"Parenthood has nothing to do with color, race or religion. It has to do with far deeper likeness of mind and heart and soul."
-Pearl S. Buck, 1964

In 1949, author and humanitarian Pearl S. Buck created the Welcome House Adoption Program.
Her goal was to develop an agency that would find adoptive families for bi-racial children that were considered 'unadoptable' because of their ethnic status. As an adoptive mother herself, she knew that the bond between a child and their parents transcended bloodlines. In 1956, Welcome House expanded its charter to find families for children living in any country.

Now one of the oldest and most respected adoption programs in the world, Welcome House has placed nearly 7,000 children from 28 nations around the world. The program offers a full range of services, administered by experienced social workers, assisting parents through the complex international and domestic processes. We seek homes that will recognize and celebrate a child's birth culture and we prepare adoptive families for the challenges they will face. We carry on Pearl Buck's pioneering vision by uniting children with permanent loving families, providing education throughout the adoption process, and offering lifelong support for adoptees and their families.

Our overseas staff works in conjunction with registered agencies of orphanages and adheres to all government regulations to protect children. Information meetings and events are held to assist prospective parents learn more about providing a loving home for these children in need. Additionally, we provide post-placement services to our adoptive families to guide them through the transitional issues surrounding international adoptions.


Hague Accredited Through 2013

On February 29, 2008, Welcome House received notification of its Hague Accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. The Hague Convention on International Adoption is a landmark treaty governing adoption and protecting children adopted across international borders. Welcome House was one of the first adoption agencies to receive full accrediation in the United States. Click to view our certification!

Over 70 nations have joined the Hague Convention on International Adoption (HCIA), including countries from Asia, Africa, Europe and North/South America. As of April 1, 2008, any family choosing to adopt from a Hague country will be required to work with a Hague-accredited agency in the United States.

Welcome House is pleased that U.S. ratification and implementation of the HCIA will offer many positive changes for prospective adoptive parents. The HCIA regulations provide a number of safeguards to protect children and adoptive parents from fraudulent practices and negligence.

This page was last updated on June 28, 2010