Gladney Blog

I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia a couple of weeks ago to visit with our orphanage partner and ICBF (the Colombian equivalent of our CPS system in the US).  Two very productive days and I’m excited for the future growth in Gladney’s Colombia Adoption program. 

Since we are taking about perfect baby boys and new files and all of those exciting things...

As the new files keep rolling in I am just amazed at all of the files for adorable, precious, baby boys!

Last weekend a huge beautiful event took place in Dallas, Texas to benefit Gladney and children adopted through the Gladney Asia programs. Several Gladney staff members from New York, Illinois, and Texas were able to attend. The One Less Orphan Ice Ball was a warm, fun event that will not soon be forgotten.

We are doing it again! We just can't help ourselves. You are warned. If you have trouble losing your heart to adorable little boys, watch out!

Seriously, y'all! The cuteness on this blog the last few days is unbelievable! And we are at it again today...

A year ago today one of our families met their very special little boy, Dawson, in China. Since then Dawson's parents have been amazing adoption advocates. Thank you Amy and Christopher for your untiring work and support! 

You can read more about precious little Martin here. We have made a collage to make it easy to share his information. Please share and help us find his family! Contact Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org for more information.

1. Auxiliaries were renamed to Gladney Family Associations in 2006 and there are currently 18 GFAs operating around the country! Be sure to join your GFA today. 
2. To meet the needs of working women in Sherman, Mrs. Gladney founded the Sherman Nursery and Kindergarten for Working Women. Thirty-five women enrolled their children on opening day. Check out these old nursery rhymes from that time period.
   
3. The Gladney Fund was created in 1992 as a separate not-for-profit organization devoted to raising funds to support The Gladney Center. In 2008, the fundraising efforts of the organization were integrated back into the Center’s operations in an effort to more closely align programs and development. The Gladney Fund exists today as a separate entity with a nine member Board of Directors tasked with managing Gladney’s Endowment funds.  
4. In 1991, the Board officially renamed the agency The Gladney Center.
5. Edna Gladney’s second legislative battle was in 1951. Mrs. Gladney successfully argued that adopted children should have the same inheritance rights as biological children and that they should be legally adopted rather than placed in a long-term guardianship.
6. While in Cuba for a year-long honeymoon and business trip, Mrs. Gladney experienced a near-fatal tubal pregnancy, which left her unable to conceive other children.  
7. Gladney's current international adoption program began in 1992. Today, the Center maintains programs in  China, Colombia, and Taiwan. Start your adoption journey today by requesting Gladney’s free Adoption Information Packet 
8. A network of regional offices began with the opening of the Houston office in 1988. Gladney currently maintains regional offices located in Austin, Midland and Houston, Texas; Brandon, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; and New York, NY. 
9. Mrs. Gladney's fondness for fancy hats became legendary over time, eventually becoming her trademark. 
10. Edna referred orphaned children to the Texas Children's Home and Aid Society for placement with adoptive families, and joined the board of that organization in 1910.
11. Director Walter Delamarter (1961-1963) established Friends of the Edna Gladney Home Committees, which were later called Auxiliaries and then Gladney Family Associations, or GFAs. 
12. The movie Blossoms in the Dust, the story of Edna Gladney’s life, cost $1.1 million to produce; it grossed $2.65 million in box office ticket sales around the world.

And there you have 12 Gladney adoption facts for August.