Our Story
We have been empowering adoptees and their loved ones through transformative heritage experiences since 1994
The Ties Program began as a dream in Becca Piper's living room over 30 years ago. During her college years, Becca led international groups of teachers seeking continuing education credits. By the early 90s, Becca, now married and a mother of two adopted children, was deeply immersed in the adoption community. Despite parents urging her to lead trips to their children's birth countries, Becca initially hesitated, citing her expertise in travel rather than identity development. However, her passion for adoption led her to delve into research on the topic, setting the stage for the program's evolution.
In 1993, Becca took the courageous step of launching Korean Ties, only to postpone the trip due to escalating tensions between North and South Korea. However, in 1994, undeterred by challenges of worsening relations, families were determined to proceed with the journey. Remarkably, on the same day Jimmy Carter flew to Seoul to ease tensions, the first Korean Ties families embarked on their transformative trip.
The experience left Becca profoundly moved, leading her to rename the program "The Ties Program—Korea and Beyond" as a testament to its expanded scope and potential to impact the lives of international adoptees and their families. Concurrently, while teaching at a technical college, Becca encountered her star student, Bea Evans, who she couldn't initially approach due to conflict of interest. Nevertheless, after grades were submitted, Becca invited Bea to join her for coffee, sparking a collaboration that has since defined the program's success.
Bea joined The Ties Program in late 1994, and worked tirelessly and with passion for 30 years. Becca and Bea emphasized the importance of including adult adoptees in the office and as part of the adjunct travel staff from the very beginning. They remained committed to this vision and as time passed, more adult adoptees joined the staff, serving as role models for younger adoptees and contributing significantly to the development of programs.