Space Still Available  

In every adoption there are many stories. There is the birthparent(s)' story, the adopting parent(s)' story, not to mention those of siblings and extended families. Whether an adopted child has ongoing contact with their birth parents, or none at all, adoptees must "weave" together their own narrative to create a strong, healthy identity.

 

Learn how the adults in adopted children's lives can best embrace and support each child's story and validate all triad members loving contributions to the child. Join us for a rare opportunity to learn to recognize a child's changing emotional and cognitive understanding of adoption over time.

 

 

This workshop is appropriate for Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, Pre-Adoptive Parents and Professionals. 


March 10th, 2012
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Oakland, CA

Scholarships for adoptees and birth parents available on an individual basis, please inquire.

About the Keynote & Morning Presenter

Pat Irwin Johnston, MS, has been an award-winning advocate and educator in the field of infertility and adoption for over 30 years. Before her retirement in December, she had been the publisher at Perspectives Press for 30 years. She is an author of eight books and was a columnist for Adoptive Families Magazine. She has previously chaired the national board of directors for RESOLVE, along with other boards. Her most cherished credential is that of a parent through adoption of three grown children, and a member of a family which has experienced adoption as birthparent, adoptee, and adoptive parent through five consecutive generations.  

 
Susan Ito served as the director of Pact Camp from 2004 to 2011 and is now the Head of Pact's Adult Adoptee Advisory Board. Susan is herself a biracial Asian adoptee, teacher and published author. Her solo performance piece on adoption, The Ice Cream Gene, has been performed nationally and will be featured at the 4th International Conference on Adoption and Culture in Los Angeles in 2012.