Ties Program Participants Now Eligible to Receive Grants from CH/LSS!
The Ties Program has long strived to make heritage travel accessible to as many intercountry adoptees and their loved ones as possible (serving over 4,000 people since our founding in 1994!). With the cost of international travel skyrocketing paired with our commitment to provide the highest quality experience with qualified and trained staff, this is no small task (and we’ll be the first to admit our trips are not cheap).
In 2012, The Ties Program founders, adoptees and their loved ones formed Gift of Identity to help adoptees offset the costs of heritage travel. Today, we remain committed to looking for new ways to assist with the financial burden of heritage travel to ensure that more adoptees are able to make this dream a reality.
Last year, Ties Program Manager, Rebecca Blessing and CH/LSS’s Senior Director of Adoption & Foster Care Services, Kristina Berg connected at the National Council for Adoption Conference, the two developed a highly impactful plan to help adoptees and their loved ones. The idea was simple and the plan has the potential to change lives: CH/LSS would provide funds to adoptees and their loved ones through their Post Adoption Support Fund for heritage travel, including Ties trips. Over the next several months the two organizations fleshed out the details.
Today, we’re excited and proud to announce two families traveling this summer through our signature Heritage trips to Colombia and China are recipients of CHS/LSS grant funding!
Who Can Apply:
Adoptees and loved ones who used Children’s Home Society of MN, Lutheran Social Services of MN, or any Contracted Organization listed here for their adoption placement or home study.
Adoptees and their loved ones traveling with The Ties Program on trips that do not conflict with the heritage trip service CH/LSS provides.
What the Funds Cover: Payments are made directly to The Ties Program—funds will not be issued to adoptees or families. The fund covers The Ties Program service fees only. Grants cannot be used for airfare or other travel related experiences.
When to Apply: Adoptees and loved ones can apply at any time before they travel; funds come directly from CH/LSS to The Ties Program, so it’s recommended to apply prior to paying all invoices. Applications are reviewed every 2-4 weeks and evaluated based on need. Funds are distributed on a rolling basis so apply early!
How to Apply: If you are already planning on traveling with The Ties Program, we recommend reaching out to your Program Manager first to get more detailed information about the application process. Complete the Service Request Form on CH/LSS’s website, which includes a request section. This form allows Children’s Home to verify that CH/LSS (or a contacting organization) assisted in some way in the adoption and collect the necessary information in order to approve funds.
From all of us at The Ties Program and CH/LSS — we’re so excited to walk alongside you on your journey.
If you or your loved one is dreaming of heritage travel but wondering how to make it possible, this grant opportunity might be the support you need.
Reach out with questions and take the next step toward a powerful and personal connection to your roots.
Contact a Program Manager Today!
We’re here for you — every step of the way.
