Features | The Upside of Downs
Reece's Rainbow The Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry is a Maryland-based 501c3 charitable organization which promotes the international adoption and rescue of children with Down Syndrome specifically.
Andrea Roberts, Executive Director Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry reecesrainbow.org
In the United States, with a declining number of live births, there is actually a waiting list of families hoping to adopt domestically born children with Down Syndrome. In a time when genetic testing and the near elimination of babies with Down Syndrome is staring us in the face, one ministry has spent the last five years saving those children who were blessed enough to be born. By providing funding for adoption grants, Reece's Rainbow makes it possible for hundreds of American and Canadian families to adopt these children out of orphanages and mental institutions worldwide. In only five years, Reece's Rainbow has found "forever families" for more than 450+ orphans with Down Syndrome and other special needs. In places such as the Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, China, Ecuador, India, and many others, there is no place in their societies for people with disabilities. There is little access to prenatal care in these countries, so most mothers are not aware their child has special needs until after they are born. With few resources and very little social acceptance, these children are often abandoned to baby houses, ending 37
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up in adult mental institutions at the age of 4. Each adoptive family who travels plants a seed of truth for adoption officials, orphanage directors, and caregivers alike as to the value, purpose, and potential of these very deserving children. Foreign officials simply can not deny the *movement* that now exists as a result of the efforts of Reece's Rainbow. If more grant funds were available for each waiting child listed with Reece's Rainbow, there would BE no waiting children at Reece's Rainbow! With an average cost of $25,000 to adopt internationally (half of which is in travel costs), money is the only thing standing in the way. Donations from private individuals, businesses, and foundations literally change the course of
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a child's life. In 2010, Reece's Rainbow was presented with the Congressional Angel in Adoption award, and won People Magazine's Hero of the Year contest. Adopting isn't right for every family, but anyone can make a difference with their donations and prayers! Sponsor a waiting child you see on the site. Donate for a family who has already committed but still needs help with funding. Give to the Voice of Hope fund, host a 5k run fundraising event through "One Step Closer to Home", or share Christmas with an orphaned child through the ever popular Christmas Angel Tree Project. Even if you aren't able to donate, you can be a Prayer Warrior for a child as well. There are so many ways to help throughout the year. The need never ends!
"Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down syndrome."