chinese adoptee collective
a collective of people adopted from china working together to organize the first closed* conference for our community.

conference - all

all | general info | program | know-before-you-go / faq

chinese adoptee collective presents “CONTEXT,” the first closed* conference for people adopted from china 

  • who :: people (18 yo+) adopted from china
  • when :: june 27-29 2025 
  • where :: in person at asian arts initiative, 1219 vine st, chinatown, philadelphia, pa 19107 (see “collective gems <3” google map for local community reccs!)
  • how :: 100% grassroots volunteer and community organized. learn more about our virtual fundraiser to help offset conference costs here. 
  • cost :: pay what you can/no one turned away for lack of funds (pwyc/notaflof), our registration form has a sliding scale for attendees**


update 4/10 :: general waitlist update -- at this time there are over 50 people on the waitlist.  if you are registered for the conference and discover that you can no longer attend please email us asap so we can hand off your spot to someone else. email :: chineseadopteecollective@gmail.com

update 1/8 :: waitlist is now enabled -- please register for the waitlist using the same link below. if we are able to accommodate you we will be in touch. registration in now open!

register for the first closed* conference for people adopted from china here, direct link :: https://chineseadopteecollective.regfox.com/chinese-adoptee-conference 


:: register now ::


update 1/8 - micro grant applications are now closed. if you applied for a micro grant we will be in touch soon. thank you to all donators for helping to fund this program. micro grant applications are now open!

apply for a micro grant to help offset some flight and hotels costs in order to attend the conference here, direct link :: https://forms.gle/sMLzpXPAgmyWHBFKA 


program highlights
keynote :: history of china’s international adoption program by grace newton (@redthreadbroken)

sessions ::
  • adoptee consciousness model
  • crossmovement solidarity
  • dna and birth search with nanchang project (@nanchangproject)
  • disability justice

workshops ::
  • dumpling making with asian food collective (@asianfoodcollective)
  • traditional knot tying 
  • zine making with marcescence magazine (@marcescence_magazine)

panels ::
  • going back 
  • birth search 

additional highlights ::
  • reset room 
  • open mic/drag show fundraiser 
  • collective mural project 
  • mahjongg game night 

more info here! 


know before you go 

the space ::
  • asian arts initiative :: 2 gender neutral restrooms per floor, fully ada accessible, one elevator, 25 stairs per floor (3 floors)

public safety ::
  • masks, rapid tests, and hand sanitizer encouraged and free 
  • stay home if you are feeling sick!!

what to bring ::
  • suggestions :: pen, journal, water bottle, and snacks
  • all food is pay-your-own-way / on-your-own (see “collective gems <3” google map for community reccs!)

travel ::
  • approx 20 min/$50 rideshare from airport
  • approx 45 min/$7 train from airport (septa.org for more info)


faq

cac recently held a meet/q&a with the community to answer questions about the conference. below are the more frequently asked questions and their answers :: 

  • can i attend the conference virtually? no, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate virtual conference attendance due to technical shortcomings and privacy concerns. we will however be publishing a free online program to our website after the in-person conference which will include as much of the conference’s information and resources shared as possible. 

  • are people adopted from hong kong or taiwan allowed to attend the conference? yes, using their own discretion. if you identify as a person adopted from hong kong or taiwan and believe this conference would be helpful for you to attend we will happily have you. cac aims to create a safer braver space for community. if you believe this conference could be triggering or harmful for you please consider attending bipoc adoptees conference instead. more information here :: https://www.bipocadoptees.org/

  • what covid precautions will be in place at the conference? cac acknowledges that there is an active pandemic disabling community members to this day. through out the conference, masks, sanitizer, and rapid tests will be available to all attendees to mitigate as many risks to public health and safety as possible.

  • what should we bring to the conference? will food be provided? conference registrants are not required to bring anything in order to attend the conference however we suggest bringing a water bottle, journal and pen, and snacks. all meals will be on your own except friday’s community dinner which is rsvp only. look out for the conference registration page to rsvp to certain conference events. cac is working on a google map called “collective gems <3” to help conference attendees get the most out of their time in chinatown. 

  • do you have a hotel block or parking garage information? cac does not have a hotel block. the asian arts initiative collaborates with a local hotel (Kestrel Hotel) in offering a promotional code for guests :: ASIANARTS. please also consider joining our discord (dm us on instagram for an invite) and using the travel and lodgings channels to find travel companions or hotel pods. there is street parking (paid and free) and a handful of parking garages within a 5-block radius of the venue.

  • explain closed?  definition :: limited to certain people; not open or available to all. the conference will only be open to adults (18 years or older) adopted from china. no adoptive parents, partners, or the general public. cac is also acutely aware of the exhausting and unsustainable nature of 100% self organized community projects. a handful of conference staff will not be adopted from china. these people are community allies, ie. workshop co-facilitators or mental health professionals, and will wear identifying lanyards.

  • explain “CONTEXT”? definition :: the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed. “CONTEXT” is the theme of the conference and the throughline of its program. there are so many ways to contextualize adoption from china. we hope this first conference gives attendees the opportunity to do so.


please use our contact form to ask us any other questions you may have. it may even end up being featured here!


if you are an organization in the adoption sect and are interested in collaborating please contact us using our contact form.

*closed means only for people (18+ yo) adopted from china. no adoptive parents, partners, or the general public. this is important to us because historically people who experience adoption are extremely isolated and raised without fellow adoptee community. this conference will be the first large closed gathering for people adopted from china.
**learn more about sliding payment scale. 

| contact form

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