Hi Also-Known-As family,
I hope you all are staying safe and managing as best as expected amongst the events happening around the world. The Board and I have loved seeing both new and familiar faces alike as we kicked off our 2023-2024 programming in September. If you haven’t been to an event yet, we hope to see you soon!
Earlier this week on October 30th was Adoptee Remembrance Day, and today marks the beginning of National Adoptee Awareness Month. Adoptee community, support and awareness stretches far beyond a month’s duration, and I would like to take a moment to recognize how a month like this can be a catalyst to conjure up a multitude of feelings. However you choose to observe this month, I hope you can be gentle and kind with yourselves.
For me personally, seeing those who are doing the emotional work to center and amplify adoptee voices whether this month and all year round, I see you and thank you. As experts in our own lived experiences, I believe there should always be enough seats at the table and the platform for each of us if we so choose to engage. We’re stronger together.
We have heard feedback requests for community support resources, and we would greatly appreciate your willingness to share any resources that have resonated with you by utilizing this ongoing form.
Warmly,
Lindsay Geier AKA 涂婷
Adoptee x Parent Open Discussion: Wednesday, November 8th.
The topic of “family” can conjure up a lot of mixed emotions for adoptees and adoptive parents; with the holiday season quickly approaching, we recognize that this time of year means family time for some, but not for all.
On Wednesday, November 8th at 6pm, we will be hosting a unique, intimate event that will create an arena for adult adoptees and parents of adoptees to practice difficult conversations. Adoptees and adoptive parents will be partnered 1-on-1, round-robin style, and will have the opportunity to tackle topics in a SAFE space they may not normally feel comfortable bringing up with family members, such as: “Why don’t we live in a diverse area with people who look like me (adoptee)?” or “What worries you about doing a Birth Family Search?”
Event: Adoptee x Parent
Who: Adult adoptees and adoptive parents only
Date: Wednesday, November 8th
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 1270 6th Ave - 9th Floor
RSVP: Yes. Space is limited.
The air is getting crisp and leaves are getting crunchy. Join us on Saturday, November 11th as we venture up to Cold Spring, NY for a group hike on the Bull Hill Short Loop. With many beautiful overlooks of the Hudson Valley, this trail isn’t one to miss. Afterwards we will indulge in sweet treats from MooMoo’s Creamery in the heart of Cold Spring.
For more details, please click on the RSVP link. Happy trails!
Event: Autumn Hike
Date: Saturday, November 11th, 2023
Time: Hike begins at 11:00am
Location: Washburn Trail on Bull Hill Parking Lot (3011 NY-9D, Cold Spring, NY 10516)
RSVP: Yes. Please RSVP here by Friday, November 10th.
Family Portraits and Potluck: Saturday, November 18th.
During this season of togetherness and gratitude, we invite our Also-Known-As family to gather for a shared homemade meal, plus professional group portraits of chosen family.
Bring your favorite dish and anyone part of your “family” unit (biological, adoptive, chosen or anything in-between!), or join us solo to make new connections.
We will also be illustrating bags for @HeartofDinner, a local NYC non-profit whose mission is to directly address food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American seniors. Learn more at heartofdinner.org
Event: Family Portrait
Date: Saturday, November 18th
Time: 1:30pm- 4:00pm
Location: 265 West 37th Street, New York City, NY 10018 (2nd Floor. Room 206)
RSVP: Yes (40 person cap.)
When We Become Ours: A YA Adoptee Anthology.
Wednesday, November 29th.
Join Also-Known-As and the Asian American Writers' Workshop in person to celebrate When We Become Ours: A YA Adoptee Anthology, edited by Nicole Chung and Shannon Gibney. The first of its kind, When We Become Ours is a powerful and poignant story collection written by and for adoptees in a variety of styles and genres. Our celebration will feature a thoughtful discussion with contributors Rebecca Carroll, Lisa Nopachai, Matthew Salesses, and Eric Smith, moderated by Lily Philpott.
This event is graciously sponsored by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop.
This in-person event will also be live-streamed for folks who are outside of the NYC area. RSVPs are required for all attendees. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL IN-PERSON ATTENDEES.
We’ll have books available for purchase and signing from Yu & Me Books.
Event: When We Become Ours: A YA Adoptee Anthology
Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Time: 7pm
Location: Asian American Writers’ Workshop (112 W 27th Street, Suite 600 New York, NY 10001)
Who: Open to the public
RSVP here: (in-person limit 50 max)
AAWW Event Link
Annual Holiday Party: Friday, December 8th.
Join us for a night of gathering, delicious food, raffles and karaoke as we raise a glass to 2023. Come one, come all! Everyone is welcome. Whether it's your first holiday party or your 28th, we're excited to get in the festive spirit with you.
Where: Karaoke City (22 W 32nd Street. 7th Floor. New York, NY 10001)
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Food Catered by Bulbap Grill.
Two private karaoke rooms.
RSVP: Required to help us plan effectively! Click here to register!Cost: Free for members | $45 for non-members Payment options include: Paypal or Venmo (@also-known-as) Not a member yet? Join us.
Let’s ring (and sing) in the new year. You’re not going to want to miss this one!Community NewsHealing Arts Retreat for Transracial AdopteesAdoptee Healing Arts is offering a Healing Arts Retreat for Transracial Adoptees in honor of November’s National Adoption Month. It will be a weekend of holistic healing through MindBody Movement, Reiki and Creative Writing in New York City. And specifically designed to support the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness of transracial adoptees. Together, we will voice our stories, find our authentic selves and heal together as a community. For more information and registration, please click here.
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