Damien and Maria need a forever family

Maria is a bright, affectionate, and joyful young girl who has truly blossomed while living in a loving and stable foster home. With the care and consistency she has received, she has formed strong emotional bonds, especially with her foster mom and siblings. She’s the kind of child who lights up a room with her energy and enthusiasm and jumps into daily routines with a big smile.

She’s growing and developing right on track. Maria loves dancing, playing pretend, and caring for her dolls. Her coordination is excellent, and her language skills are right where they should be—she can easily express how she’s feeling and what she needs. She’s curious and imaginative and is learning to solve little problems through play. She’s also very social, loves being around others, and is becoming more confident and independent with time.

While Maria faced some early challenges, she has responded incredibly well to the structure and affection in her foster home. She’s currently receiving extra support for a few mild behavioral concerns and has been referred to occupational therapy and child counseling. Physically, she’s healthy and active, with no long-term medical concerns.

Maria thrives when life is consistent and full of love. She enjoys spending time outdoors, immersing herself in nature, and participating in playful family moments. Like many kids, she can feel a little anxious when separated from people she loves, but with gentle reassurance, she’s easily comforted and able to move forward with confidence.

Her brother Damian is affectionate, cheerful, and deeply connected to those around him. Since joining his foster home, he’s adapted beautifully and built strong relationships with his caregivers. He’s respectful, responsible, and always ready to lend a hand.

Damian is curious and bright and enjoys being part of a team, whether it’s helping around the house or playing outside. He’s especially close with Maria, and one of his biggest hopes is that they can stay together in a permanent family. He understands that foster care isn’t forever and remains hopeful about finding a home where they can grow up side by side.

Damian loves being active—soccer, swimming, exploring outdoors, and drawing are some of his favorite ways to spend his time. He’s especially happy on nature outings and weekend adventures. He’s also expressed a genuine interest in agriculture and dreams of a future where he works with animals or on a farm.

Emotionally, Damian has made great strides. He responds well to loving guidance and consistent routines. Sometimes he struggles to stay focused during schoolwork, but with patience and gentle redirection, he does well. He’s very in tune with his feelings and has learned to share them in healthy ways.

Damian is physically healthy, with no chronic issues, and he’s up to date on all of his medical care. He continues to receive support from pediatric and mental health professionals as part of his ongoing care.

Maria and Damian are full of love and heart. What they want most is a family who will welcome them together and offer the consistency, warmth, and affection every child deserves. They would thrive in a home that values connection, enjoys the outdoors, and believes in guiding kids with kindness and patience. They’re ready to experience joy, laughter, and so much love with the right family—one that will walk alongside them every step of the way. Could you be their family?

Email colombia@ccaifamily.org to learn more and click here to learn more about CCAI’s Colombia Adoption Program.

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GiGi Pleet

Adoption Program Specialist & Grant Specialist

GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family.  GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives.  GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind.  When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
 
Joined CCAI:  Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
 
Bucket List Item:  To see all Seven Wonders of the World 

Contact Information

gigi@ccaifamily.org

(303) 850-9998 ext. 300

Emily Straut

The Park Administrative Assistant

Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002!  Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”

Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Bucket List: Visit every province in China!

Contact Information

emily@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 170

CO Team Line 4

Ivy Buchanan

The Park Adoptee Program Coordinator

Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.

Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI. 

In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.

Joined CCAI: 2023

Top Bucket List Items:

  • A trail ride through “Middle Earth” in New Zealand
  • Volunteering for a few weeks at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Sleeping in a hammock on a beach

Contact Information

ivy@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 205

CO Team Line 1

Colorado Expenses

ExpenseAmountPmt MethodPay ToDue
Application Fee$250Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIApplication submission
Child Abuse Record Search$35/FamilyCheckCO Dept of Human ServiceApplication submission
IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee$500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAI (Sent to IAAME)After App Approval
First Program Fee (Includes Home Study)$5,700Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIAfter App Approval
CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search$39.50 per personMoney OrderColorado Bureau of InvestigationAfter App Approval
USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting$775 plus $85/adultCheck/Money OrderUS Dept. of Homeland SecurityUpon I-800A submission
Dossier PreparationApprox. $450-$900Check/Money OrderSecretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s)As preparing Dossier
Second Program Fee$5,050Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIDossier Submission
CCCWA Fee$1,270Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIDossier Submission
Third Program Fee$5,500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee$300Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Court Validation Deposit$200CheckCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable)$450Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Visa to enter China$140 (plus courier fee)Check/Credit CardChinese Consulate via a courier/travel agencyApproximately one month before travel to China
US Domestic & International Airfare$1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket)Credit CardA travel agency/airline of your choice

Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure

In China Travel & AccommodationsApprox. $4,000-$4,400 for two adultsACH WithdrawalCCAI (wired to China)Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure
Adoption Registration and Notarization$800 – $1,000CashLocal government in ChinaIn China
Orphanage Donation(Voluntary)Cash or WireOrphanageIn China
Child’s Passport$100-$150CashLocal passport agencyIn China
Food$700 – $800 per coupleCash/Credit CardHotel(s), restaurant(s)In China
Child Physical & Photo$130-$150CashClinicIn Guangzhou, China
Child U.S. Entry Visa$325Cash or CheckU.S. ConsulateIn China
Court Validation Fee$167CheckCounty CourtAfter U.S. Return
Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate$37.75CheckColorado Vital Statistics OfficeAfter U.S. Return
Lutheran Family Services$250CheckLutheran Family Services via CCAIWhen Home Study is approved by CCAI