Chloé Gingrich-Howling 7/24/25 Chloé Gingrich-Howling 7/24/25

From Participant to Team Member, Reflections from Ties’ First Intern

Guatemalan adoptee Bella reflects on her return to Antigua as the first Ties Program intern. From mentoring fellow adoptees to learning and living daily life in Guatemala, she shares the emotional and cultural impact of the Service and Language heritage travel experience.

Autumn Ackerson 6/28/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/28/25

Ties Traveler: Meet Tatyana

Kazakhstan adoptee Tatyana shares her powerful 2024 Ties Program journey—reconnecting with her orphanage, embracing her culture, and finding community through heritage travel.

Autumn Ackerson 6/20/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/20/25

Ties Traveler: Meet Bella

Guatemalan adoptee Bella Faulkenberry shares her transformative experience traveling with The Ties Program. From rediscovering her heritage to building lifelong connections with fellow adoptees, Bella reflects on what it meant to return to her birth country with support, community, and love.

Autumn Ackerson 6/14/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/14/25

Ties Travelers: Meet Wen

Follow Wen's journey back to China on the 2024 China Ties trip as she visits her birthplace in Ningdu, reconnects with her roots, and reflects on identity, belonging, and the power of traveling with fellow adoptees.

Autumn Ackerson 6/7/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/7/25

Ties Travelers: Meet David

Korean adoptee David shares his powerful return-to-Korea journey with Ties—reflecting on identity, belonging, and what home truly means.

Autumn Ackerson 5/27/25 Autumn Ackerson 5/27/25

AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Kara Griffey

Born in Kolkata and raised in Oregon, South Asian adoptee Kara Griffey shares her powerful return-to-India journey with The Ties Program—reclaiming identity, rediscovering culture, and finding lasting community during AANHPI Heritage Month.

Autumn Ackerson 5/20/25 Autumn Ackerson 5/20/25

AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Lacey Jeffrey

Chinese adoptee Lacey Jeffrey shares her journey of identity, heritage travel, and cultural connection as part of the AANHPI adoptee community. Read her story of heritage travel and finding belonging.