National Adoption Month: Heritage Camps help families of transracial adoption build community and cultural connection in Colorado – Colorado Public Radio

Report on Adoption Support Systems and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning Adoption with Global Development Objectives

National Adoption Month underscores the critical need for permanent and safe homes for children in foster care. This objective aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring the welfare of vulnerable populations. Providing stable family environments is fundamental to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Furthermore, addressing the complexities of transracial adoption directly supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by fostering inclusive communities and strengthening family units.

Case Study: Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families

Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families is a Colorado-based organization that provides a functional model for supporting transracial adoptive families. Through year-round engagement and culturally-specific summer camps, the organization addresses the unique challenges these families encounter, thereby contributing to the achievement of key SDG targets.

Programmatic Focus on Quality Education and Cultural Identity (SDG 4)

The organization’s primary mission is to deliver an inclusive and specialized educational experience that helps adoptees connect with their cultural heritage. This initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting learning opportunities that enhance cultural understanding and affirm personal identity.

• The organization operates nine distinct camps, each centered on a specific cultural heritage.
• Available camps serve children from various backgrounds, including:
  1. Latin American
  2. Asian/Pacific Islander
  3. Indian/Nepalese
  4. Russian/Eastern European
  5. African/Caribbean
• Programming is designed for all ages, from early childhood through adulthood, focusing on cultural identity and open dialogue.

Fostering Well-being and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 3 & SDG 10)

The camps cultivate a supportive environment that enhances the mental and emotional health of participants, directly contributing to SDG 3. By confronting issues of race and identity, the program also advances SDG 10 by empowering children and mitigating social marginalization.

1. Community Building: Participants report a strong sense of community and belonging. Attendee Sadie Bryan, 13, stated the camp is “a place where I can be myself,” highlighting the creation of a safe and accepting environment.
2. Promoting Representation: In alignment with reducing inequalities, the African/Caribbean Heritage Camp ensures that its presenters and facilitators share the same heritage as the campers. Co-director Kiran Obie noted, “our kids need to see mirrors of the people they can become.”
3. Facilitating Difficult Conversations: The camps provide a forum for families to engage in substantive discussions about racism and the distinct challenges faced by children in transracial families.
4. Empowering Adoptees: The experience fosters a sense of solidarity. Miri, a high school student of Ethiopian heritage, noted the camp demonstrates “that we’re not the only people out there,” which helps build emotional resilience and empowerment.

Building Strong, Inclusive Institutions and Communities (SDG 16)

By reinforcing family units and establishing a durable support network, Heritage Camps serves as a vital community institution that embodies the principles of SDG 16. It contributes to a more just and inclusive society by equipping families with the tools to navigate societal challenges.

• The long-term engagement of families, some returning for over a decade, demonstrates the program’s success in building a cohesive and supportive community for both parents and children.
• The program fosters resilience by preparing families to address the realities of racism and cultural differences, promoting a more just and understanding society.
• This community-based model strengthens the institution of the family, ensuring adopted children receive comprehensive support to thrive within diverse social structures.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article emphasizes the importance of providing “permanent, loving, and safe homes” for children, which is fundamental to their mental and emotional well-being. The Heritage Camps provide a supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging and connection, directly contributing to the mental health of transracial adoptees. Testimonials describe the camp as a place with “so much love” where children can “be myself honestly.”

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The Heritage Camps offer a unique form of education focused on cultural identity and heritage. The article describes them as “culturally-focused summer camps” that help adoptees “stay connected to their roots.” This educational programming, which includes “deep discussions” about complex topics like racism, provides children with knowledge and skills related to cultural diversity and personal identity, which is a key aspect of a holistic and quality education.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article directly addresses the challenges of transracial adoption and the need to support children who may face inequality or discrimination. By creating a community for families who are “navigating the complexities and unique dynamics” of transracial adoption, the camps work to promote social inclusion. The discussions about “racism and how our kids are going to be living in a world and experiencing the world differently” show a direct effort to confront and mitigate the effects of racial inequality.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article’s context is National Adoption Month, which highlights the need to support children within the “foster care system.” This system is a state institution responsible for child protection. The goal of finding “permanent, loving, and safe homes” for these children through adoption is a direct action to protect them from the instability and potential for harm within temporary care, aligning with the goal of protecting children from abuse and neglect.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

  The camps are designed to improve the mental well-being of adoptees by providing a supportive community. The article highlights that the camp offers a “rare opportunity to be around families who understand her experience” and creates a “feeling of being around people who you can connect with so easily.” This focus on community, connection, and open conversation directly supports the promotion of mental health.

• Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote… appreciation of cultural diversity

  The core mission of the Heritage Camps is to foster an appreciation for cultural diversity and heritage. The article states that the camps are “focused on children of Latin American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indian/Nepalese and Russian/Eastern European backgrounds,” among others. This programming helps adoptees “build community and stay connected to their roots,” directly providing education that promotes the appreciation of cultural diversity.

• Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity, origin

  The article showcases an initiative that empowers and socially includes children in transracial adoptive families. It describes how the camp helps children and parents form a community, reducing feelings of isolation. One father notes, “the kids have formed a community and the parents as well,” which is a clear outcome of promoting social inclusion for a group that can feel marginalized.

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

  The article’s introductory statement about the “need for more people to provide permanent, loving, and safe homes for children growing up in the foster care system” connects directly to this target. Adoption is a primary mechanism for moving children out of the vulnerability of the foster care system and into a stable environment, thereby protecting them from potential neglect and instability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 3.4 (Mental health and well-being)

  Qualitative self-reports of well-being and belonging: The article provides direct testimonials that serve as indicators of positive mental health outcomes. For example, 13-year-old Sadie Bryan states, “All my experiences at Heritage Camps have been very positive,” and 10th-grader Miri tearfully expresses that the camp experience means “we’re not the only people out there” and is filled with “so much love.”

• Indicator for Target 4.7 (Appreciation of cultural diversity)

  Participation in cultural education programs: The existence of and participation in the nine culturally-specific camps is an indicator. The article mentions the “African/Caribbean Heritage Camp” and notes that presenters and facilitators are of the same heritage because “our kids need to see mirrors of the people they can become,” indicating a structured approach to cultural education.

• Indicator for Target 10.2 (Social inclusion)

  Formation of supportive community networks: The article implies that the success of the camps can be measured by the strength of the community formed. A parent, Rich Bryan, says the “sense of belonging” keeps them returning, and another, Terry Stone, emphasizes the value for his family “to connect and experience other families just like ours.” These statements indicate the successful creation of an inclusive social network.

• Indicator for Target 16.2 (End abuse… of children)

  Rate of children moving from foster care to permanent homes: While not providing data, the article’s premise is the call to action during “National Adoption Month” to increase adoptions from the foster care system. The number of children successfully placed in “permanent, loving, and safe homes” is the primary implied indicator of progress toward protecting this vulnerable population.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cpr.org