

PJ
said
0 0

A lot of ignorant, misinformed comments here. For starters, the "thousands" of children waiting for adoption in Canada don't exist, at least not the way people seem to think they do. For starters, they come with strings attached, things like continued contact with the drug addicted and abusive homes they came from, and many have serious special needs. And then the social workers want you to share their heritage, and children wait for years because they won't let a white couple adopt an aboriginal child. If you apply for a baby adoption you have a 16 year old girl, who has already made some poor decisions, choosing the adoptive parents of her child based on pictures and portfolio. It's no fun trying to sell yourself as a good parent to a teenager.

When we wanted to adopt we decided we wanted what everyone else wanted: A healthy child. Sorry if I'm a mean person but if the sanctimonious posters previous haven't adopted a fetal alcohol baby why do I have to? We adopted a little boy from outside of Canada and we did so because it was what we had to do in order to have a normal family. Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it's none of anyone's business where or how as long as it follows the law.

More free enterprise corruption.
said
0 0

Entrepreneurs are only in it for themselves.

Ben
said
0 0

Good Afternoon;

I happen to be, along with my wife, one of the families caught up in this bankruptcy.

Should we use tax payer money to assist us, yes. Why, I am a taxpayer like everybody else. This is a government licenced agency. GM, Ford and Chrysler were given money. I pay more than my fair share of taxes, and accept little in return from our government.

Why adopt overseas instead of here in Canada or Ontario. Because we were also going to do that as well and still are going to do so.

Lucie
said
0 0

Does anyone knows more on this story? A dear friend of mine learned about this because of CTV, she has heard NOTHING from the agency. Will she still have her child?

My heart is breaking for all the families affected :(

And to all the posters criticizing their choice to adopt overseas, have you tried yourself in Canada? The waiting time for a baby is almost 10 years!!! That is why we burden ourselves with a huge debt...to have a baby craddled in our arms faster.

You can call us whatever you wish, but there is nothing worse for a woman wishing to be a mother to be told she'll have to wait 10 years to craddle her own child in her arms. This is why we go overseas.

Christine
said
0 0

I was utterly sickened and devastated for the families involved with Imagine Adoption when I heard the news about their bankruptcy yesterday. Now, I am even more sickened and devastated by some of the comments left on this website.

Adoption is an incredible way to bring together families. And that wonderful journey is being questioned and judged by individuals that know little about the motivations and choices involved with adoption decision-making.

It upsets me to think that my children will grow up in a country with such narrow-minded, ill-informed people.

Jen
said
0 0

It is obvious after reding these comments who is involved in the world of adoption and who is not. As an adoptive mom I have heard many times the statements and questions surrounding why we chose to adopt internationally rather than from the Canadian system. This question for the most part is one of ignorance.

For those of you so dedicated to the plight of Canadian children without families, I ask you-how many children have you adopted from the Canadian foster care system? How much time and money to you devote each year to these kids? I am pretty sure the answer would surprise none of us when we hear that you have done nothing.

A child's life is no more significant in Canada than it is in Africa, Haiti, Asia, etc...The color of their skin, the place of their birth, their family history, etc doesn't make any one child more deserving of a family than another.

I suggest to those of you that are so blissfully unaware of the conditions children live in all over our planet, spend less time throwing around your uneducated opinions and more time making a difference.

rc
said
0 0

Why when it comes to adoption people always focus on Africa? There are other poor but deserving children other than those from Africa such as Europe or even Asia. If you really want to adopt, there are children other than Africa. Just a thought.

Cherie
said
0 0

I AM SICK!!
My sister and brother-in-law were one of the many families that are now left devestated and in limbo. They are now without their money (which they too raised through efforts of their own and fundraising ...after spending 20,000+ on fertility treatments)
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, they are without their baby.

Adopting in Canada is a long process, not always a guarantee and can end in much heartbreak as family on either side can come forward within one year of placement.

This agency is actually listed on the Ministry of Children and Youth Services website.....the government should get involved!

Instead of spewing misinformed myopic opinions why not put yourself in their shoes, as well as, the shoes of those poor orphans!!!

ADM Saskatchewan
said
0 0

What a sad time for those couples who were looking forward to completing the adoption process. And for those children who would have loving parents and families.

Lisa
said
0 0

I have found it interesting to read the comments on this story. I notice that there are strong feelings both for international and for local adoption. I am an adoptive mother to 3 children who were (previously) in the foster system in Canada and am also the sister of somebody who is awaiting the arrival of her children from Ethiopia (through Imagine Adoption). In my experience, it has not been difficult nor expensive (it was free) to adopt children from Canada. Perhaps it is different in various provinces. In my province, British Columbia, there are over a thousand children who are currently in foster care and are awaiting adoption. In our experience, we were treated wonderfully by the adoption professionals in our community, we were supported in every way and we were certainly not charged any money. In fact, we are able to access funds for various needs that our children may have in the future. Our children were not infants when we adopted them. However, we cannot be more happy with our children. They are wonderful, happy and beautiful children that just needed a family. My own experience with local adoption is just one, however. It is not fair, nor possible, to place our own adoption philosophies and rationales onto those around us. Many people are drawn to international adoption for a variety of reasons; and that is just fine. I totally support my sister in her plan to adopt internationally and am so excited to meet her new children. Wherever they live and whatever their circumstances, all children need families. I hope that the Imagine situation won't prevent some from getting theirs.

MV
said
0 0

Adoptive families are not rich. My husband and are are 28 and 30 years of age, and had decided to adopt internationally through Imagine adoption because we wanted to make a difference in the world, even if only in the life of one child. We have no known fertility issues and had decided to adopt before trying to have any biological children. We rent a two-bedroom apartment and have one modest car. My husband was laid off from his job in February and has been collecting unemployment insurance ever since. Our financial future is anything but certain, but we can certainly provide for a child, once we have one.

In Ontario, when you adopt, it is now mandatory to take a course called PRIDE. We attended that course and believe me we know EVERYTHING there is to know about adoption options in Ontario. The problem with adopting domestically is that it is very rare, and can take a long time to adopt an infant. Yes, of course we feel a HUGE burden for the older children who are in the foster care system. But I don't feel ready at 28 years of age to take on a ten year old (probably with developmental difficulties) with no prior parenting experience.

In the Imagine adoption situation we were luckier than some, having only paid $1500 to Imagine adoption so far. We are now looking into other adoption agencies.

garden fork-man
said
0 0

Hey Roger-T, Im gonna take a guess and say that you are a 40-50 year old loser that lives in your mommies basement in Toronto watching old star trek re-runs with lipstick on? Have i got it right? i think so. You have no clue what you are talking about in regards to the topic of adoption and the process so dont try. Using words like "tax payers money" and "realm" doesn't make you sound smart. Just get off the computer that mommy bought you and get back to collecting and organizing your comics. grow up seriously. This topic is for mature adults.

db
said
0 0

As someone caught in this nightmare I would like to address the comments by people have suggested adopting domestically versus internationally.

First of all, why do people question the way we choose to create our family? Nobody would question someone who decided to have a biological child versus adopting. Have any of you tried adopting domestically? Have any of you been turned down not because you can't give a loving home or afford to raise a child but because you aren't the right race? Guess what, it's happened to us.

Secondly, we are not rich, we have saved and saved to pay for this adoption. And now the money is most likely gone. Our savings are gone. And yes, this was after paying for fertility treatments. It's taken us 4-5 years to be able to rebuild our savings in order to adopt. Now that's gone too. I don't want a handout, I want my funds back.

Please don't judge me or my family when you don't have a CLUE as to what we've been experiencing the past 7.5 years.

Tom
said
0 0

HerbTarkel:

I agree with many of your points except "Provincial babies are free, while many Canadian adopt in Canada babies do cost - $10000 or more. So the cost isn't a real factor."

Adoptive parents do not buy babies, whether they are private domestic or international adoptions, nor do they get babies for free from Children Aid Societies. The costs are for services, necessary paperwork, counselling, legal and travel expenses associated with adoption.

Tom

Keaw
said
0 0

I've adopted internationally, and have a beautiful daughter of African heritage from Chicago. She is the centre of our universe, and has a wonderful Birth Mother, who chose us to be the parents of this lovely child.

Could we have adopted domestically? Yes, and the process would have been very similar to that in the States, although not quite as dependable. The US, compared to Canada, are far more efficient in organizing adoptions so that the child can be adopted at birth, reducing problems that come with lengthy foster care (Canada) or institutionalisation (Russia etc).

Ethiopia is the African country that is able to get foreign parents for their orphaned children in a fairly stable process as well, and is one of the best options if cost (the US is very expensive - the Birth Mother has the right to housing, medical care etc, even if she decides to keep the child after the birth) is too large an issue.

There are families taking out loans to adopt, fund raising, and going without in order to pay for the diverse adoption fees (it's never about one lump sum, but includes travel costs, lawyer costs, home study fees, fees that keep the non-profit organisations running, etc etc)- all because they want to build a family.

Please remember the thousands of European orphans adopted to the US and Canada after WWII, they may not have been as visible, because they were caucasian, but were in a similar situation at that time as other children around the world today.

K and K
said
0 0

I am an adoptive parent of an internationally adopted little girl. I would have loved to adopt locally. However, to all those who say "adopt locally", I was quoted a 13 year wait for a healthy baby. Can you blame adoptive parents from going elsewhere?