Help Korea's Care Leavers Start Life with Hope

Taking the First Step Toward Independence, Together

For young people who have grown up without parental care, starting adulthood can mean facing many challenges alone. Finding a home, paying rent, continuing education, preparing for employment, and managing everyday life can be overwhelming without the support of a family.

Thanks to the generous support of GlobalGiving donors, ChorogUsan raised $1,688 to support care leavers as they took their first steps toward independent living. This support provided practical resources, opportunities for employment preparation, and meaningful relationships that helped young people build more stable and hopeful futures.

Turning Donations into Support

The donations were used to help care leavers address the challenges they face when beginning independent life.

Support included:

• Practical support: independent living grants, first-home furniture and essential household items, emergency living expenses, education and certification costs
• Employment support: professional suits and opportunities to prepare for employment
• Emotional and social support: mentoring, motivation programs, and peer networking activities

These supports helped care leavers establish more stable living environments, prepare for employment and education, and build supportive relationships with peers who understand their experiences.

Kanghyuk: “I Stopped Thinking That I Was Different From Everyone Else.”

Kanghyuk Kim, a care leaver, experienced significant uncertainty while preparing to live independently.

“I often wondered why I didn't have parents and felt that I was different from other people. When I started thinking about living on my own, I worried about how I would manage rent of around KRW 500,000 every month while also repaying my loans. Even now, I have many moments when I wonder whether I should continue studying or start working.”

Through ChorogUsan, Kanghyuk was able to explore more affordable housing options and participate in programs where he met other young people with similar experiences.

“As I participated in ChorogUsan's programs and met and talked with friends who had grown up in similar circumstances, I gradually stopped thinking that I was different from everyone else.”

Meeting peers with similar experiences helped Kanghyuk feel understood and less alone. 

Minseo: A Safe Place to Begin

Minseo, who was beginning independent life, received essential furniture and household items, including a bed, desk, and bedding, through the support of our donors.

For a young person moving into their first home, these items are more than everyday necessities. A safe and stable living environment provides an important foundation for starting a new life and focusing on education, employment, and future goals.

The support helped Minseo reduce the financial burden of setting up a home and begin independent living in a more stable environment.

Dongho: “Independence Does Not Mean Standing Alone.”

ChorogUsan also supports care leavers through “Cheongha,” a peer support group where young people with similar experiences can meet, share their stories, and support one another.

Through Cheongha, participants exchange their experiences, build connections, and develop a better understanding of the challenges faced by care leavers. These relationships provide emotional comfort and help young people feel less alone.

ChorogUsan held the Cheongha peer support group twice between 2023 and 2025, and thanks to continued donor support, the program will continue this year.

Dongho, a participant in Cheongha, shared:

“Through Cheongha, I learned that independence does not mean having to endure everything alone.”

For young people who have often felt that they had to handle everything by themselves, meeting peers who understand their experiences can be a powerful source of strength.

Every First Step Matters

For care leavers, independence is not simply about living on their own. It is also about having a safe place to live, opportunities to pursue employment and education, and people they can turn to when life becomes difficult.

The $1,688 raised through GlobalGiving helped care leavers take meaningful first steps toward independence—with practical resources, opportunities to prepare for their futures, and relationships that reminded them they were not alone.

Each form of support made a difference: a stable home for Minseo, greater confidence and connection for Kanghyuk, and a supportive community for Dongho.

ChorogUsan will continue to stand alongside care leavers as they build independent and hopeful lives.

Together, we can make their first steps toward independence safer, stronger, and less lonely.