**We have been looking into many possible venue options for the Parent Forums, but have unfortunately been unable to secure an affordable space for the originally scheduled forum dates. We are still looking to hold the Parent Forums, however they are now all tentatively scheduled for Winter/Spring 2012. We are still in the process of trying to find space, and will let you know of the final dates as soon as we are able to secure a venue. We apologize and hope that we will still see you at the Parent Forums next year!**

15th Anniversary Special: Empower, Build, Transform

In honor of Also-Known-As, Inc.’s 15 years of service to the adoption community, celebrated in 2011, this Parent Forum Series will reflect the organization’s mission: Empower the intercountry adoption community, Build cultural bridges, and Transform conversations about race. With this 4-part series, we seek to explore the process of self and communal empowerment experienced by adult transracial adoptees, ways in which cultural bridges (both with birth countries and other transracial adoptees) have been and continue to be formed and nurtured, and the transformations, if any, in conversations and perceptions about race (and similarly, intercountry adoption). We will also address the future of our community: in what ways can we encourage further growth and understanding, as individuals, in society and cross-culturally.

We invite parents into our lives, to share in our experiences through the power of discourse, to reflect on changes that have taken place within the adoption community, and to look at how we can all continue to benefit our community as your children grow into teenagers and adults.

Through this discussion, which will include adult adoptees offering perspectives on their personal experiences, we hope to provide some insight into how we have come to feel empowered, from personally finding strength in being adopted or finding comfort in our own skin (or both), to a stronger sense of inclusion in a community. Parents will also have the opportunity to hear obstacles encountered along the way and our responses and reactions (for better or worse).

For the adoption community, “building cultural bridges” means more than simply (re)connecting with the adoptees’ birth culture and country, it also means opening lines of communication and opportunities for sharing within our local community. We are inviting representatives from cultural organizations / institutions here in New York to engage in a discussion about how we have (or can) work together to to contribute to the growth of cultural ties between the adoption community and their birth countries and cultures*. It will make for an interesting discussion about how we, as a community, are actually part of the broader Asian American or Latin American diaspora. Intercountry adoptees are also in the unique position of being [unofficial and unintentional] cross-cultural ambassadors, bridging their birth and adoptive countries.

* China has recently invited Chinese adoptees from the U.S. and their families on a “heritage tour” in China. And as of late 2010 / early 2011, Korean adoptees are no longer recognized by the Korean government as “Overseas Koreans”.

This part of the series offers parents the opportunity to engage in discussion with each other about thoughts you may have following by the series, and/or address any questions that were not previously addressed. The final discussion will be facilitated by Joy Lieberthal-Rho, LCSW who is an adult Korean adoptee and former President of Also-Known-As, Inc. She asks parents, “What is your adoption identity?”

Each 2 hour forum will include a brief introduction/presentation by the panelists (~30 minutes), a Q & A session (~1 hour), and informal socializing (~30 minutes), when parents can mingle amongst themselves and with the panelists.

**We are currently working to solidify the venue location and exact times for the Parent Forum Series and will post the information here as soon and send it out on the email listserve as it is confirmed.**

Date TBD (Sat) - 15th Anniversary Special: Empower Build Transform - Part I: Empower
Speakers: TBD

Date TBD (Sat) - 15th Anniversary Special: Empower Build Transform - Part II: Build
Speakers: TBD

Date TBD (Sat) - 15th Anniversary Special: Empower Build Transform - Part III: Transform
Speakers: TBD

Date TBD (Sat) - 15th Anniversary Special: Empower Build Transform - Part IV: Final Discussion
Speakers: TBD

$125 Continued Member Discount (Eligibility as follows):

• Member Families who have maintained membership for the past 2+ years
• Member Families who have been registered participants for the Parent Forums (’08-’09, ’09-’10, or both)
• Member Families whose children currently participate in at least one of our Mentorship Programs

**Continued support from families like yours has allowed Also-Known-As, Inc. to serve the tri-state adoption community for 15 years! We are happy to offer you a discounted rate as a thank you! If you are unsure about the status of your membership, please contact Marissa Martin.**

$150 Member Families

$200 Non-Member Families (Includes Family Membership)

*Fee includes entrance to all four forums for one or both parents.

Registration will open once a venue has been secured and dates have been announced.