The short quote above, from an Arabic poem, was written 500 years before the Quran, and speaks to our long held notions on connection and inclusivity. The term, outsider, has profound and multiple meanings today, in physical and intrapsychic ways. Adoptees can feel like outsiders; as though they don’t belong to, or are not accepted in the same way as others. The Kids, Tweens and Teens Adoptee Identity Development Workshops are are a way for adoptees to identify those feelings, to hear thoughts and ideas from peers, and to develop a sense of belonging to this unique experience. Download the registration form HERE. Please register by March 20th.

April 23, 2017 Kids 7 – 9 (one day workshop)
April 30 & May 7, 2017 Tweens 10 – 13 (two day workshop)
May 21, 2017 Teens 13 – 18 (one day workshop)… Read the rest ““Every stranger to a stranger is kin.” Imru al-Qays”

The Winter Refresher Workshop in Atwater Village was wondrous for all. Our multi-generational adoptee facilitators included Robyn Shultz, MA and Mardet Homans, BA. We explored many themes through activities, discussion and exercises to encourage adoptees to embrace their own narratives. Kumbi Butler, of Heartbeat House, led a marvelous stress reduction yoga module that was irresistible for the participants. What do young adoptees think about? Here’s a sampling of their thoughts:

• Why do people make fun of some people who don’t look like them?
• Why do people judge without asking?
• I wonder if my birth parents ever feel regret?
• It’s so awkward when teachers meet my parents and realize that my family is white . . . and I’m not.
• I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I was never adopted.
• I wonder if my birth parents feel remorse?
• Why is chocolate so yummy?
• I wish I knew why my birth parents gave me up
• Why do people judge me for being adopted? =(
• I wish I got to celebrate Chinese Holidays
• People can be soooooooooooooo naive!
• Why do adopted people have a lot o drama

While chocolate may not appear so germaine to our mission, it’s just as important for our kids to enjoy themselves and that comment made me giggle! The dates for Spring 2017 have been set!

April 23, 2017 Kids 7 – 9 (one day workshop)
April 30 & May 7, 2017 Tweens 10 – 13 (two day workshop)
May 21, 2017 Teens 13 – 18 (one day workshop)

Email us via the CONTACT page for updates.… Read the rest “The Winter 2016 Workshop for Teens and Tweens”

Participating in the 2016 Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Cultures conference last month in Minneapolis was a cornucopia of scholarship, engagement and community. The critical mass of adoptee activism is at work in academia from many perspectives, and I am so grateful for their voices in the discourse. As a practitioner, their work informs what I am able to contribute to our community. JaeRan Kim‘s use of the word recuperation during a session on the Intersections of Adoption Studies, speaks to the many ways that we seek to recover from these tumultuous times, and to recover or discover our adoptive narratives. November is Adoption Awareness month, and increasing awareness is part of this recuperation: Should adoptees have access to their Original Birth Certificates? Should Inter-Country adoptees be guaranteed citizenship (read Adam Crapser’s story)? Should the Department of State tighten inter-country adoption regulations? There are opportunities to make your voice heard this November.… Read the rest “Recuperation . . . seeking recovery from the not known”