The outpouring of support for Haiti that we have seen throughout the blogging community is astounding. Everywhere we turn, it seems, another fundraiser... another campaign for aid... more hope for Haiti.
But what about the hundreds of thousands of orphans amidst the chaos? This is something very close to our hearts. Julie and I have both talked about our friend, Kristen Howerton, on our own blogs over the past week. You see, Kristen was actually in Haiti last week during the earthquake, visiting her son, who her family has been in the process of adopting for years. Like so many others who were nearing the end of this agonizing process, the future is now even more uncertain, as the government buildings processing adoptions have been destroyed. Can you imagine the devastation Kristen felt when she was finally evacuated home... without her son? Heartache.
[Here is a video clip of Diane Sawyer on the orphans in crisis. You can even see her holding the Howertons' son, Kembert (the cutie in the blue shirt), during a visit to his orphanage- Heartline- just after Kristen returned to the US.]
What hope do the families like the Howertons have? There may be an option for getting these kids safely home under humanitarian parole.
The next mission of Project 320 is to desperately spread awareness about humanitarian parole. We are so thankful for YOU, part of our amazing team of supporters & prayer warriors. We can potentially make a huge impact here, and here is exactly how YOU can help- RIGHT NOW! All it will take is a bit of your time. We can all afford to give a few moments of our time. Please help us spread the word in any way you possible can! Thank you, friends.
{most of the following taken directly from Kristen's blog...}
We need to make some noise to get our congressman and senators working on this. Please use any contact you have with immigration, attorneys, press, or anyone who might have influence to get our story out there and put pressure on the state department to intervene. The points are outlined below, followed by the contact info for some of our government officials. If you know of others, feel free to pass this along.
THE ISSUE:
The government buildings that were processing adoptions were demolished. Many government workers are feared dead. Orphans in Haiti are in grave danger, and yet have willing families in the US who can care for them. Children in orphanages are homeless. They are at risk of looting and robbery. Everyone in Haiti is at risk of food and water shortages and air-born disease due to the current situation. The local caregivers are focused on their own families, so the orphanage is short-staffed. Supplies are running low. The situation is desperate.
THE SOLUTION:
THE SOLUTION IS HUMANITARIAN PAROLE FOR ADOPTIVE CHILDREN. These children have willing families to care for them and can be brought to the US for care. While granting a humanitarian parole is outside the normal procedures, the United States government has granted them in the past (e.g. Cambodia and Romania).
THIS IS NOT AN EXPEDITED ADOPTION. The adoption process is now completely incapacitated, but when it resumes the United States seeks to honor the adoption process established in Haiti. This is a humanitarian effort to care for these kids, and the adoption will be processed using the usual procedure at a later time.
THE BENEFITS:
Humanitarian parole for adoptive children benefits everyone involved. The kids are moved to safety. There is no cost to the government because these children have families ready to care for them. This frees up the orphanages in Haiti to care for more children. It does not circumvent the already established adoption process. It is ethical and compassionate.
Here are some people to contact:
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0505
202-224-3553
202-224-0454
http://boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm
Twitter: @Barbara_Boxer
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-0504
202-224-3841
202-228-3954
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/ index.cfm?
FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/
The Honorable Dana Rohrabacher
United States House of Representatives
2300 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0546
202-225-2415
202-225-0145
http://rohrabacher.house.gov/Contact/Zip.htm
http://rohrabacher.house.gov/
Voice: 714-960-6483
FAX: 714-960-7806
Clinton Foundation
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/about-the-clinton-foundation/contact-us/contact-form
Raymond Joseph Haitian
Ambassador to US
[email protected]
P: 202-332-4090
F: 202-745-7215
Kenneth H Merten
US Ambassador to Haiti
Tabarre 41, Blvd 15 Octobre
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
[email protected]
P: 509 22 29 8000
F: 509 22 29 8028
Hilary Clinton/Dept of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Main Switchboard: 202-647-4000
{The Howertons' story...}
{better grab your box of tissues before watching this...}
