Day 1 

Where I Am From — Led by the Adoptee Club on Day 1

Developed from a book called Where I Am From: Student Affairs Practice from the Whole of Students’ Lives, this workshop looks closely at individuals’ identity creation and stories. Participants will reflect and think about where they come from and the components that have helped form who they are as a person. There will be prompts about familiar phrases, formative memories, etc. to encourage a deep dive into one’s “Where I Am From” story. The workshop will incorporate time for free-writing and sharing in both large and small groups. Open to all.

 

Dear ___, yes, I am adopted, BUT… — Led by the Adoptee Recognition Community on Day 1

The “Dear ___, yes, I am adopted BUT…” workshop helps attendees pinpoint some of the key themes, characteristics, and challenges they have experienced throughout their journey of adoption. Through this exploration and using Christina Romo’s article “10 things adoptive parents should know (an adoptee’s perspective),” published in HuffPost, we hope to help lay a foundation for how to have conversations about adoptee experiences with our loved ones. Please note: this workshop is geared towards adoptees, but anyone who is interested is welcome to join.

 

Addressing Information Gaps in Adoption — Led by Adopted Students United on Day 1 

During this workshop, participants will be able to join in a personal reflection and discussions relating to adoption information gaps. This gap is the difference between what information one has and what one does not have in relation to themselves and their adoption. This can encapsulate everything from wanting to know more about one’s cultural heritage, to medical information, to birth parents. Adoptive and birth parents may have their own gaps in adoption related information as well. Adoption is associated with inherent loss and in this session, participants are welcomed into this safe space to exchange perspectives relating to any information gaps they have. All in attendance are welcome to share as much or as little as they would like and all are to be welcomed with respect. Open to all.

 

Day 2 

Why Should I Care About the Home Study? — Led by WWU Adoptees Alliance on Day 2

An adoptee’s story begins long before they arrive in their new home, but so does the adoptive parents’ journey. Before a child can be placed, prospective adoptive parents undergo a home study, which is a rigorous process that evaluates a parent’s ability and preparedness to raise a child. In this workshop, WWU Adoptees Alliance presents the elements of a typical domestic and international home study and follows with an interactive activity. The workshop ends with a discussion about why the home study process matters to adoptees and allows participants to share their own stories and thoughts about this topic. Open to all.

 

Adoption in the Media — Led by the Adopted Students Advisory Panel on Day 2

“Adoption in the Media” explores the dominating narratives in media surrounding adoption and how they continue to perpetuate harmful misconceptions. In this workshop, ASAP incorporates a variety of adoptee-produced media clips to compare and contrast the differences in the way the story is told from adoptee perspectives. The workshop aims to help participants recognize the stereotypes and tropes around adoption and comment on how they relate to society. Open to all.

 

Microaggressions and Adoption — Led by Adopted Students United on Day 2

Microaggressions are comments or actions that, whether intentionally or not, express prejudice towards a person of a marginalized group. As described in Multicultural Social Work Practice, “Though not overt acts…, [microaggressions can] have a profound and debilitating impact” (Sue & Rasheed, 2012). All three parties involved in an adoption – the birth family, the adoptee, and the adoptive family – often receive microaggressions that perpetuate bionormative views. In this workshop, we will introduce and unpack some of the stereotypes related to each of the adoption parties, as well as learn about and practice ways to effectively address microaggressions. Open to all.