Education South Korea Project #8013

Support for Korean Youth Aging Out of Care

by Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission

Project Report | Oct 27, 2026
Our U.S. College Scholar Taehyeon has Graduated!

By Vivian Hark | Admin and Operations Coordinator

We are so excited to announce that our U.S. College Scholar, Taehyeon, has graduated from Baruch College with a degree in Finance! Throughout his time in college, Taehyeon balanced a rigorous degree with the challenges of studying abroad in a new country, demonstrating his great determination. We could not be prouder of all he has accomplished.

The Impact of KKOOM’s Support

KKOOM’s scholarship helped ease financial burden, allowing Taehyeon to focus on his academics and pursue professional opportunities. In Taehyeon’s own words, “(this) scholarship helped give me confidence to navigate challenges I faced as an international student. KKOOM's support showed me that people care about my success, not just my grades. That acknowledgment transformed how I saw myself.”

Reflecting on his journey, Taehyeon shared that he has become more confident, independent, and intentional about his future. He also found a sense of belonging through his church community, which offered friendship and support throughout his time in the United States.

Looking Ahead

Taehyeon dreams of building a career in finance and lending, eventually he wants to start his own business and give back to other young people. Having experienced the impact of support firsthand, he hopes to help others the way KKOOM has helped him.

“KKOOM is no longer just an organization, it’s our family.”

Taehyeon has been part of KKOOM since childhood, creating memories through Christmas celebrations, Seoul trips, and other shared experiences. As he begins this next chapter, we are grateful to have been part of his journey and look forward to seeing all he accomplishes.

Congratulations, Taehyeon!

Want to learn more? Read the full blog post on our website!

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Jul 13, 2026
Third Spaces, Full Hearts

By Leah Garlock | Executive Director

A look back, new photos soon on social media!

Coming into my role as Executive Director this year, my goal was to meet with our children's homes, our KKOOM community, and our aged-out youth on a deeper level. Before planning anything, I go straight to the source, and straight to the people we're actually working with and supporting. That instinct comes from my background as a UX/UI designer. Understanding needs and challenges has always been my first step, no matter what I'm building.

Sitting down with those who support our aged-out youth day to day, one thing became clear fast. Young people still need community even after they leave the children's homes. The Korean government helps get them on their feet right when they leave, and many settle into work or school within a few months. Even so, what I kept hearing over and over is that they're also craving third spaces, places just for recreation and socializing that have nothing to do with school or work.

That's stuck with me ever since. Internally and with our community partners, we've been talking through ways to bring them into the KKOOM events and programs we already run. However, we've also been intent on building something newer, something catered just to them.

I remember that stretch after high school and college myself, the limbo where you're still figuring things out once the round-the-clock structure of school disappears. Young people at this stage still need mentors and community. Sometimes that means helping them face something new. Sometimes it just means simply being there, or providing opportunities for new memories to be made.

A Weekend of Service

In Korea, especially for youth who grew up in children's homes, chances to volunteer are less common. This past weekend gave us a chance to change that.

As one of the new opportunities we're dreaming up for our aged-out youth, we brought young adults who've aged out of care, along with a few high school students, to serve at another children's home we support. That home cares for youth and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, and the staff there provide extraordinary around-the-clock care. Our group cleaned rooms and served lunch, easing that day’s workload for the staff who work there.

In addition, we also arranged food delivery, t-shirts for the volunteers who pitched in, and a drink vendor food truck. The truck even had kombucha, which is becoming more popular and easier to find here.

Everyone left happy and full, literally and figuratively. Watching our aged-out youth, the high school students, and their adult mentors show up for others on a Saturday was a privilege. It felt full circle, and it's exactly the kind of moment we hope to keep creating.

Updates on Taehyeon, Our KKOOM U.S. College Scholar

Taehyeon is doing well. He had to extend his coursework into the summer to finish classes he couldn't take during the year. General education credit standards differ between South Korea and the U.S., so some of his credits from the University of Ulsan didn't transfer to Baruch College. We've been covering his living costs while other organizations help with tuition, and we expect him to graduate as soon as the term ends. He's already applying for finance jobs and interviewing. Please keep rooting for him!

Looking Ahead

We're hoping to support more college students. Updates to come as we rebuild our internal policies and application process, all in an effort to keep financial support flowing to young people as they enter adulthood.

A Reminder: GlobalGiving Bonus Day

GlobalGiving Bonus Day runs July 15 at 10am EDT through July 16 at 10am EDT. Donations of $100 or more, up to $1,500 per unique donor, qualify for incentivized matching funds, and every participating organization receives bonus amounts on top of that. If you're able, please consider contributing and help us spread the word!

We are grateful for your support. Thank you for standing behind KKOOM and the youth we serve. It's a hot one out there this summer. Stay cool, stay hydrated. We'll be back in touch with more updates in a few months.

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Mar 16, 2026
Updates on Taehyeon's Progress

By Leah Garlock | Executive Director

Taehyeon prepares to graduate this spring semester

Earlier this year, we checked in with Taehyeon as part of his January mid-year progress report. As he enters his final semester of college, Taehyeon is focusing on strengthening his skills, preparing for his future career, and making the most of the opportunities made possible through the KKOOM scholarship.

Academics

Last semester, Taehyeon completed a full course load that included Business Law, Accounting, Economics, Communication, and Computer & Information Systems Technologies. Among these, Economics 4000 stood out as his favorite class. He particularly enjoyed exploring how economic theories connect to real-world situations and financial decision-making.

At the same time, the semester also presented challenges. Accounting 3000, an advanced course designed for accounting majors, proved to be the most difficult. Because Taehyeon is majoring in Finance, many of the accounting concepts were unfamiliar and required additional effort to master. To stay on track, he regularly studied with classmates and asked questions to deepen his understanding.

Despite these challenges, Taehyeon reports that his classes are going well. This spring semester, he is especially excited to take more finance-focused courses, where he hopes to further develop his analytical skills and gain a deeper understanding of financial decision-making.

Preparing for the Future

With graduation approaching later this year, Taehyeon is beginning to focus on the next stage of his journey. His primary goal is to secure a job in the finance field. This semester, he has started preparing for interviews and professional certification exams that will help support his career goals.

The Impact of the Scholarship

The KKOOM scholarship continues to play an important role in supporting Taehyeon’s daily life while he focuses on his studies. The funds help cover essential living expenses such as groceries, transportation, and other everyday needs.

Recently, Taehyeon faced an additional challenge when he needed to move apartments in New York City. The move brought significant costs, including deposits and moving expenses. With KKOOM’s support, he was able to navigate this transition and reduce the financial stress that often accompanies housing changes.

Without the scholarship, Taehyeon shared that he likely would have needed to seek additional work while studying. Instead, this support allows him to remain focused on his academic progress while continuing to save carefully for future expenses.

Mentorship and Community

This year has also brought meaningful professional connections. Since the beginning of the fall semester, Taehyeon has connected with a mentor in the finance field who has helped guide his career development. Through this mentorship, he has received advice, attended networking events, and gained insight into potential career paths within the industry.

Outside of his academic and professional goals, Taehyeon enjoys going to the gym and spending time with friends, activities that help him maintain balance during a demanding final year of college.

A Message of Gratitude

In his mid-year check-in, Taehyeon shared his sincere gratitude for the KKOOM supporters who make this scholarship possible. He noted that the scholarship not only provides financial assistance, but also gives him the confidence and motivation to continue pursuing his academic and professional goals.

As he prepares to graduate and begin his career, Taehyeon remains committed to working hard, staying disciplined, and using his education to positively impact his community in the future.

Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity helps students like Taehyeon pursue their education and future careers with greater stability and confidence.

Stay tuned for more updates from students in KKOOM’s U.S. College Scholarship Program.

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