Holt International Children's Services

Milestones
1955: After petitioning Congress, the “Holt Bill” passes — allowing Holt International founders Harry and Bertha Holt to adopt eight children from South Korea.
1956: Harry Holt and David Kim establish the Holt Adoption Program in Korea.
1961: The Ilsan Center is built in Korea as a long-term care facility for children with special needs.
1972: Holt begins serving orphaned and vulnerable children in Vietnam.
1975: Holt expands our work to Thailand.
1975: Holt evacuates 409 children during the “Vietnam Babylift.”
1975: Holt establishes programs in the Philippines.
1979: Holt helps establish our partner organization, BSSK, in Pune, India.
1989: Holt helps establish another partner, VCT, in Bangalore, India.
1992: Holt develops an adoption program in China.
1993: Holt begins work in Mongolia.
2000: In the Philippines, Holt helps develop the ILEA program for children aging out of institutional care in the Philippines.
2001: Holt begins work in Uganda.
2003: Holt develops programs and services for children in Haiti.
2005: After intermittently serving children and families in the 90s, Holt establishes ongoing services in Cambodia
2007: Holt begins serving children and families in Ethiopia.
2013: Holt develops our Child Nutrition Program.
2013: Holt begins to support children at a school for the deaf in Ethiopia.
2014: Holt assumes management of Sunny Ridge Family Center, a domestic infant adoption program in Illinois.
2014: After a 6-year moratorium on adoptions, Holt is selected to participate in a pilot program for children with special needs in Vietnam.
2016: Holt expands our foster care adoption program in Oregon
2016: Holt celebrates our 60th anniversary.