Adoption & Support through Catholic Charities

A unique relationship between an adoptive couple and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is paving the way for families to adopt orphans from Poland through Catholic Charities' international adoption services and Caritas for Children, a non-profit organization.

The association began almost two years ago when Chris and Barbara Hoar, a Milwaukee couple who also do business with Catholic Charities, informed Father Michael Boland of their soon-to-be-fulfilled dream of adopting two children from Poland. In relaying the frustration and learning process they encountered during the three-year-process, the Hoars outlined their plans to create an adoption facilitation program to help others adopt Polish children.

At that time, all adoptions from Poland were being conducted on an independent basis with no official affiliations with either the Polish government or local adoption agencies. As such, prospective adoptive parents either had to enlist the aide of facilitators or tread the waters of international adoption on their own.

Catholic Charities was already making progress with its adoption efforts in Mexico City and Father Boland asked the Hoars if they would be interested in assisting them with a similar effort in Poland. Intrigued with the idea, the Hoars discussed the possibility with the many contacts they had made during their visits to Poland and were able to set up a meeting.

In October 1998, a meeting was held between the Director of the Public Adoption Commission and the Director of the Children's Home, from which the Hoars had adopted their children. At the same time, members of the legal department of the Foreign Ministry met with Father Boland and the Hoars.

During this same period, Poland was revising and expanding the authority permitted to conduct international adoptions. By January 1999, there were three agencies given permission to conduct adoptions out of Poland including the Catholic Adoption Center, a part of the Archdiocese of Warsaw-Praga.

After the development of guidelines for adoptions, an agreement was created whereby Catholic Charities was officially recognized by the Polish authorities. In May, the Catholic Adoption Center began referring Polish children free for adoption to Catholic Charities.

During this time, the Hoars were enjoying their new life as a family. But, they knew their journey wasn't finished. There were too many children in Poland in need of homes. By the same token, they knew there had to be American families who were undertaking the same path of international adoptions and were in need of guidance.

While working with a number of families in the United States to adopt 10 Polish orphans, the Hoars also began to lay the groundwork for Caritas for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of Polish orphans.

As part of its mission, Caritas for Children will serve as a fundraising arm Catholic Charities' Polish adoption efforts. The organization has established a special program in the Chicago area to generate funding through the sale of donated vehicles from private individuals, organizations and corporations. The vehicles, which are re-sold with the proceeds going to the international adoption program and to needs of orphanages, are tax deductible for the benevolent donors.

Caritas for Children is also committed to bettering the lives of children currently residing in Polish orphanages through educational and support programs. Caritas for Children has established a special "Pen Pals from Poland" program to connect teenagers in the United States with children in orphanages in Poland who have a desire to learn English. Additionally, Caritas for Children has plans to finance building a special school in Poland for orphans.

The Adoption Services of Catholic Charitites of the Archdiocese of Chicago has considerable experience with adoptions from Poland and lists contact information. Catholic Charities has always done its best to be the one place a family can go to, when all others would or could not help keep the process doable and affordable.

The Adoption Services of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee provides helpful advice and resources for adoption and a downloadable detailed brochure.

Catholic Charities USA provides a convenient way to locate the Catholic Charities office nearest you.