Stories swirl all around us. They come at us on our phones, televisions, and day-to-day interactions with people we meet. However, what if there are stories we never get to hear? What if there are stories that need to be told, but no one is there to listen? Each story, and even more so, each storyteller is unique, created in the image of God with great value and purpose, to be heard, understood, and appreciated for what it is: beautiful, tragic, and everything in between.
The Adoptees Rise conference is geared to creating a space in our lives to listen to that story; the often unheard or misunderstood story of the adoptee's journey. The goal is to learn to listen to their story, how to create a safe place for them to share, and journey alongside them. Not every story is the same, not every experience is the same, but there can be a place where the storytellers all feel loved, accepted, and encouraged in the same way.
This one-day event, held at First Baptist Church of Lodi, is centered around the adoptee experience as one that continues throughout the individuals’ lives. The keynote speaker, Cam Lee Small, author of Adoption Literacy and numerous podcasts and speaking engagements, including TEDx, will combine his personal life story with practical ways to help adoptees walk through their experiences. Numerous other guest speakers and testimonies complement Cam's teaching to provide a holistic understanding of the adoptee's experience.
If you are an Adoptee, Adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, birth parents, therapists, educators, faith community leaders, family and friends of adoptees, you do not want to miss this one-day-only event.
Lunch will be provided with the purchase of the ticket, and there will be a resource fair during the lunch break in the Lobby. Continuing Education hours will be provided for Licensed Foster Care Providers.
