Last winter, MLJ Adoptions reintroduced our Ukraine Hosting Program! We saw tremendous success in the program, both last winter and again this summer. This winter, we will be facilitating another hosting program for children without families from Ukraine to come to the United States and live with a host family for several weeks.
What is the Ukraine Hosting Program?
The Ukraine Hosting Program is part reverse mission trip, part exchange student program, wrapped into several weeks. Children who have been orphaned from Ukraine come to the United States for two to three weeks to live with a host family. While they are in the United States, they are able to participate in normal family activities and experience the love of a family.
What benefits does the hosting program have for a host child?
Children who participate in the Ukraine Hosting Program usually live in orphanages and may not have been exposed to a healthy family structure. The program allows them to see what it looks like for parents to love one another, discipline their children out of love, go to work, and support and nurture their children. Even if the child is not adopted, he or she has a model of a family; this model will hopefully be reproduced with his or her own family someday.
Children who have participated in hosting programs have reported that their host family was the first advocate they ever had in their lives. Orphaned children usually experience low self-worth due to the lack of positive role models, so the opportunity to participate in the program can truly be life-changing for them.
What benefits does the hosting program have for a host family?
The Ukraine Hosting Program presents families with an excellent opportunity to bring a child into their home for a specific period of time. The experience can be beneficial for the children already in the family’s home, giving them the chance to learn about a different culture. It can also open up the eyes of the family to needs surrounding them, both locally and globally.
Families who participate in the Ukraine Hosting Program receive the opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of their hosted child. If the experience goes well, families may decide to pursue adoption, either of an older child from Ukraine or adoption of a younger child from another country. Even if adoption is not an option, and it may not be, families can remain connected with their hosted child.
This winter, your family has the opportunity to open your home and your hearts to a vulnerable child! Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.