The Importance of Adoptee-Led Initiatives with Jessica M. Luciere - Ep 162

Unraveling Adoption

"I tell every adopted person that I meet that their story changes my own story. And it's the truth. It is the absolute truth." - Jessica M. Luciere

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, host Beth Syverson interviews Jessica M. Luciere, an inter-country, interracial adoptee from Colombia who works at Spence Chapin, a nonprofit adoption agency. Jessica shares her personal adoption story and highlights the importance of adoptee-led initiatives in the adoption community. She discusses the programming she has created at Spence Chapin, including Voices of Adoption for adoptees over 18 and Teen Voices of Adoption for younger adoptees. Jessica emphasizes the significance of community and support for adoptees and adoptive parents, encouraging them to be open, vulnerable, and willing to learn. She also shares her experience of reuniting with her birth family in Colombia and offers advice for adoptees seeking connection with others. Beth and Jessica stress the importance of listening to adoptees' voices and elevating their perspectives in the adoption conversation. Overall, the episode highlights the value of community, support, and understanding in the adoption journey.

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RESOURCES:

Jessica’s information:

• Spence Chapin’s website: https://spence-chapin.org/

• Voices of Adoption - support groups for adults and teen adoptees: https://spence-chapin.org/voices-of-adoption/

• Jessica's email: [e-mail]

• Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmluciere/

Other Resources:

• APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: http://UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude

• Other Parents Like Me - http://oplm.com

• Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents who have a child struggling with addiction: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

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TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption and Jessica 00:05:30 - Importance of Adoptee-Led Initiatives 00:10:00 - Training and Support for Adoptive Parents 00:13:00 - Growing Up as a Transracial Adoptee 00:15:30 - Reuniting with Birth Family 00:17:00 - Advice for Adoptees Seeking Connection 00:19:00 - Advice for Adoptive Parents 00:20:30 - Resources and Programming at Spence Chapin 00:22:00 - Conclusion and Call to Action