Why Us?

Although A Helping Hand is a Christian, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt ministry, we do not have a formal statement of faith to which we require client adherence. But so that you may know more about "who we are," we provide two articles that will further reveal our heart to you. The first article was written by AHH Founder, Tony Brewer, several years ago and is called The Spirit of Adoption. The second article is a reprint of a short devotional given by Tony's wife, Cindy, at the Bluebank Church of God

The Spirit of Adoption - Tony Brewer
Spiritual Adoption - Cindy Brewer

As one of the leading Chinese adoption agencies in the US, we have worked with thousands of parents and children since our founding. AHH provides thorough adoption education and case management, complete dossier preparation, bilingual staff overseas, comprehensive travel arrangements, and in-country escorting for all of our parents, while maintaining some of the lowest-priced adoption programs in the country.

AHH China Staff: AHH has an office located in Beijing, China that we communicate with on a daily basis.  This office is vital to our parents and to the success of our program. Our bilingual staff will oversee the translation of your documents as well as hand-carry your dossier to the proper Chinese officials. Our staff in China will advocate on your behalf with the CCAA and other China adoption officials. They will also meet you and your family in Beijing and support you every step of the way while you are traveling to be united with your child. Our conviction is to do absolutely everything we can to enable you to place as much focus and attention possible on taking care of your new child.

Orphan Relief: AHH has a vibrant outreach ministry. Some of the other programs we are involved in as an agency involve sending short-term volunteers to orphanages overseas to hold, pray for, play with, stimulate and love parentless children. This may be the only bit of love they get.

We also partner with other individuals and ministries in the countries in which we work to serve and support orphaned children. The opportunities to serve these orphanages are many. Some of the ways we have served in the past include:

• drilling wells to provide running water to remote locations.
• providing desperately needed supplies for the children.
• hiring caregivers to lower the nannies to child ratio so that these children will have better care.
• sponsor training sessions for caregivers so that they will have the necessary skills to care for these special children.
• building and operating schools to serve street children in Cambodia.

AHH Statistics

Adoption Placements per Year

2006-183

2005-187

2004-209

Disruptions

2006- 2

2005- 2

2004- 0

Dissolutions

2006- 0

2005- 1

2004- 1

Percentage of Placements Intact

2006- 98.9%

2005- 98.4%

2004- 99.5%

2. The number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on data for the prior three calendar years: 336

2006- 333

2005- 414

2004- 261 

3. The number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral via the agency or person:

China (Regular Adoption):  The number of Chinese children eligible for adoption through the “regular” process and awaiting adoptive placement via A Helping Hand cannot be provided to clients, as children are referred to our agency only as dossiers from eligible families are submitted.  General statistics for Chinese adoptions are as follows: During the year 2006, 6,493 Immigrant Visas were issued to orphans coming to the United States from China.  This is down from 2005 (7,906) and 2004 (7,044).  (Source: US Dept. of State)  The number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral in China is unknown.

China (Special Needs):  The number of Chinese children eligible for adoption through the special needs program can be provided to clients as lists are received from the CCAA.  Lists of children with special needs are received about three times a year and a Helping Hand has three months to match the children with adoptive parents.  Information on the children that are not matched must be returned to China when that period of time is up.  Generally, the list is comprised of approximately 25-30 children; the exact number is available to clients at any time if they should choose to visit our website or call our office.  China statistics are listed above.

Guatemala:  The number of Guatemalan children eligible for adoption and awaiting adoptive placement via A Helping Hand can be provided to clients, but that number cannot be maintained with any accuracy as it changes from day to day depending on births and waiting lists to accept referrals.  General statistics for Guatemalan adoptions are as follows: During the year 2006, 4,135 Immigrant Visas were issued to orphans coming to the United States from Guatemala.  This is up from 2005 (3,783) and 2004 (3,264).  (Source: US Dept. of State)  The number of children eligible for adoption and awaiting an adoptive placement referral in Guatemala is unknown.