Welcome Home is a program at ICA that brings families together in a unique way. Through the years the program has grown, shifted, and adjusted, but the overall idea remains the same; orphaned children from different countries visit the United States. While here, they are placed with host families for three to six weeks. Upon their arrival, they are lovingly welcomed as treasured guests, shown the sights and landmarks of the United States, taught about the God who made and loves them, all with the ultimate hope of finding them an adoptive family. Over the years, countless children, many of whom were likely to remain orphaned because of their age, have been placed with forever families. Meet the Marinucci family. They adopted one daughter at birth and had always hoped to adopt again. Wife and mom, Laura, recalls the series of events that led to their involvement in Welcome Home: "We were one of the families who benefited from someone else hosting. We were unaware of the program until my best friend’s daughter attended a bible study at the home where the girls were staying. Unexpectedly that same day we received an inheritance check in the mail. I was chatting [...]

To those who have been apart of the adoption process, you know the joys, the frustrations, the challenges, the victories, the commitment...the heart that goes into adopting a child. The commitment to nurture and love a child for a lifetime is no small feat. And it is, perhaps, for that reason, that there is nothing sweeter than an adoption story that comes full circle. Elisia Ginn is a high school student at Santa Rosa Academy in Menifee, California. She is an athlete, passionate about soccer and basketball. She loves dance, and photography. After graduation, she hopes to attend college to become a physical therapist. And she is adopted. In 1998, at two weeks of age, Elisia became a member of the Ginn Family in an adoption orchestrated by ICA. As a junior, Elisia is required to participate in a community service project at her school. Students are given the freedom to choose a project that they find meaningful. For Elisia, the choice was easy, and she made plans meet with Ren Sabio at ICA. Together they decided she would provide humanitarian aid to orphaned children in Mexico by collecting supplies to assemble "Hope Paks." Each "Hope Pak" is comprised of [...]

On March 19th, the Institute for Children's Aid had the privilege of visiting Temecula Preparatory School. Approximately 300 students attended an assembly that aimed to educate students on the reality of child abuse, human trafficking, and the use of children in the production of chocolate. Presenters Dennis Massawe, Chad Dulaney, Destiny Fitzpatrick, Youjay Baird, Doug Verner, Olivia Marsh, Julie Payne, and Laura Marinucci shared on a range of topics that covered, abuse, labor laws, facts, statistics, and, finally, ways that students can make a difference. Many students were surprised to learn that: 1 out of every 3 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18. 1 out of five boys is sexually abused by the age of 18. While human trafficking is often presented as an overseas problem, it happens right here in the United States. Buying Fair Trade chocolate means that protecting children from labor. Students responded to the information presented with great concern. Many expressed a desire to help by adding their name to a volunteer sign up list, and many others expressed a desire to adopt when they are older. The Institute for Children's Aid exists to be a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. [...]

International Christian Adoptions, along with the Institute for Children's Aid, and Calvary Chapel Murrieta are so excited to be able to host the Empowered to Connect Conference via simulcast on April 10th and 11th from 9am-5pm at Calvary Chapel, Murrieta. The Empowered to Connect Conference, led by Dr. Karyn Purvis, was designed as a tool for adoptive, foster, and any and all parents. Its purpose is to help people connect with children in difficult places so that they can heal and become all that God has designed them to be. We at ICA are excited not only to offer people the opportunity to participate in this meaningful event, but to be able to do so locally at an affordable cost! Those who register before April 1st can secure their ticket at the early bird price of $15. Additionally, professionals can earn up to 11 CEU units! Your registration includes a workbook and light snack. We believe that this conference can provide a wealth of practical help for anyone parenting, or working with children. We hope that you will pray about joining us and a community of other people united together for a common purpose! If you have any questions, you can [...]

Last Thursday, March 5, ICA had the privilege of hosting a fundraising showing of The Drop Box Edwards Cinema San Marcos. The event, sponsored by Jeff Crane and Thrivent Financial, was attended by 250 guests. The movie, directed by Brian Ivie, documents the life of Lee Jong-rak, a pastor in Seoul. Pastor Lee, burdened by the number of babies left to die in the streets, builds a box that is attached his home. Mothers are able to anonymously place their babies in the box the engraving: Psalm 27:10: though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Since it's creation in 2009, more than 600 babies have found their way into the drop box. There are currently 165 million orphans in the world, and 500,000 children in foster care in the United states alone. It is the hope of ICA that this movie will raise awareness for the plight of all orphans. Money raised from this fundraiser will benefit ICA's Welcome Home program. Welcome Home brings orphaned children to the United States from Latvia and the Phillipines with the hope of finding them a forever family. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more [...]