Adoption Option - In the Know:
The Adoption Option Committee is a group of people who promote adoption as a loving choice for the children of unintended pregnancies.  Every day in Minnesota, 15 girls under the age of 19 give birth—most choose to raise their babies.  Studies show that children of young, single parents are more likely to be victims of child abuse and 83% more likely to also become teen parents. The In the Know campaign is an effort to recruit teens and train them as peer-to-peer educators.  When students understand adoption, more babies are placed for adoption. This effort is non-political, non-religious and provides unbiased, straightforward information about adoption.  Adopted teens would be particularly knowledgeable and persuasive in this role.
Teens who want to learn about and promote adoption among school friends can contact itkteens.org or call 952 944 0866.  Persons who need help immediately can call 1-866-694-BABY.

Now Available "Learning the Dance of Attachment" by Holly van Gulden and Charlotte Vick.  Click here for more information.

Red Thread Tours & Services:
A Minnesota based organization that provides heritage tours for families who have adopted from China.  Danling Cai, the organization’s founder and president, offers her rich knowledge of China and it’s children, her many years of adoption experience, and her professional relationships in China to enable these tours to be a combination of sightseeing and cultural exposure, allowing you to truly connect the red thread of adoption.  Red Thread Tours provides more than a memorable experience with guides and social workers traveling in China.  For more information call 952-927-4705 or visit their website at www.redthreadtour.org.

Heritage Camps:
There are heritage camps in Colorado which some of our families have attended. They have given the camps rave reviews. Here is their general website: www.heritagecamps.org

Homeland Tours:
The Ties program is a travel program for adoptive families visiting their child's land of birth to reconnect with foster homes, orphanages, schools, homes and see the sights of the country. The families are escorted by a Ties staff member and an English speaking local guide.  For additional information, please call 1-800-398-3676 or visit web site: www.adoptivefamilytravel.com

Camp Masala Indian Culture Camp
(sponsored by PIC, ICAN & SILC)  is a weekend camp for children of Indian heritage and their families. Our goal is to facilitate our children’s education about Indian culture in a fun environment. Your children will be surrounded by other children who look like them and other families who are built like theirs. The experience of being ‘in the majority’ is invaluable. We look forward to meeting your family and getting our beautiful Indian children together to celebrate their heritage!�www.CampMasala.org

Yinghua Academy is a new metro area Public Elementary Charter School with an Emphasis on Chinese Language and culture. The mission of Yinghua Academy is to provide a challenging and comprehensive learning environment that will nurture our students’ natural inquisitiveness and will prepare them to be engaged and productive global citizens. Yinghua Academy will be bilingual (Mandarin / English) and bicultural. During the 2006-2007 school year Yinghua Academy will provide immersion in Mandarin Chinese in Kindergarten and 1st grade and a significant introduction to Mandarin Chinese in 2nd and 3rd grades as well as Chinese cultural experiences in all grades. For more information visit www.yinghuaacademy.org

Minnesota Post-Adoption Resources Directory�Local adoptive mom Barbara Holmes has created the first-ever Minnesota Post-Adoption Resources Directory.  The booklet has over 50 pages of contact information for post-adoption support groups, cultural activities, restaurants, services for children with special needs, adoption services, and language resources, for international and domestic adoptive families in Minnesota.  The cost is $10.  Contact Barbara at bgholmes@earthlink.net or 651-308-5889.