I chose Celebrate Children after months of agency research. All of my initial emails were answered promptly and in great detail. They also represented themselves as Christian individuals. I felt confident that Sue and her staff were compassionate, caring people who truly loved the children of Guatemala (and other Countries) and wanted nothing more than to see them united with their forever families. I was prepared for the ups and downs of international adoption and the many unknowns, but I was not at all prepared for the emotional abuse this agency would cause so many families entrusting them to make their dreams comes true. I prepared my dossier with little to no help from my case manager, receiving no responses to my many questions. When I became paper ready and received my referral it was told that we were represented by "one of the best in country contacts" over the next few months it became clear that everybody was represented by "one of the best". I was told that in the next 6 months I would be receiving the call to pick-up my new child. In the beginning things moved quickly and within a short time (3 months) I had DNA, exited Family Court and received Pre-Approval from the U.S Embassy. I was then submitted to PGN and kicked-out several times over the several months for errors. The weekly updates I was promised never came, my emails were either replied with two worded answers or not at all. I began to feel as if I was bothering my case manager and contact between me and this agency was gone. I had to take charge of my case. So many children celebrating their first birthday's in Guatemala, coming home a walking, talking toddler. Many families have had to hire outside help in order to complete their adoptions. Sue is well known in Guatemala, but not for her caring heart. She is a bully who abuses her families emotionally and financially. You quickly learn to remain silent if you want your child home. To many questions will result in the threat of a lost referral. If you become upset she will require a pyshological evaluation claiming you are an unfit parent. Her yahoo group is not there for support but rather a way to monitor her families. If you say something in any way contradictory to her you will be banned. Chats are often used to gossip and personal information is shared about non- participating families. If the tone becomes negative, Sue will share stories about famillies who have lost referrals or children that have died. Stating we should be happy we still have a referral. Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved. I do feel that long ago Sue must have cared for these children, but somewhere between her office and the bank it was lost. I do not want to see any other families fall victim to this agency. Adoption is supposed to be a beautiful experience, but using Celebrate Children will take away from that and cause you a lifetime of pain.
Regarding the comment: "Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved."
It sounds like your referral was some time ago, so I am wondering how you know that "very little information was shared with the families about the risks involved." I highly doubt that anyone you know accepted a referral from CCI since I'm sure you would have warned them not to. So, I am curious as to where you got this information.
We accepted a last minute referral. Sue did not ask for ANY payment at that time. In fact, it wasn't until January and after the DNA was approved that she even asked for any payment (and by then Family Court was underway). So, CCI and the attorney had already invested time and money prior to getting one red cent from us. THEN, Sue only requested one quarter of the fee (agency and attorney) because as she had explained at the very onset, there was no guarantee that the adoption would go through due to all the changes. She made the risks VERY clear, and attempted to divide up the "cost" of the risk by only accepting partial payment.
Why on earth would Sue be up front with one client and not another. There would be no rhyme or reason to this.
I would like to comment on several statements above.
Quote #1
"The weekly updates I was promised never came,"
This apparently is a case by case basis. I adopted my son through CCI (he is now home). The process took almost a year to the day and it was not easy at all. BUT, I was kept informed as well as I expected to be. I had friends who were adopting with other agencies and from other countries that did not get as many updates and pictures as I did.
Quote #2
"my emails were either replied with two worded answers or not at all."
Sue is well known for her "short replies". But let me say they are due to her overload of emails. If she took several minutes to email each client then just THINK of all the clients that would be FURIOUS that they hadn't heard anything because Sue was too busy sending detailed messages to others. Sue's practice of quick answers with no fluff are simply a way to keep the flow going. As for not receiving any news at all......I always took that as "she must not HAVE any news". I tried very hard not to take everything personally.
Quote #3
"She is a bully who abuses her families emotionally and financially."
This is a statement of opinion. I spoke with Sue BEFORE I chose CCI, many times during the adoption process and have even went on a mission trip at the same time she was in Guatemala and met her there while she was seeing children. "Bully" is certainly not an adjective I would think of when describing her. And in NO way did I ever feel abused emotionally or financially during the adoption process with CCI.
Quote #4
"You quickly learn to remain silent if you want your child home."
Oh my goodness. I called Sue, emailed Sue, and drove her nuts on chats. Not one time did she ever threaten me in any way. I can't speak for others, but I will NOT allow someone to speak for ME either.
Quote #5
"Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved."
Yes, CCI continued to try to find families for children during this uncertain time. However, I happen to know FOR A FACT that Sue DID warn families about the impending difficulties and even probabilities of the adoption not even being carried through. How do I know that? Because I was in Guatemala right before Christmas and because I SIGNED one of those POA's after Sue spent quite a bit of time letting me know that it was BY NO MEANS a done deal. A friend of mine was with me and was trying to decide on whether or not to go forward or not. Sue also warned her that there was no guarantee.
Quote #6
"I do feel that long ago Sue must have cared for these children, but somewhere between her office and the bank it was lost."
Unbelievable. Those are rather harsh statements to make about someone that you've not walked in their shoes. I've not walked IN her shoes, but I HAVE walked right beside them in Guatemala. (And, no, I am not on staff in any way. I'm simply a mom who adopted through CCI.) Sue cares very much for these children. Maybe too much sometimes. As for the money.....if you think she is banking it, then you've simply NOT met her.
I could have rebuttled several other comments....and not just this post, but others as well. I know that every adoption is different. Mine did not go off without a hitch. My sons DNA had to be done 3 times and took 5 months to get taken care off. My birthmom began to change her mind during our visit trip and a host of other things went drastically wrong. But I really think my adoption experience hinged on MY OUTLOOK.....not CCI. I could have looked at everything as if the world was coming down around me. And I could have found someone to blame. But the fact is, when you internationally adopt....well, it is out of our hands and our control.
CCI is not perfect, Sue isn't perfect. But I wouldn't use anyone else for another adoption. God Bless, Michelle Garland
Are you kidding? You are defending someone who clearly has some problems. Who else is there to help her? She and her husband are the only ones on staff. Congratulations that your adoption went well but how easily we forget, once we get what we want. To all the families that have been swindled by this "Christian" know that your day will come to see her pay.
No, I am NOT Sue. As I signed on my post....my name is Michelle Garland. I am not ashamed to leave my name. I truly understand that there are disgruntled clients. I am very sorry. I am not saying that those that are unhappy are "lying". However, I am not "lying" either. My case went well. Just as many want to post their negative experience, I feel that I have the right to post my positive experience. Both of us have the same right to Free Speech.
I really am sorry for the heartbreaking experiences that are listed here. I had a couple of those before I signed with CCI and I know what it is to have a door shut that you were already walking through. I hate for us Guatemalan parents to appear to be competing with one another.....especially at a time when things are such a mess in Guatemala and we should be supporting those who are still in limbo.
From what I've heard, CCI will no longer be facilitating adoptions with Guatemala now...other than those that are already in progress. I pray those children come home soon. I also urge any of you that still have a heart for Guatemala to pray about helping those children that are left with no hope of adoption now. There are so many children in orphanages that have very little hope. They need sponsors, they need funds, they need clothes and shoes......they need love. Just because we can't adopt them at this time should not mean we forget about them.
Tue, 07/01/2008 - 7:21pm — guatemom (not verified)
I remember you Michelle Garland!
Hi Michelle!
I read your comments on here and I have to say I agree with you on most. Adoption IS a personal journey and most of the time, it's all about your attitude toward it. If your attitude is that you can sit back and wait and wait and wait and never get updates or talk to Sue, then you'll probably fair really well with CCI and Sue H. As I recall during our time together at CCI, this is just what you did! I CLEARLY remember in an email from you that I was telling you how rude I thought Sue was and how she was treating us during our adoption and you stated to me that you had never really contacted Sue since your adoption began. You told me that you never emailed or called her.....you said you didn't realize you were supposed to! If that's the type of person you are, then more power to you but, for me (and apparently a LOT of people are more like me!) when I knew I was being lied to and my case was taking longer than it should, I was savvy enough to step in and hire outside help. We started our adoption when our child was 6 days old and finally (praise the Lord!) got her home at 14 months old. I'm thankful she's here and I'm thankful each day for being allowed to be her Mother but, there was NO excuse for the lies and deceit that went on during our case. Sue and her staff didn't even know our baby's birthmother was a minor until we were months into our case and trying to get preapproval! I realize the pressures Sue faces daily with the hundreds of children she has in ongoing adoptions but, I truly believe if you aren't willing to hire the staff necessary to handle the load you're taking on, then you just can't give your families the time and care they deserve. The bottom line is Sue is NOT giving individual adopting families the time, care and attention they require to get through the trying months they must face while waiting for their children. Lying and yelling "psychological evaluation" at you whenever you ask a question is NOT a help....it's a heartbreak! I appreciate your attitude toward CCI and Sue. I know you're a very kindhearted and well meaning person but, please, I think you've forgotten there are many of us who had difficult cases and had to endure hell from Sue and her staff. Please don't insult all of us (you really have NO idea how many of us there are!) by coming on here and acting as though our cases couldn't have happened the way the way we say they did. We're not remembering incorrectly......you just don't know and I'm grateful you don't because it's something you can never forget. And, in case you're curious, I took over the prayer list from you and then had a very nasty email from Sue telling me NOT to post anyone's timelines on it from then on! No reason...she just didn't want anyone's timelines on there I guess so we couldn't compare cases....so typical of Sue....oh, but, you wouldn't know that.
Wow, I have to say, your message seemed harsh. You and I certainly do handle things differently. We did 2 years ago and we still do apparently.
You state: " I think you've forgotten there are many of us who had difficult cases and had to endure hell from Sue and her staff. Please don't insult all of us (you really have NO idea how many of us there are!) by coming on here and acting as though our cases couldn't have happened the way the way we say they did. We're not remembering incorrectly......you just don't know and I'm grateful you don't because it's something you can never forget. And, in case you're curious, I took over the prayer list from you and then had a very nasty email from Sue telling me NOT to post anyone's timelines on it from then on! No reason...she just didn't want anyone's timelines on there I guess so we couldn't compare cases....so typical of Sue....oh, but, you wouldn't know that."
My turn:
I think you need to read my post again. Not one time did I act as if anyone else's case didn't happen the way they said. I believe everyone on here is stating the facts of THEIR case. And that is exactly what I did as well. I stated the facts of MY case. I thought that is why we had this "Adoption Agency Ratings" site. I didn't realize it was a "bash Sue site". Sue and I have had our "run ins" since the adoption if you want to know the truth, since I have continued helping with the sponsorship program as well as the Rosa de Amor Program (of which CCI dropped like a hot potato unexpectedly and moved on to Ethiopia!) I have my own issues with Sue and CCI. BUT, I simply stated my experience with CCI during the adoption....nothing else. That's what was asked of me on this site....and that is what I said. It bothered me that there were so many negative bashing posts and few positive ones, because in the end our adoption process DID go much smoother than many others.....however, much due to our wonderful fostermother and Guatemalan facilitator (neither work for CCI any longer). I figure more people that are disgruntled with their agency look for outlets than do people that are content with their adoption process. So I thought I would post a positive process.
Anyway, I take offense at being accused of "insulting" other CCI parents and "not knowing". I would never intentionally insult another human being be they an adopting parent or otherwise. NOR am I ignorant of Sue and CCI, however, I choose to not be hateful.
In conclusion, I would like to rectify the statement I made in a discussion with you a couple of years ago. I ended up making several calls to Sue as well as MANY emails. Sue emailed me back and never threatened me in any way. (Once again....this was MY experience ONLY.) I would be happy to forward all the emails to you if you find this hard to believe, since I kept every last one of them to share with Wilson when he became older.
God Bless, and I'm thinking about unsubscribing to this site......it's beginning to frustrate me.
Michelle Garland
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Reviews
Celebrate Children- Forever Changed My Life
I chose Celebrate Children after months of agency research. All of my initial emails were answered promptly and in great detail. They also represented themselves as Christian individuals. I felt confident that Sue and her staff were compassionate, caring people who truly loved the children of Guatemala (and other Countries) and wanted nothing more than to see them united with their forever families. I was prepared for the ups and downs of international adoption and the many unknowns, but I was not at all prepared for the emotional abuse this agency would cause so many families entrusting them to make their dreams comes true. I prepared my dossier with little to no help from my case manager, receiving no responses to my many questions. When I became paper ready and received my referral it was told that we were represented by "one of the best in country contacts" over the next few months it became clear that everybody was represented by "one of the best". I was told that in the next 6 months I would be receiving the call to pick-up my new child. In the beginning things moved quickly and within a short time (3 months) I had DNA, exited Family Court and received Pre-Approval from the U.S Embassy. I was then submitted to PGN and kicked-out several times over the several months for errors. The weekly updates I was promised never came, my emails were either replied with two worded answers or not at all. I began to feel as if I was bothering my case manager and contact between me and this agency was gone. I had to take charge of my case. So many children celebrating their first birthday's in Guatemala, coming home a walking, talking toddler. Many families have had to hire outside help in order to complete their adoptions. Sue is well known in Guatemala, but not for her caring heart. She is a bully who abuses her families emotionally and financially. You quickly learn to remain silent if you want your child home. To many questions will result in the threat of a lost referral. If you become upset she will require a pyshological evaluation claiming you are an unfit parent. Her yahoo group is not there for support but rather a way to monitor her families. If you say something in any way contradictory to her you will be banned. Chats are often used to gossip and personal information is shared about non- participating families. If the tone becomes negative, Sue will share stories about famillies who have lost referrals or children that have died. Stating we should be happy we still have a referral. Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved. I do feel that long ago Sue must have cared for these children, but somewhere between her office and the bank it was lost. I do not want to see any other families fall victim to this agency. Adoption is supposed to be a beautiful experience, but using Celebrate Children will take away from that and cause you a lifetime of pain.
Last minute referrals
Regarding the comment: "Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved."
It sounds like your referral was some time ago, so I am wondering how you know that "very little information was shared with the families about the risks involved." I highly doubt that anyone you know accepted a referral from CCI since I'm sure you would have warned them not to. So, I am curious as to where you got this information.
We accepted a last minute referral. Sue did not ask for ANY payment at that time. In fact, it wasn't until January and after the DNA was approved that she even asked for any payment (and by then Family Court was underway). So, CCI and the attorney had already invested time and money prior to getting one red cent from us. THEN, Sue only requested one quarter of the fee (agency and attorney) because as she had explained at the very onset, there was no guarantee that the adoption would go through due to all the changes. She made the risks VERY clear, and attempted to divide up the "cost" of the risk by only accepting partial payment.
Why on earth would Sue be up front with one client and not another. There would be no rhyme or reason to this.
I would like to comment on
I would like to comment on several statements above.
Quote #1
"The weekly updates I was promised never came,"
This apparently is a case by case basis. I adopted my son through CCI (he is now home). The process took almost a year to the day and it was not easy at all. BUT, I was kept informed as well as I expected to be. I had friends who were adopting with other agencies and from other countries that did not get as many updates and pictures as I did.
Quote #2
"my emails were either replied with two worded answers or not at all."
Sue is well known for her "short replies". But let me say they are due to her overload of emails. If she took several minutes to email each client then just THINK of all the clients that would be FURIOUS that they hadn't heard anything because Sue was too busy sending detailed messages to others. Sue's practice of quick answers with no fluff are simply a way to keep the flow going. As for not receiving any news at all......I always took that as "she must not HAVE any news". I tried very hard not to take everything personally.
Quote #3
"She is a bully who abuses her families emotionally and financially."
This is a statement of opinion. I spoke with Sue BEFORE I chose CCI, many times during the adoption process and have even went on a mission trip at the same time she was in Guatemala and met her there while she was seeing children. "Bully" is certainly not an adjective I would think of when describing her. And in NO way did I ever feel abused emotionally or financially during the adoption process with CCI.
Quote #4
"You quickly learn to remain silent if you want your child home."
Oh my goodness. I called Sue, emailed Sue, and drove her nuts on chats. Not one time did she ever threaten me in any way. I can't speak for others, but I will NOT allow someone to speak for ME either.
Quote #5
"Celebrate Children was one of the last agenies to continue handing out referrals up until the very end. Many Power of Attorney's were signed the last couple weeks of December, but little information was shared with the families about the risks involved."
Yes, CCI continued to try to find families for children during this uncertain time. However, I happen to know FOR A FACT that Sue DID warn families about the impending difficulties and even probabilities of the adoption not even being carried through. How do I know that? Because I was in Guatemala right before Christmas and because I SIGNED one of those POA's after Sue spent quite a bit of time letting me know that it was BY NO MEANS a done deal. A friend of mine was with me and was trying to decide on whether or not to go forward or not. Sue also warned her that there was no guarantee.
Quote #6
"I do feel that long ago Sue must have cared for these children, but somewhere between her office and the bank it was lost."
Unbelievable. Those are rather harsh statements to make about someone that you've not walked in their shoes. I've not walked IN her shoes, but I HAVE walked right beside them in Guatemala. (And, no, I am not on staff in any way. I'm simply a mom who adopted through CCI.) Sue cares very much for these children. Maybe too much sometimes. As for the money.....if you think she is banking it, then you've simply NOT met her.
I could have rebuttled several other comments....and not just this post, but others as well. I know that every adoption is different. Mine did not go off without a hitch. My sons DNA had to be done 3 times and took 5 months to get taken care off. My birthmom began to change her mind during our visit trip and a host of other things went drastically wrong. But I really think my adoption experience hinged on MY OUTLOOK.....not CCI. I could have looked at everything as if the world was coming down around me. And I could have found someone to blame. But the fact is, when you internationally adopt....well, it is out of our hands and our control.
CCI is not perfect, Sue isn't perfect. But I wouldn't use anyone else for another adoption. God Bless, Michelle Garland
You must BE Sue....
Are you kidding? You are defending someone who clearly has some problems. Who else is there to help her? She and her husband are the only ones on staff. Congratulations that your adoption went well but how easily we forget, once we get what we want. To all the families that have been swindled by this "Christian" know that your day will come to see her pay.
No, I am Michelle Garland
No, I am NOT Sue. As I signed on my post....my name is Michelle Garland. I am not ashamed to leave my name. I truly understand that there are disgruntled clients. I am very sorry. I am not saying that those that are unhappy are "lying". However, I am not "lying" either. My case went well. Just as many want to post their negative experience, I feel that I have the right to post my positive experience. Both of us have the same right to Free Speech.
I really am sorry for the heartbreaking experiences that are listed here. I had a couple of those before I signed with CCI and I know what it is to have a door shut that you were already walking through. I hate for us Guatemalan parents to appear to be competing with one another.....especially at a time when things are such a mess in Guatemala and we should be supporting those who are still in limbo.
From what I've heard, CCI will no longer be facilitating adoptions with Guatemala now...other than those that are already in progress. I pray those children come home soon. I also urge any of you that still have a heart for Guatemala to pray about helping those children that are left with no hope of adoption now. There are so many children in orphanages that have very little hope. They need sponsors, they need funds, they need clothes and shoes......they need love. Just because we can't adopt them at this time should not mean we forget about them.
God Bless,
Michelle Garland
I remember you Michelle!
Tue, 07/01/2008 - 7:21pm — guatemom (not verified)
I remember you Michelle Garland!
Hi Michelle!
I read your comments on here and I have to say I agree with you on most. Adoption IS a personal journey and most of the time, it's all about your attitude toward it. If your attitude is that you can sit back and wait and wait and wait and never get updates or talk to Sue, then you'll probably fair really well with CCI and Sue H. As I recall during our time together at CCI, this is just what you did! I CLEARLY remember in an email from you that I was telling you how rude I thought Sue was and how she was treating us during our adoption and you stated to me that you had never really contacted Sue since your adoption began. You told me that you never emailed or called her.....you said you didn't realize you were supposed to! If that's the type of person you are, then more power to you but, for me (and apparently a LOT of people are more like me!) when I knew I was being lied to and my case was taking longer than it should, I was savvy enough to step in and hire outside help. We started our adoption when our child was 6 days old and finally (praise the Lord!) got her home at 14 months old. I'm thankful she's here and I'm thankful each day for being allowed to be her Mother but, there was NO excuse for the lies and deceit that went on during our case. Sue and her staff didn't even know our baby's birthmother was a minor until we were months into our case and trying to get preapproval! I realize the pressures Sue faces daily with the hundreds of children she has in ongoing adoptions but, I truly believe if you aren't willing to hire the staff necessary to handle the load you're taking on, then you just can't give your families the time and care they deserve. The bottom line is Sue is NOT giving individual adopting families the time, care and attention they require to get through the trying months they must face while waiting for their children. Lying and yelling "psychological evaluation" at you whenever you ask a question is NOT a help....it's a heartbreak! I appreciate your attitude toward CCI and Sue. I know you're a very kindhearted and well meaning person but, please, I think you've forgotten there are many of us who had difficult cases and had to endure hell from Sue and her staff. Please don't insult all of us (you really have NO idea how many of us there are!) by coming on here and acting as though our cases couldn't have happened the way the way we say they did. We're not remembering incorrectly......you just don't know and I'm grateful you don't because it's something you can never forget. And, in case you're curious, I took over the prayer list from you and then had a very nasty email from Sue telling me NOT to post anyone's timelines on it from then on! No reason...she just didn't want anyone's timelines on there I guess so we couldn't compare cases....so typical of Sue....oh, but, you wouldn't know that.
I'm really disappointed in this reply....
Wow, I have to say, your message seemed harsh. You and I certainly do handle things differently. We did 2 years ago and we still do apparently.
You state: " I think you've forgotten there are many of us who had difficult cases and had to endure hell from Sue and her staff. Please don't insult all of us (you really have NO idea how many of us there are!) by coming on here and acting as though our cases couldn't have happened the way the way we say they did. We're not remembering incorrectly......you just don't know and I'm grateful you don't because it's something you can never forget. And, in case you're curious, I took over the prayer list from you and then had a very nasty email from Sue telling me NOT to post anyone's timelines on it from then on! No reason...she just didn't want anyone's timelines on there I guess so we couldn't compare cases....so typical of Sue....oh, but, you wouldn't know that."
My turn:
I think you need to read my post again. Not one time did I act as if anyone else's case didn't happen the way they said. I believe everyone on here is stating the facts of THEIR case. And that is exactly what I did as well. I stated the facts of MY case. I thought that is why we had this "Adoption Agency Ratings" site. I didn't realize it was a "bash Sue site". Sue and I have had our "run ins" since the adoption if you want to know the truth, since I have continued helping with the sponsorship program as well as the Rosa de Amor Program (of which CCI dropped like a hot potato unexpectedly and moved on to Ethiopia!) I have my own issues with Sue and CCI. BUT, I simply stated my experience with CCI during the adoption....nothing else. That's what was asked of me on this site....and that is what I said. It bothered me that there were so many negative bashing posts and few positive ones, because in the end our adoption process DID go much smoother than many others.....however, much due to our wonderful fostermother and Guatemalan facilitator (neither work for CCI any longer). I figure more people that are disgruntled with their agency look for outlets than do people that are content with their adoption process. So I thought I would post a positive process.
Anyway, I take offense at being accused of "insulting" other CCI parents and "not knowing". I would never intentionally insult another human being be they an adopting parent or otherwise. NOR am I ignorant of Sue and CCI, however, I choose to not be hateful.
In conclusion, I would like to rectify the statement I made in a discussion with you a couple of years ago. I ended up making several calls to Sue as well as MANY emails. Sue emailed me back and never threatened me in any way. (Once again....this was MY experience ONLY.) I would be happy to forward all the emails to you if you find this hard to believe, since I kept every last one of them to share with Wilson when he became older.
God Bless, and I'm thinking about unsubscribing to this site......it's beginning to frustrate me.
Michelle Garland