Project for Awesome 2026 — Vote for KKOOM

Graphic featuring the Project for Awesome 2026 logo on the left, with illustrated characters snorkeling and holding a camera, and the KKOOM logo on the right. The two circular logos are displayed side by side on a light blue and green, ocean-themed background with fish and water patterns.

You Can Support KKOOM in Under 2 Minutes — Just by Voting! Did you know there’s a simple way to support KKOOM that takes less than two minutes?   KKOOM has been accepted into Project for Awesome (P4A) 2026, a global fundraising event where thousands of people come together to support charities making a real […]

Turning Korean Lunar New Year Traditions Into Hope and Connection

Red illustrated envelope with Korean text reading “Happy Seollal,” symbolizing Korean Lunar New Year blessings and new beginnings.

In Korea, Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) is a time of reflection, respect, and togetherness. Homes are filled with the smell of tteokguk (떡국), a traditional Korean soup made with sliced rice cakes in a savory broth. Elders offer blessings, and children bow to show respect to their elders as the year begins with gratitude […]

On a Mission to Plan the Perfect Holiday Party

Four children wearing sweaters with heart designs stand on stage in front of a colorful Christmas-themed backdrop. Their faces are covered with flower stickers, and holiday decorations fill the background.

Spreading Joy, Building Tradition As we enter fall and the end of the year draws near, we’re reflecting on the impact your support has made and the dreams it continues to nurture. Thanks to your generosity, students in Korea’s social welfare system have explored their creativity, traveled to new cities, pursued master’s degrees, stayed active […]

Welcoming the Youngest Children with Care

A close-up photo of bright yellow and orange cosmos flowers in a garden, with the text “WELCOME BOOST FUNDRAISER” centered in white bold letters.

A 6-month-old baby has just arrived at a KKOOM-supported children’s home with nothing but the clothes on her back.   Earlier this year, we raised our Welcome Boost Fund from $150 to $200. Now, recognizing the greater needs of infants and toddlers who often arrive with nothing and with rising costs, we have increased the […]

Welcome Boost Fund for 4 Newly Arrived Children

A close-up photo of green hellebore flowers in bloom, with the text “WELCOME BOOST FUNDRAISER” centered in white bold letters.

We have received word that four children have newly arrived at one of the children’s homes we support, all ranging from 12-months-old to 7-years-old. It also includes two siblings, a 5-year-old girl and a 7 year-old boy. The Welcome Boost Fund is an opportunity for KKOOM to provide $150 to the house mother. By purchasing […]

Fulbright Korea Alumni Receive Grant to Support KKOOM’s Mission!

Two women sit on each side of a man in a blue blazer, all smiling at the camera. The women wear casual summer clothing, and the room has large windows in the background.

KKOOM is excited to announce that we have partnered with two Fulbright alumni who received a grant from the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF). The project, “Dream(꿈)ing for a Brighter Future,” was one of the 43 winners selected for the 2024 CDAF grant out of hundreds of applications. CDAF is sponsored by the U.S. Department […]

KKOOM’s First Wish

A volunteer dressed as Santa poses beside a young child holding a wrapped Christmas gift. The child’s face is covered with a flower sticker, and the backdrop features holiday decorations.

The origins of KKOOM began with one simple wish—to bring Christmas cheer to youth living in a children’s home in Gumi, South Korea. In 2004, Aimee Jachym, KKOOM’s Co-founder, was serving as a Fulbright English Teacher and spent her free time volunteering at a local children’s home. Aimee, along with Erika (KKOOM’s other co-founder) and […]

From Vision to Reality

A large group of young adults, dressed in semi-formal black and white attire with name tags, pose together for a cheerful group photo at an indoor event. One woman in the front playfully extends her arms while wearing a sash that reads “Miss Universe.” Everyone is smiling and gathered closely, creating a warm, lively atmosphere.

When I became the Executive Director of KKOOM in October 2020, one of my big goals was to plan an in-person event in Atlanta. KKOOM is very unique in that we’ve been in existence since 2007, but for fifteen years, we never hosted an event in the United States, until 2023. That vision in 2020 […]