Gladney Blog

Diana DeGroot, our Vice President of International Adoption, is a licensed social worker as well as an adoptive, biological and step-mom. Allie (18) and Chase (15) joined her family in 2011 and 2012 as waiting children from China. We asked Diana what she would want to share with those considering adoption. She shared the following:

People often tell me how lucky my adopted child is and I know they mean well. It’s usually their way of saying they see love, stability, and joy in our family. But the truth is far more complicated. 

No child is “lucky” to experience abandonment, loss, or the trauma of being orphaned.

No child chooses that. No child wishes for their first story to begin with grief. So when someone says they’re lucky, I sometimes wish they understood the full picture: adoption starts where something painful has already happened.

What is true, and what still surprises me, is how deeply we, as parents, feel lucky. Lucky that we get to be the safe place. Lucky that we get to help rewrite the story. Lucky that we get to walk beside a child who has already survived more than most adults ever will, and still finds ways to laugh, play, trust, and love.
 
And yes, it’s not always rainbows and unicorns. Adoption brings layers of questions, challenges, identity exploration, and emotional complexity. But facing those things together doesn’t weaken the bond. It strengthens it. The hard moments deepen the love in ways I never could have imagined. They make the connection more intentional, more resilient, more earned.

Being an adoptive parent is the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done.

It shapes everything. It shapes how I see the world, how I show up as a parent, and even how the people around us grow and evolve. The journey may not always be simple, but it is profoundly beautiful.

So when people say my child is lucky, if I don’t feel like wearing my social worker hat that day, I will just smile. The real truth is that we are the lucky ones. We get to be their family. We get to witness their strength, their humor, their healing, their becoming.  We’re the ones who hit the jackpot.

At just 7½ years old, Wren is already full of curiosity, kindness, and some impressive academic flair. She loves reading picture books using her phonics skills, confidently tackles double-digit addition, and is especially proud of learning her 9s multiplication tables (which she would be happy to demonstrate). At the grocery store, she enjoys counting money and takes the job very seriously. But of all the things Wren knows about herself, one rises above the rest: she wants gentle parents.

Adoption is often imagined as a moment, the day everything finally comes together.

Two years after bringing their son home, a Gladney mom returned to his birth country with her family - intent on honoring his story, not rewriting it. What unfolded during a visit to the orphanage he once called home was an unfiltered, deeply human moment she felt compelled to share with Gladney. This experience, offered in her own words, reveals the quiet realities many children know before adoption and the profound weight parents carry when they finally see those realities through their child’s eyes.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is a vibrant city where modern urban life blends seamlessly with rich cultural heritage. Renowned for its spicy cuisine, teahouse culture, and relaxed pace, Chengdu also captivates with historical sites, ancient temples, and bustling markets. The city is famous worldwide for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, offering visitors a chance to observe these beloved animals up close. Chengdu is a perfect destination for families seeking culture, nature, and culinary delights.

At Gladney, we know that the experience of returning to China does not end when the trip concludes. For adoptees and their families, coming home is often the beginning of another important chapter. The memories, emotions, and questions that surface during a homeland journey can continue to shape identity and family connection long after the suitcases are unpacked. 

At Gladney, we believe that adoption is a lifelong journey. For many international adoptees, traveling back to China is one of the most profound steps in that journey. These trips offer the opportunity to experience the culture and heritage of their birth country in a way that is deeply personal and often transformative. 

The Gladney Center for Adoption is honored to announce a remarkable   
opportunity — the very first International Hosting Program ever approved by the   
country of Ecuador. For the first time, Ecuador’s central adoption authority has   
entrusted Gladney to bring a group of waiting children to the United States,   
allowing them to experience life with loving American families. This milestone   
marks an incredible moment in international child advocacy — and you can be a   
part of it.  
For 2–4 weeks this summer, children from Ecuador who are waiting for adoption   
will travel to the U.S. to stay with carefully screened and qualified host families.   
During their time here, the children will experience the warmth of family life,   
participate in fun cultural and community activities, and form meaningful   
connections that may change the course of their lives.  
Hosting is a powerful way to make a tangible impact. For many children, this   
experience becomes the bridge to finding their forever family — whether through   
adoption or by opening new doors for advocacy. Gladney’s team will provide full   
support and guidance every step of the way, ensuring that both children and   
families are well-prepared and supported throughout the journey.  
By welcoming a child into your home, you are not only offering love and stability   
for a few weeks — you are helping to shape their future. Ecuador’s decision to   
launch this historic partnership with Gladney speaks volumes about the trust   
placed in our organization’s experience, compassion, and commitment to ethical   
adoption practices.  
We invite you to join us in making history. Step forward, open your home, and   
become a host family for a child from Ecuador. Together, we can help these   
children experience belonging, hope, and the joy of family.  

Xi’an, one of China’s oldest cities with over 12 million people, was the starting point of the Silk Road and the capital for 13 dynasties. Known for its deep history and cultural heritage, Xi’an is home to the Terra-cotta Warriors, considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. The city also features the Ming-era City Walls, the Drum and Bell Towers, and the vibrant Muslim Street, famous for its street food and cultural blend. Today, Xi’an combines ancient tradition with modern growth, offering families a unique journey to explore history, taste local delicacies, and connect with China’s roots.

Building Partnerships, Creating Futures: Gladney’s Work in Thailand  
At Gladney, we believe every child deserves a loving and caring family. This   
belief has guided our international work for decades — and it continues to inspire   
new partnerships around the world. We are thrilled to share an update on two   
incredible collaborations in Thailand that are helping make this vision a reality.