Jonathan's Korean Adoption Birthland Trip

Dear friends, family, and loved ones,

My name is Jonathan; many of you know me as a pastor, a social worker, avid Michigan fan, and... as is most relevant for this post, a Korean-adoptee.

I was adopted from Seoul, South Korea when I was just three months old. While I've been incredibly fortunate to have adoptive parents who have loved me unconditionally, exposed me to my Korean heritage, and never stopped my questioning and curiosity about where I came from, I've increasingly felt a calling to return to the place of my birth in the last few years. Unfortunately, attempts in the past were never the right time, either because of my demanding academic journey, questionable legal status related to my nationality, or budding psychotherapy career.

In my psychotherapy work, I often encourage clients to become curious about their "family-of-origin." I've had the privilege of walking alongside countless other clients and congregants, many of whom are adoptees or have experienced cut-off of their own. Now, I have the opportunity to finally explore my own roots. This past year, I was graciously awarded a scholarship by AdopteeBridge, one of the only agencies that provides post-adoption services for Korean adoptees, that is also specifically run by Korean adoptees. They have graciously provided me some of the funds I need to travel to Korea this summer, June 9-21.

I'm asking for support in raising funds for this trip; to help me be a better social worker for my clients by helping me understand myself. Transracial international adoption is an incredibly complicated experience. I've come to understand ways that this has been a traumatizing experience for me (in spite of incredibly loving and kind adoptive parents, who are fully in support of me taking this trip!), and hope to use this trip as an opportunity to continue to heal some of these wounds.

I'm seeking to raise $3500; this will cover the following:

10% of all funds raised will be donated back to a local Korean agency in need while I am in country, particularly those who are providing resettlement funds for Korean adoptees who have returned home. Everything raised above the $3500 will be split between a donation back to AdopteeBridge to help fund scholarships for others and additional donations to in country agencies.

If you have any questions, please let me know! And if you're looking for any Korea-specific products while I am there... we can make that happen!

Thank you everyone for your love and support for me.

감사합니다 (Thank you!)

Jonathan