Happy Families International

Save the Date! May 24th Vodka Tasting

H@ppyF@m — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:22:11 +0000

Join in a special tradition and drink like a true Russian! All funds benefits Happy Families International Center’s “I Want to Walk” program.

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Premiere – On His Own Two Feet at the United Nations!

H@ppyF@m — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:10:32 +0000

The documentary On His Own Two Feet will be premiered at the United Nations on May 31, 2012 at 6pm! The space is limited, please make your reservation at info@happyfamilies.org if you would like to attend. View trailer…

I Want To Walk Kilimanjaro

H@ppyF@m — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:49:59 +0000

“I Want to Walk Kilimanjaro” is a great partnership opportunity! It is a new project from Happy Families International Center. The purpose of the project is to support children with disabilities, many of whom are stuck in the orphanages. The goal is to show what they can achieve in spite of their physical limitations, and to give them hope for a better life.

Alex D’Jamoos, previously known as Sasha Shulchev, was born with no legs and spent most of his life at an orphanage in Russia. His biggest wish was to be able to walk someday. His desire was so passionate that he touched the hearts of many people, who decided to help make his dream come true. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children agreed to provide surgery and make prosthetics. Sasha endured the amputation of his deformed legs, phantom pains, a language barrier, many fears and much more. But it was all worth it after Sasha began to walk! The family that had hosted Sasha during his surgery and adaptation could not imagine letting him return to the orphanage and they became his family forever.

Today, Alex is an incredibly bright and sociable young man. He speaks English fluently and has mastered French; he was accepted to a great college and is pursuing his career path. Not only did Alex learn to walk, but he even learned how to ski! Now Alex wants to help other children like him believe in themselves and achieve their goals, so he decided to embark on an extraordinary journey and task – to will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Alex will be climbing with a group of 12 supporters to Kilimanjaro in June of 2012, through Happy Families’ Program “I Want to Walk”. New York Times photographer Eric Johnson will be walking with Alex and making photo and video footage for the project. After the walk is completed a photo exhibit will be held. The approximate cost per person $4,000, which include the air and ground transportation, climbing accommodations, fees for the National Park’s guides and porters, visa, insurance & the necessary supplies.

The program “I Want to Walk” was created by Happy Families in 2007 and since 2009 has been running in partnership with the Artist Foundation in Russia. The program helps orphaned children obtain their dream of walking. The program is currently developing further – in order to assist children, when they leave the orphanage and help them to walk through life on their own. Happy Families developed a relationship with Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, which provide the best prosthetic surgery and physical therapy. The program includes the training of Russian doctors. Already, seven children received prosthetics. Among this group, three children found families and four already went to college. Twenty-five children received medical consultations and hundreds got necessary medical supplies. Through “I want to walk” Happy Families provides various types of training and education for children, helping them to make the first step outside the orphanage and begin their independent lives.

Life in Motion

H@ppyF@m — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:58:24 +0000

Read from VOA News…

CNN talks about “Life In Motion”

H@ppyF@m — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:04:15 +0000

Click here to read more

Time & Happy families

H@ppyF@m — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:00:57 +0000

LIFE IN MOTION is a unique photo exhibition of 50 images from 10 students’ work created to raise awareness about disabled children who are unable to live a fulfilled life due to their physical limitations. read more…

Early Childhood Trauma and its Impact on the Foster & Adoptive Family

H@ppyF@m — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:58:56 +0000

Early Childhood Trauma and its Impact on the Foster & Adoptive Family An International Perspective Presented by: Natasha Shaginian-Needham, M.D. Wednesday March 14, 2012 6:30pm-9:00pm at the Westchester Institute for Human Development Please call us for registration information at 914 … Continue reading →

Happy Families is Worldwide

H@ppyF@m — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:51:28 +0000

Dr. Natasha Shaginian-Needham is a charming, intelligent, and motivated woman with a mission that crosses cultural, economic, and political boundaries. And she does it all from a small storefront in Cold Spring. ….

“Life in Motion” Closing Event on March 12, 2012

H@ppyF@m — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:40:34 +0000

I would like to invite you to a private event – the closing of the
photo exhibition “Life in Motion” on March 12, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the
International Center of Photography (ICP), Rita K. Hillman Education
Gallery, 1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street, New York. Please join us for this special event. In a casual atmosphere, you
can meet the world renowned photographer Ed Kashi and his great
team, listen to their incredible experiences while working in Russia and
feel the power of their photo images. Have a toast for the success
of the mission at this intimate reception that follows the closing.

Children are very welcome. They will have a chance to write their
wishes for the orphaned children under each photo of those who participated
in the Life in Motion project.

The photographs are available for purchase, and all the funds will go to support the
children in need.

Additional information about “Life in Motion” and its mission is attached.

Please RSVP by March 8 by e-mailing info@happyfamilies.org or
natasha@happyfamilies.org, or by calling 845-265-9272.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Ed Kashi

H@ppyF@m — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:56:34 +0000

Ed Kashi, renowned photographer and part of the International Center of Photography, has generously donated prints to help support Life in Motion. Contact us for more details.

[Show as slideshow]

Return to the Life in Motion page