Transracial Journeys

Transracial Journeys is a lifeline for families navigating the unique challenges of transracial adoption. This non-profit organization provides invaluable support through a variety of programs and resources. Their annual family camp is a highlight, offering a safe and nurturing environment for children to connect with peers, explore their identities, and build self-esteem. The camp also provides workshops and discussions for parents, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to support their children's development.

Beyond the camp, Transracial Journeys offers ongoing support groups for families, fostering a sense of community and providing a space to share experiences and challenges. Their website and resources offer valuable information on topics such as cultural identity development, racial socialization, and addressing racism.

Transracial Journeys is a vital resource for families on this journey. They empower children to embrace their heritage, build resilience, and navigate the complexities of their identities in a world that may not always understand. By providing support, education, and community, Transracial Journeys makes a profound difference in the lives of transracially adopted children and their families.

Transracial Journeys plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of transracially adopted children and their families. By providing a safe space for connection, offering valuable resources, and advocating for their needs, they make a significant difference in the lives of many.

TRJ has been an absolute lifesaver for our family. The sense of community and understanding we found there is unparalleled. The workshops, activities, and most importantly, the connections we made with other transracial families, have had a profound impact on our lives. I highly recommend TRJ to any transracial family seeking support, education, and a place to belong.

2024 was my first year attending TRJ family camp. We will be returning.

TRJ has been so valuable for our family. Our son looks forward to the camp each year. He has formed amazing bonds with other attendees and he especially loves the counselors who are all part of transracially adoptive families. For us as parents, it has established a great community and many learning opportunities. We leave each year as a stronger, more communicative family. We are so fortunate to have started attending when our son had just turned 5, this will be our 3rd camp this year and we are all excited.

Our first year at TRJ was 2022. Our 5 yo at the time was shy of new experiences but the second we walked into the main room and he saw so many other like families, his shyness immediately disappeared and his face lit up. He was off to make new life long friends. The content that was shared with the adults was so educational, informative, and eye opening. A room filled with other families that have shared lived experiences brought such a feeling of ease and understanding. We are all there for the same reason, we are all there to support our children, each other, and all children there. Our son had an amazing time, as did we. Upon getting into the car to return home, a sadness fell over him. He did not want it to end, he did not want to leave. With a hurting heart he turned to us and asked if we could come back every year, to which of course we said yes. We left with so much to unpack, so much to think about, so much to consider and a list of things that we needed to do, change, or incorporate in our lives. We are extremely thankful we found this amazing organization. We are extremely thankful to those that put it together, and for all the wonderful counselors (all of which were transracial adoptees as well) that we met and guided our children. We look forward to connecting with our new friends in this amazing community. Our son looks forward to seeing his new friends in this amazing community, it has become the highlight trip of the year for us all.

Transracial Journeys has been part of our lives for 11 years for so many reasons:

-The anti-racism training we parents get every year is transformative
-The chance for our kids to be in a space where their experiences are affirmed
-The chance for our kids to make life-long friends doing ordinary summer camp things while counselors who understand exactly what being transracially adopted is like are helping them to examine, open up, process, celebrate
-I gain insight every single year--when you're new it's big, big learning, when you are seasoned, it's going deeper and more nuanced and helping others find clarity
-Camp re-roots us in our mission to be the best parents we can be in all the intersectional and overlapping ways that all of our identities interact at home and with the world
-We get concrete ideas and strategies every year from programming and from other camp families for navigating parenting, family traditions, school interactions, and more!
-Book recommendations! Recommendations for shows, movies, podcasts and more!

TRJ has helped our family grow in so many ways. It has provided my wife and me with the knowledge and tools to nurture and support our daughter as a person of color. Equally important, it is a welcoming community that understands our lived experience like no other. TRJ is more than a resource to us. It’s our extended family.

My family first attended camp in 2022. The moment we stepped out of the car, my oldest (who is skeptical, shy, and anxious) said "Can we come back next year?" I knew right then we had found a forever community.