CONNECTING
OUR COMMUNITY
Korean Adoptees Together, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in Jacksonville, Florida. We hope to inspire and support Korean Adoptees through meet-ups and events throughout the year.
Our mission is to foster communication and support among Korean Adoptees and provide a safe haven for facilitating connections, embracing the diversity of experiences and perspectives, and to celebrate a strong sense of identity as individuals and as a community. Our vision is to provide more opportunities and access for Korean Adoptees to build relationships and participate in meaningful experiences in the Southeastern U.S.
Social media has brought many of us together virtually, and we hope to strengthen those bonds with more face-to-face gatherings. We are currently hosting an exciting, in-person, spotlight event, “Acknowledging the Adoptee Experience,” in Jacksonville on November 16, 2024. We look forward to collaborating with other organizations who support adoptees and the broader Korean American community. Join us as we come together to celebrate and connect our fellow Korean Adoptees.
Amy Gilbert
President
Amy was born with the name Kim, Hui Ra, in Seoul, South Korea. She is the author of Becoming Korean: A Memoir, which shares the story of her adoption as a child into a white American family and her recent discovery and reconnection with her Korean culture and birth family. Amy has served as a board member in several national and local non-profit organizations. In addition to being the President of Korean Adoptees Together, Inc., she is the Director of the Jacksonville Korean Education Center and teaches a Korean language beginner course.
Heidi Cabral
Treasurer
Heidi was adopted at six months old and grew up in South Carolina with her younger sister who is also adopted from Korea. Uniquely, they had an aunt and uncle that were among the First Wave of adoptees from Korea. As an adult, she is excited to embrace her Korean heritage as she learns more about the culture and language. Part of that growing experience has included meeting up with the local Jacksonville Korean Adoptee (KAD) group. She is excited to bring more KADs together in a loving community to support each other.
Christina Bradford
Secretary
Christina was adopted at nine months old to her family in South Florida, which included an older brother who is also a Korean adoptee. In 2018, Christina connected with a small but vibrant local Korean Adoptee group in Jacksonville, FL. Her interest in Korean history, culture, and food blossomed over the course of many wonderful get-togethers and shared stories. She looks forward to organizing events that welcome and embrace KADs and to her continued involvement in such a special community.
Visiting another state or country and want to reach out to other Korean Adoptees? Locate a group at your destination here. Interested in learning Korean? You can also check out a list of recent in-person and online class offerings. We will continue to expand the Resources page to help Korean Adoptees find information and each other more easily. Please check back regularly for additions and updates.