1st - 8th Grade
Workshops

This year's kids program is designed to help youth explore their emotions, relationships, and inner strengths through the themes of brain, heart, and courage from The Wizard of Oz. Participants will work their way through imaginative play and teambuilding exercises to collaborate with peers and problem-solve in fun and creative ways along the Yellow Brick Road. These activities will serve as an experiential base for discussing their unique perspectives and experiences as adoptees, while also facilitating connection among the participants. 

Parent Program

There’s No Place Like Home: Exploring the Heart, Mind, Courage of Adoptive Parenting
 

Keynote Presenter:

Laura Ornelas, LCSW and C.A.S.E Emerging Leaders

Walk with us down the Yellow Brick Road of adoption as we explore the Mind, boost the Courage, and inspire the Heart of adoptive parenting. On this journey, we’ll have the opportunity to learn from the wisdom and insights of C.A.S.E. Emerging Leaders-adults who will reflect on their experiences of growing up adopted, and Laura Ornelas, LCSW. 

As we come to understand more about the impact of trauma and loss on the heart, mind and bodies of children, we’ll practice having sensitive conversations, and open our hearts to experiencing joy and light with every member of our family (including ourselves!)  

Laura Ornelas, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and has dedicated her career to foster care and adoption for 30 years. After a decade of child placement work in Los Angeles, Laura was inspired to support families on their lifelong journeys and has started numerous adoption/ permanency specialty mental health programs focused on relationally based healing. Laura is a nationally respected trainer and writer, mother to 2 teenagers, and remains passionate about broadening collective understanding of children’s development to include loss, trauma, attachment, and intersecting identities.

9th - 12th Grade Workshops

This year's teen program is designed to help teens explore their emotions, relationships, and inner strengths through the themes of brain, heart, and courage from The Wizard of Oz. Teens will work their way through improv comedy games and get creative by making works of art and creating vignettes. These activities will serve as an experiential base for discussing their unique perspectives and experiences as adoptees, while also facilitating connection among the participants.