Ties Program Blog

Preparing for Heritage Travel | Ties Travelers Reflect | Hear From Our Team

Elizabeth Kwon 5/21/26 Elizabeth Kwon 5/21/26

What We Learned From Our First "Together in This" Cohort

Our first "Together in This" cohort showed us something we already suspected: partners of adoptees need a space too. Real conversations, real community, and a lot still left to explore. We're sharing what we learned and are giving insight into what's coming next.

Elizabeth Kwon 4/23/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/23/26

Kazakhstan Through New Eyes: Reflections from an Adoptive Mother

Sixteen years after adopting their son, Noah, Amelia reflects on their powerful 2025 heritage trip to Kazakhstan with The TIES Program. This blog spotlight details how TIES expertly balanced deeply emotional work with genuine fun and adventure, allowing Noah and other adopted kids to connect in a way that required no explanation. Amelia shares how the experience deepened her understanding of international adoption, replacing initial anxiety with ease and joy.

Elizabeth Kwon 4/16/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/16/26

Ties Traveler: Meet Aunt Allison

Read the powerful story of adoptee Dulce’s heritage journey to Guatemala, accompanied by her favorite aunt, Allison. This moving post details how the aunt-niece duo navigated the emotional complexities of a Ties trip, from discovering the program to successfully meeting Dulce’s birth family and siblings.

Learn why having a non-parental "sidekick" made a difference in Dulce's reconnection experience, the process of finding birth family, and how their family continues to build connections to Guatemala through Spanish classes and plans for future trips.

Elizabeth Kwon 3/19/26 Elizabeth Kwon 3/19/26

Returning to China: A Heritage Trip with My Sons

Adoptive mother, Jen Decker-McMillen shares her summer 2025 experience returning to China with her adopted teenage sons through The Ties Program. A powerful story of heritage travel, identity, and connection.

Elizabeth Kwon 2/26/26 Elizabeth Kwon 2/26/26

The Importance of Being “Together in This” - Introducing Our New Seminar for Partners of Adoptees

Together in This is a three-part interactive seminar created specifically for partners of adoptees who want to better understand, support, and grow alongside the person they love. We sat down with Ben Kaanta and Sarah Kurtzahn, co-creators of this important seminar, to gain insight into why they felt this course was needed and why they decided to navigate unchartered territory.

Elizabeth Kwon 9/22/25 Elizabeth Kwon 9/22/25

Positionality, Identity, and Adoption: Lessons from the Summer Adoption Research Institute

Hear from Senior Program Manager, Sarah Kurtzahn, as she reflects on her time at the Rudd Institute from the viewpoint of someone who is connected to adoption in a non-traditional way.

Not what you’re looking for? Search all of our categories and archives or start from our most recent reflections below.