VIDEO: Young Offers Help to Hoosiers Pursuing International Adoptions

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today released a video highlighting work he has done to facilitate international adoptions and offering help to Hoosiers who are experiencing difficulties.

The video features the Oren family from Anderson, Indiana. The Orens reached out to Senator Young’s office to help facilitate the international adoption of their son, Genene, from Ethiopia. In 2017, the adoption was stalled following the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia’s decision to suspend international adoptions. The order left more than 200 U.S. families, and the Ethiopian children they were trying to bring home, in a heartbreaking limbo.

Senator Young raised the issue with the former Ethiopian Ambassador in phone calls, directed staff to maintain regular contact with the embassy, highlighted the issue in a hearing with a top Department of State official, and led two letters signed by hundreds of members of Congress. After continued efforts by Senator Young and staff, the Oren family was finally able to welcome their son home in June 2017.

“We had four people here stateside from our church who contacted the Senator’s office, and a quick response, which was amazing,” said Jon Oren in the video.“First thing he did was he received the information that was important, he connected it to the fact that he was a father, and that this was a situation that needed to be taken care of.”

Last January, Senator Young met with Kassa Tekleberhan Gebrehiwot, Ethiopia’s new Ambassador to the United States, in order to continue advocating for Hoosier families with pending adoptions. Families experiencing challenges with adoption are encouraged to contact Senator Young’s office by visiting: Young.Senate.Gov/Help 

Click hereor the image below to watch the full video.