About Us

Our Mission is to enable prospective adoptive parent(s) to achieve their dream of adoption as well as to provide nurturing, secure, loving and permanent homes for foreign-born orphans.

Adoption Horizons, Inc. is an intercountry child placement agency, licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services of Ontario under the Intercountry Adoption Act to facilitate adoption from the Russian Federation.

A non-profit organization, the Agency was originally established in 1995 by adoptive parents seeking to assist other prospective adoptive parents in the international adoption process.  In 2001, Adoption Horizons, Inc. became the first Canadian adoption agency to receive full accreditation from the government of the Russian Federation.

Adoption Horizons’ Board of Directors consists of nine dedicated members, all of whom have previously adopted their children through the Agency. Most members of the Board have held their positions for a minimum of seven years.

John Peco, President of the Board of Directors, was one of the Agency’s founders and has served as its President for over 17 years.

Executive Director Irina Zaretsky has held her position since the Agency’s inception in 1995. A native of Moscow, Russia, she is fluent in both English and Russian, and has worked in the adoption field since 1991.

As of January 2012, Adoption Horizons, Inc. has facilitated the placement of more than 700 children from the Russian Federation and republics of the former Soviet Union with Canadian families. In 2011, Adoption Horizons completed 39 adoptions. As of 2012, the Agency will reduce the amount of accepted applicants to 25-30 families on an annual basis.

In order to provide support services for prospective adoptive parents, Adoption Horizons hosts Support Group meetings three times per year. These meetings are facilitated by volunteer parents who previously worked with the Agency, and are intended to provide instrumental and emotional support for families who are currently in the process of adopting from Russia.

These meetings are also open for individuals and families who are considering adopting from Russia through Adoption Horizons, Inc.

Throughout the year, the Agency holds two major cultural events. The Adoption Horizons Annual Picnic is held each summer and takes place in late June. The event attracts hundreds of adoptive families who look forward to seeing each other every year and share the successes of their growing children.

A similar gathering occurs during the winter holiday season as Adoption Horizons hosts its annual Russian Christmas Party in January. The event centres on the Russian holiday tradition of exchanging gifts, enjoying traditional food and spending time with family.

Services provided by Adoption Horizons

Adoption Horizons, Inc. strives to help adoptive families navigate through the complexities of the process of intercountry adoption. Services provided by Adoption Horizons include:

• Education on issues pertaining to adoption. Adoption Horizons offers quarterly Support Group Meetings to current clients, as well as individuals and families considering adoption from Russia;

• Consultation with agency staff to assess eligibility of prospective adoptive parents, as well as to provide detailed information about the adoption process;

• Evaluation of the Homestudy to assess the applicants' eligibility for adoption from Russia;

• For Ontario applicants, submission of the Homestudy package to the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services;

• Preparation of the Application to Search for a Child: preparation of application forms, notarization of documents, authentication at Foreign Affairs Canada and legalization at the Consulate General of Russia;

• Assistance with collecting documentation for the Court Dossier by identifying the requirements set forth by applicable legislation of the Russian Federation;

• Submission of adoption paperwork to Russian child welfare authorities and courts;

• Pre-travel meetings with the families to assist in preparation;

• Full assistance with travel arrangements, travel visas, flights, accommodations, transfers, drivers, interpreters and tour guides;

• Receiving the child's proposal information from foreign authorities;

• Arranging for a Designated Medical Practitioner's examination of the child;

• Assistance with the Canadian Embassy in Moscow in receiving the child's entry visa to Canada;

• Assistance with registration of the adopted child with the Consular authorities of the Russian Federation;

• Full support with post-placement supervision requirements: timely notification of deadlines for completion, preparation and submission of reports to the Russian government.

• Submission of post-adoption paperwork to the Ontario government;

• Referrals for post-adoption services and support;

• Organization of social gatherings: Adoption Horizons Annual Picnic, Russian Christmas Party, etc.

Adoption Horizons works closely with families, adoption practitioners and government officials both in Russia and Canada to ensure the successful outcome of the adoption process.