About Us
Partners for Adoption's Russian adoption program (then known as Adoptions and Aid International) was founded in 1993 by Diana Revutsky, a Russian language teacher who emigrated to the United States from St. Petersburg, Russia in 1979.
In 1993, one of Diana's language students was on trip to complete one of the earlier U.S. adoptions attempted in Russia. When their adoption got stuck, they frantically called the only person they knew who spoke fluent Russian and understood Russian cultural nuances - their language teacher.
At the time, Russian adoption was in its infant stage, and the process was difficult. After several weeks of effort, a huge phone bill, and a lot of cross-cultural diplomacy, Diana was able to help this family complete their adoption.
Upon the family's return to the U.S., her students strongly encouraged Diana to help other families. The following year, she had helped place over 40 Russian children with American families while working from her home office.
Over the years, the agency grew slowly but steadily, opening offices in Texas and California and in 2007, Adoptions and Aid merged with Partners for Adoption, a California nonprofit adoption agency. In 2009, Diana became the Executive Director of the merged agency.
The Russian Adoption program has placed over 1000 children in loving homes over the years.
Our Adoption Philosophy
We believe every child deserves to have a loving family to cherish them.
The majority of the children we have placed in the past (80%) were infants. However, there is a great need for parents to adopt children over five, and we strongly encourage them to do so. Waiting times for adopting older children are also significantly shorter.
Our Commitment to Adoptive Parents
Our program rests on four commitments we make to our parents:
1)
Personal, Individualized Service
Starting an international adoption is the most personal decision parents can make. We work closely with all of our parents to make sure the child they adopt is right for them. We are committed to getting to know them as people, and to work closely with our international coordinators in getting a referral that will complete their family. Diana Revutsky, our Executive Director travels to Russia every year, visiting all of our international programs, orphanages, and countries.
2) Safety
From the moment you step off the plane, we are with you every step of the way. We provide drivers, interpreters, translators, apartments, and coordinators for each city and region. You are never alone.
3) Choice
Our parents are not pressured to accept the first child we refer them. We will work with you to find a child that is right for you.
4) Experience
We have been working in international adoption since 1993, just after Eastern European countries first opened up to International adoption.