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Hi, I’m Liz Emen, an adoption-competent therapist with C.A.S.E.
On Tuesday, July 25, I had the opportunity to facilitate four groups for the Latin American Parents Association (LAPA) summer camp. Mis Amigos Culture Day Camp is for adopted children of Latino heritage and their siblings. This annual summer camp is a celebration of their birth cultures and of the adoptive families to which they belong.
I spent the day with 2nd through 8th graders, as well as high school counselor-in-training students (CITs). Our groups involved the children and teens exploring the theme of identity – their personal traits, characteristics, values and beliefs through a fun, interactive game called the Game of Discovery.
During the game, the students are asked to choose where they believe a variety of traits come from; their birth family, their adoptive family, or whether it’s something they feel is uniquely their own. This activity generates discussion about the challenge of integrat
ing BOTH birth and adoptive family, their heritages, into a strong, cohesive sense of self and identity…of who they really are.
The highlight for the day was facilitating discussion amongst the teens who eagerly dove into a rich discussion on their experience in transracial families, many of whom reported being relieved and glad to be in a room with other teens who share similar experiences.
If you are interested in working with C.A.S.E. for your next training event or want to learn more about the presentations that we offer, please complete this brief interest form and our Training Coordinator will be glad to contact you.