by Brenda Reul

Approximately 300 people attended the Louisville Adoption Fair on Sunday, February 6th. FTIA joined several local adoption agencies to present information for families considering adoption or who have already adopted.

FTIA/KY's Waiting Families January Seminar was presented by Kit Tossmann from First Steps. First Steps provides services to children from birth to age three with developmental disabilities and their families. First Steps is administered by the Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs within the Cabinet for Health Services.

Future Waiting Families presentation topics include:

For details about other upcoming meetings, please see our 2005 Informational Seminar Schedule.

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KENTUCKY ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUPS

Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA)

is a support network for adoptive families with children from Russia, Ukraine and neighboring countries with chapters throughout the U.S.

FRUA offers the following services:

Kentucky/FRUA
Heidi Gregg
502-829-0488
hjgregg@mindspring.com

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O.K. Kids (Our Korean Kids)
Julie Wagner
Louisville, KY 40223
502-935-9080

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Families With Children From Vietnam

FCV chapters are organized and managed locally by adoptive families. Local groups may include families who have adopted from other countries as well as Vietnam (for example: groups designating themselves Families with Children from Asia) as long as they have members who have adopted from Vietnam and provide activities for them. Meetings are generally open to prospective adoptive parents, as well.

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Families with Children from China (FCC)

is a nondenominational organization of families who have adopted children from China. The purpose of FCC is to provide a network of support for families who've adopted in China and to provide information to prospective parents.

LOUISVILLE

FCC Monthly Dinner - Monthly dinners are for FCC members, waiting families, and families interested in adopting from China. Contact Cindy Lowe: jclowe@insightbb.com.

Chinese Spring Festival/Chinese New Year Celebration - Saturday, February 19, 2005 - Holy Family Parish Saffin Center - 3926 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, KY - 5:30 pm - ???

Jean MacLeod, Director of Our Chinese Daughters Foundation Institute will present a talk "Returning to China with your Adopted Child" at 4:00 p.m. (This will be before the Chinese New Year Celebration)

Contact: Christine Anderson at 244-9710 or cs.anderson@insightbb.com or Molly Rauh at 228-7008 or creekrats@earthlink.net.

CAPITAL AREA FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM CHINA

Capital FCC is a voluntary organization, founded in 2002, that serves to provide local support for families adopting children from China. This chapter welcomes families living in or near the Kentucky cities of Frankfort, Lawrenceburg, or Versailles.

Contact: Laura Boulden at (502) 223-4501 or leboulden@yahoo.com, www.geocities.com/capitalfcc.

For information about upcoming Latin Family Connection activities and events for parents and children, contact Amy Lincoln at Lincoal@aol.com.

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Entertainment and Cultural Attractions

Ballet Español

Celebrates cultural diversity through programming that includes public performances, community presentations, educational workshops and academy instruction. The only Spanish dance company within a 250-mile radius. (502) 419-9004

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Crane House

hosts lectures, events and exhibits on Chinese and oriental culture as well as cooking classes. Located at 1244 S. 3rd St. Call (502) 635-2240 for more information. Crane House is a private nonprofit Asian cultural resource center in Louisville. Crane House actively promotes cultural understanding among the peoples of the United States and Asia through education. Crane House offers periodic programs for children and their families. These are especially appropriate for families with adopted Asian children to help everyone in the family become aware of Asian cultures. The programs are open to the public and include:

Crane House February Calendar of Events

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India Community Foundation

a Youth Performance Group - E-mail: ambhani@yahoo.com.

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Kentucky Center

Fifth Third World Rhythms Music Series (502) 562-0726 - www.kentuckycenter.org - A series of four annual performances consisting of music and dance from a variety of world cultures. Come early before every performance for the fun-filled Cultural Marketplace, a celebration of arts, crafts, and cultures from all over the globe.

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Latin American Club of Louisville

(502) 423-0306 - E-mail: pjtellez@aaahawk.com - Promote friendship and understanding among people interested in the Latin American heritage, its languages, customs, cultures, countries and the people.

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Louisville International Cultural Center (LICC)

is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and nurturing cross-cultural relationships among people and institutions in the Greater Louisville area and their counterparts in the world.

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Speed Art Museum

2035 South Third Street - Louisville, KY 40208 - (502) 634-2700 - www.speedmuseum.org - Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum with over 12,000 pieces in its permanent collection from around the world.

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Voted as Best Vietnamese Restaurants in the Louisville Area:

1. Vietnam Kitchen
2. Lemongrass Café
3. (tie)
   1. Café Mimosa
   2. Zen Garden

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