The Eftychia Project

Helping Greek Adoptees Find Their Roots

About Us

About Us imageAbout Us image
     Please note, we are always adding new pages to our website. Please keep checking for updates.
Ever since our President, Eftychia/Linda Carol Trotter, found her Greek family in June 2017, she had it in her heart to "pay it forward", so to speak, by helping other Greek adoptees find theirs, at absolutely no cost to the adoptee. Out of that desire, and with the help of dear friends with like minds, The Eftychia Project was born. We are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization classified as a public charity with tax-exempt status by the IRS. Donations to our organization are tax-deductible (Pub 78).

We are devoted to providing assistance and support to Greek-born adoptees searching for their roots and Greek families searching for their children lost to adoption. We also seek to advocate on behalf of all Greek-born adoptees with the Greek government concerning the issues of transparency about our adoptions, unfettered access to our adoption and birth records, a DNA database for adoptees and their biological families, and Greek citizenship for all Greek-born adoptees. Our current board of directors consists of 3 Greek-born adoptees and a Greek family member searching for their lost children: President, Linda Carol Trotter; Vice-President, Pangiota "Toula" Vrisiotis; Treasurer, Merrill Jenkins; Secretary, Dimitrios Christo.

While we aid Greek-born adoptees (those born in and adopted from/in Greece) from any era, we especially want to assist the thousands of Greek children adopted by American parents in the scandal-ridden years between 1948 and 1962, as time is running out if we have any hope of finding our birth parents still living. Your interest and support of our efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you are a Greek adoptee looking for your Greek roots or a Greek family looking for an adoptee and you would like to request assistance, please send your request to the emails listed in the Contact Us section of the website, to our general email at TheEftychiaProject@gmail.com or click on the Facebook link on the homepage to send a message to our Facebook account. For media inquiries, please send your requests to info@theeftychiaproject.org

The Lost Children of cold war greece video

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Contact Us

Information

For general information about The Eftychia Project, please contact us by clicking on the email link below.

Greek Adoptee Help

If you are a Greek adoptee looking for family members, please contact us by clicking on the email link below.

Greek Family Help

If you are a Greek family searching for loved ones, please contact us by clicking on the email link below.

Donations

$25

Donation Amount

 Second Annual Greek ADOPTEE Reunion

 Second Annual Greek ADOPTEE Reunion image Second Annual Greek ADOPTEE Reunion image
The First Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion, held in August 2022 in America, was an amazing success. Now, because there are Greek adoptees and their biological Greek families scattered across the world, the Second Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion 2023 will be held in our homeland of Greece, not only giving Greek adoptees from America the chance to visit their home country, but also giving those Greek adoptees and families in Greece, all of Europe and elsewhere the opportunity to attend and connect with each other. Our First Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion was a success. Read about it in the National Herald. The National Herald




We are pleased to announce our Second Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion.   
 
 ***SAVE THE DATE!!!***DON'T MISS THE Second Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion 2023
***OCTOBER 14 - 19, 2023***

ALL GREEK ADOPTEES AND GREEK FAMILIES THE WORLD OVER ARE WELCOME
***GROUP TRIP ITINERARY NOW AVAILABLE***

We invite ALL Greek-born adoptees and Greek families to join us for the Second Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion in our beautiful homeland of Greece, October 14 - 19, 2023. Complete details, including options and cost, will be available by the end of February. Meet your fellow Greek adoptees and Greek families searching for their lost children. Dynamic speakers and presentations, fun group activities, Greek adoptee and family stories, Greek coffee hours and cocktail parties, adoptee author book-signing event, Greek Taverna Night with Greek food, music and dancing, door prizes and more! PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND ITINERARY:

1. There will be several options for the Reunion, but in every case, those attendees from outside of Greece will arrange their own transportation to Greece, as it is difficult to coordinate the flights of all who will attend from outside of Greece. Many adoptees are planning to either come the week before the Reunion or stay for a week after in order to see more of Greece and visit their villages.

2. There are two options for the Reunion:
(a) The group trip, which was discussed during the First Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion, and was designed for Greek adoptees (and their family members) who are coming to the Reunion from outside of Greece, not only for those from America, but also for those from all over Europe and the world who would like to join us. We would love for our fellow adoptees (and members of their families) from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the UK, Australia, Canada, Cyprus and beyond to join us on this group trip. The group trip will include Reunion registration, bus transportation in Greece, Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Reception in Athens (all attendees are invited to attend, whether or not they will be on the group trip), two hotel nights in Athens, admission to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, admission to Ancient Corinth, three hotel nights in Nafpaktos, 2 lunches on the Reunion conference days in Nafpaktos, the Greek Taverna Night Dinner, and admission to Ancient Delphi. The trip will begin and end in Athens (see itinerary below) and will be a time for us to travel together, to bond, to love and support each other as we visit Greece and the orphanages from which we came. Many will be seeing Greece and their orphanages for the first time – it will be emotional and, at times, overwhelming. The love and support of our fellow adoptees is crucial.
(b) For those Greek adoptees and Greek families who live in Greece, as well as those who have traveled Greece extensively and prefer to meet us for the 2 days of the Reunion conference/group activities, they may opt for Reunion registration only. In this case, it will include the opening ceremonies and the welcome reception in Athens and the 2 days of the conference in Nafpaktos (including lunch on both days and the Greek Taverna farewell dinner).

3. We will have complete details, including the cost of both options, by the end of February.
(a) We are dedicated to keeping the group trip cost as reasonable and inexpensive as possible and will offer an installment option so it does not have to be paid all at once (for example, a deposit and 3 additional payments, etc.)
(b) Those who choose the Reunion registration only option will be responsible for their own accommodations and transportation in Nafpaktos, but there are a number of hotel, air bnb and booking.com options.

4. All participants, regardless of option, will receive a conference syllabus and a goody bag.

5. We are in the process of finalizing our speakers and presenters and will have announcements soon.

Group Trip Itinerary (Subject to Change)
October 14 - 19, 2023
Athens/Corinth/Patras/Nafpaktos/Delphi/Arahova

•Saturday, October 14, 2023 – Day 1
12 noon until 7:00 pm – Pick up credentials and goody bags at hotel in Athens
8:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Reception - included

•Sunday, October 15, 2023 – Day 2
Morning – Visit Orphanages: Athens Municipal Nursery and
Mitera
Lunch on your own in Athens area (Place TBA)
Afternoon – Acropolis (we want a photo of everyone in front
of the actual Parthenon this year!) and Acropolis museum –
admission included
Early evening – Explore Plaka/Monastiraki on your own, dinner
on your own

•Monday, October 16, 2023 – Day 3
Morning – Depart Athens, visit Corinth Canal and Ancient
Corinth – admission included
Lunch on your own at Ancient Corinth
Afternoon – Arrive Patras, visit Patras Orphanage and other
Patras sites
Early evening – Cross Rio-Antirrio Bridge to Nafpaktos
Check-in to hotel
Dinner on own in Nafpaktos (multiple tavernas, restaurants,
coffee shops on the sea & at port)

•Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – Day 4 (Day 1 of Conference portion)
2-day Reunion Conference (conference registration included)
at the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in
their beautiful conference center with breathtaking views of
the Gulf of Corinth. 9:30 am until 5:00 pm each day.
Lunch included, will be catered to the Monastery
Dinner on own in Nafpaktos
Evening cocktail party (place TBA)

•Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Day 5(Day 2 of Conference portion)
Lunch included, will be catered to the Monastery
Greek Taverna Night Farewell Dinner in a real Greek Taverna
with Greek food, music & dancing. Door prizes, photo booth
and other fun activities - included

•Thursday, October 19, 2023 – Day 6
Morning – Depart Nafpaktos for Ancient Delphi (admission
included) and Arahova
Afternoon/Early Evening arrive back in Athens
End of trip – Accommodations/plans are on your own for 19
October & remainder of stay in Greece

 Like and follow this page, The Eftychia Project page or access our website www.theeftychiaproject.org for the latest information and updates.

We are waiting for you in beautiful Greece!

Greek adoptee conversations

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***BY POPULAR DEMAND!***
The Eftychia Project has been hosting a series of virtual, interactive forums for Greek adoptees and Greek biological families.
The next “GREEK ADOPTEE CONVERSATION” will be held..........date not yet set.
The exact date and details will be provided in the near future.


After a suggestion from Board of Directors member Merrill Jenkins and feedback from adoptees who attended our overwhelmingly successful recent Greek Adoptee Reunionpalooza 2021, The Eftychia Project is pleased to announce the establishment of a new series of interactive forums for Greek-born adoptees and Greek families to meet virtually and discuss topics and issues of keen interest that directly affect them. Each two-hour forum will be conducted via Zoom and each will feature a topic of conversation which will be announced prior to each forum.

12 noon CT (10:00 am PT, 11:00 am MT, 1:00 pm ET, and 20:00 Greek time).12 noon Central Time.

The Eftyhchia Project presents
Greek Adoptee Conversations
via Zoom (links will be posted prior to each session)


All sessions begin at 12:00 noon CT
(10:00 am PT, 11 am MT, 1:00 pm ET, 20:00 Greek time)


Events

Events image
***OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE GREEK ADOPTEE REUNIONPALOOZA A HUGE SUCCESS!!***

A great, big THANK YOU to our fabulous speakers Sam Williams, Gregory Kontos, Maria Vakouftsi and Elena Giannoulaki and all of our particpants who made Greek Adoptee Reunionpalooza 2021 a huge success. 

If you missed our 2-day event, the recordings will be made available over the next few days for replay on our FB page The Eftychia Project and our YouTube channel
YouTube link


 Immigration Files

***GREEK-BORN ADOPTEES:  REQUESTING YOUR COMPLETE IMMIGRATION FILE FROM USCIS - PAPER REQUEST FORM VS. ONLINE. WHICH ONE WILL REALLY GIVE YOU ALL OF YOUR DOCUMENTS?

by Linda Carol Forrest Trotter

See page below to download Form G-639 


While we Greek-born adoptees are able to request our complete immigration files (Alien Files) from USCIS through the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), which method is really best for requesting those records? For over two years, we've provided Form G-639 USCIS, with the instructions and a sample completed form, to many Greek-born adoptees to facilitate their requests to USCIS. It has been our experience in the past that completing the G-639 USCIS on paper and mailing it to the National Records Center via Priority Mail with a tracking number seemed to provide the best results.


Today, I decided to download the latest version of paper form G-639 to update what we provide to Greek-born adoptees. It is almost impossible to find online now (I did find it, finally), as the government is trying to force everyone to apply for their immigration files online. They still accept the paper request forms, as they explain on the website that if you sent your request by mail, email or fax, you can still ask to receive your file in digital form. But there is nowhere that I can find on the website to download the paper form, although you can download the instructions for the form. So far, it has been a mixed bag as to what adoptees receive when they request their files online. Some are told they don't have a file, some are given only a few pages, while it seems that only a few are lucky enough to receive their complete file. So, today, I decided to request my immigration file online (even though I already received mine on a CD over three years ago), just to go through the process to see the difference in requesting the file online, with respect to the time it takes and how many pages of documents I actually end up receiving. When I requested my documents the first time, it took almost 6 months and I received 79 pages, two of which had been redacted. It will be interesting to compare what I receive from the online application compared to the paper application the first time around.


What I did notice as I worked my way through the online application is that there is virtually no place to explain any discrepancies or unusual circumstances. For example, under "Other Information", there are spaces to input various identifiers to help the government find your file: I-94 Arrival - Departure Record, Passport or Travel Document Number, Alien Registration Number (A-Number, USCIS Online Account Number (if any), Application, Petition or Request Receipt Number. Most of these are not applicable to we Greek-born adoptees, with the exception of the A-Number and perhaps the Passport or Travel Document Number. I am not certain that there is anywhere that they kept track of our Greek passport numbers, because nowhere in the file I received three years ago was there a reference to my Greek passport. If you don't have your Alien Registration Number (or A-number), by far the best identifier for your immigration file, there are is no place to enter your naturalization certificate number or your naturalization petition number, if you happen to have those. And you must choose "Alien File" when it asks for the records you are seeking. And when you choose "Alien File", it then does not allow you to request any other files, i.e., birth certificate, naturalization certificate, etc. Because, in theory, the Alien File SHOULD contain both a copy of your birth certificate and your naturalization certificate. But in practice, sadly, that is not the case - we've had multiple adoptees who have found neither of these documents in their Alien File. In our next Greek Adoptee Conversations: The Search for Roots and Reunion, coming up on Saturday, January 15, 2022, we'll discuss Form G-639 and other tools that are useful in the search for biological family. We'll also hear from adoptees who have found family and those who are still searching, and the impact it has had upon their lives. Mark your calendars and join us for what promises to be an enlightening conversation.


 Forms to Download

Immigration Form G-639

Download

ADVOCACY






***THE EFTYCHIA PROJECT LAUNCHES GREEK-BORN ADOPTEE-LED INITIATIVE FOR A DIALOGUE WITH THE GREEK GOVERNMENT CONCERNING TRANSPARENCY, ACCESS TO RECORDS, A DNA DATABASE AND GREEK CITIZENSHIP FOR ALL GREEK-BORN ADOPTEES***
***GREEK-BORN ADOPTEES, WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!***
TEP is passionate about furthering the quest of a growing chorus of Greek-born adoptees for the Greek Citizenship they so rightfully deserve. We are beginning work on a plan for a path to citizenship for Greek adoptees that we hope to present to the Greek government in the coming months. But there are other pressing issues of supreme importance to all Greek-born adoptees/Greek biological families that need to be addressed by the Greek state which, at the very least, owes us the opportunity to present our concerns and the courtesy of hearing us out:
(1) We believe that the knowledge of their roots and their biological family origins are basic human rights of all adoptees
(2) We believe that Greek-born adoptees and Greek biological families are entitled to transparency from the Greek government and all Greek adoption-related institutions and organizations reagrding these adoptions 
(3) We believe that Greek-born adoptees are entitled to unfettered access to Greek court, orphanage, institutional and organizational records related to their adoptions, as well as copies of ALL of their adoption-related documents
(4) We believe that Greek-born adoptees and Greek families are entitled to the establishment of an adoptee/biological family DNA database by the Greek state for the purpose of reuniting adoptees and their biological families, at no cost to either the adoptee or the biological family
(5) We believe that all Greek-born adoptees are entitled to Greek citizenship, and that the pathway to Greek citizenship should be streamlined, with minimal bureaucratic processes and at minimal or no cost to the adoptee
If you are a Greek-born adoptee, your input is vital for formulating this citizenship plan and presenting these issues to the Greek government. Your lived experiences are crucial to this initiative. If you would like to participate, please email us as soon as possible at theeftychiaproject@gmail.com and let us know of your interest and your contact information. We will then email you information regarding partcipation. It is our hope that by Greek-born adoptees working together, we will be able to begin a dialogue with the Greek government to right the wrongs of the past, to open the door to those documents and records to which we are entitled and to which access for many of us has been denied, to establish a DNA database through which we might be reunited with our biological families, and to reclaim the Greek citizenship that is our birthright. There is strength in numbers - let's work together and make what has long been a dream into a reality!

Advocacy Update

Advocacy Update image
The Eftychia Project is at Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Η Ελλάδα στον Κόσμο.

***THE EFTYCHIA PROJECT MEETS WITH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN ATHENS IN THE PUSH FOR GREEK-BORN ADOPTEE BIRTH AND IDENTITY RIGHTS AND GREEK CITIZENSHIP***

The Eftychia Project (TEP), along with MP Stathis K. Konstantinidis of Kozani, met on Monday afternoon, November 8, 2021, with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Diaspora Greeks, Andreas Katsaniotis, to discuss the fight of Greek-born adoptees for their birth and identity rights, including their right to Greek citizenship. TEP presented a bound formal statement that included an introduction to the Greek adoptions, the four main issues for Greek-born adoptees (transparency, open records, Greek citizenship and a collaborative DNA database) and proposed solutions for each of these issues. Also included in the statement were emotional letters from multiple Greek adoptees in which they expressed their feelings about their Greek identity and why Greek citizenship was so important to them.

The hour-long meeting covered all four issues, with particular emphasis on Greek citizenship and that the proof of our citizenship is contained in the Greek passports with which we left Greece for our new adoptive homes. Political and legislative solutions to the citizenship issue were also discussed. The Deputy Minister has pledged his support and now the work begins to determine how the Greek government can bring our hopes and dreams to fruition. 

This is only the beginning of a collaboration with the Greek government for the justice that Greek-born adoptees have long-deserved but have been so long denied. As so aptly put by Mr. Margaritis, Director of the Diplomatic Cabinet, also present at the meeting, "You have suffered long enough". Yes, we have, Mr. Margaritis --- yes, we have. On behalf of Greek-born adoptees everywhere, our thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their invaluable help and support. 

***If you are a Greek-born adoptee and would like to be actively involved in our adoptee-led initiative with the Greek government for our birth and identity rights, please send us an email at theeftychiaproject@gmail.com***


PARTNERSHIPS

PARTNERSHIPS image
The Eftychia Project is pleased to partner with MyHeritage to provide free DNA kits to Greek-born adoptees searching for their roots and Greek families searching for their children lost or, presumably lost, to adoption. MyHeritage is one of the largest DNA companies in the world and has the largest DNA database in Europe. We are grateful to MyHeritage for their generous donation of DNA kits and for their technical and reserach support.  To visit the MyHeritage website: www.MyHeritage.com.