"Practically anything you do will be insignificant, but it is important that you do it."
Gandhi

This wonderful quote from the Mahatma sits smack dab in the middle of the home page of an amazing organization and fairly well sums up the soul of the group,
Chances by Choice.

Chances by Choice was founded in late 2002 by Margaret Fleming who has worked in the field of adoption for many years and is the adoptive mother of several HIV/AIDS children. Therefore it seemed natural for her to create an organization reflecting her life experiences and deep commitment to children.

In 2002, only 200 HIV positive children were born in the U.S., down from 2000 in 2001. Therefore, Chances by Choice (CBC) is focusing on children living in countries where stigma and lack of education and resources have created a massive health crisis. Through example and education, Margaret plans to recruit families in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to adopt some of these foreign born children.

When funds are available, financial assistance will be given to CBC families in the form of grants, reduced travel fees and pro bono legal work. CBC will not charge for its services, but will rely on donations, grants and other forms of reimbursement. Margaret plans to provide assistance to make life more bearable for those children who will never find adoptive homes.

Dr. Mark Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Atlanta-based Task Force for Child Survival and Development compares the moral imperative to help stop the AIDS epidemic in Africa, Asia and South America to the era of the Holocaust. He says, "This is the most devastating pandemic to sweep the earth for many centuries," and imagines that future generations will ask us, "What did you do to help?"

Their mission:

Chances by Choice provides support for internationally born children with HIV/AIDS and the families who wish to adopt them.

Their services:

• Locating children around the world who are HIV positive and available for adoption

• Linking prospective adoptive families with reputable, licensed, "source" agencies who will facilitate the placement of these children

• Providing referrals to local families for home study and post-placement services

• Offering in-service programs, advertising campaigns, referrals to medical facilities, etc. to dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV and encourage persons to consider adopting HIV positive children

• Providing education regarding HIV/AIDS and international adoption to prospective adoptive families

• When funds are available, providing grants to qualified adoptive families to assist with the costs of adoption

• Providing ongoing support and education to families who adopt HIV positive children

What a wonderful example of people making the world better one child at a time. I strongly urge everyone to visit their site, and to consider a donation to help these people continue their work.

If you're in the Chicago area, a fundraiser for Changes by Choice takes place on May 11 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Tickets for the "Second Annual Reality of Hope" event can be purchased on line at www.chancesbychoise.org.

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intladoptionblog@adoptionmail.com