Minnesota is home to one of the highest concentrations of Korean adoptees in the United States.
It’s also home to the Adoptee Hub, a volunteer-run nonprofit that teaches native language classes and offers birth family reunification support.
And in January, they issued a powerful statement as ICE continued to ramp up its presence in their state.
“In light of the recent act of violence we have witnessed in our city of Minneapolis, we feel compelled to pause and speak directly to the adoptee community both in Minneapolis and across the country,” the organization wrote on its website.
“Our community has always been rooted in resilience, connection and care for one another. As a small nonprofit serving Korean and transracial adoptees, we want to remind our community to remain vigilant, aware and mindful of personal safety.”
“Transracial adoptees often navigate the world at the intersection of race, identity and belonging,” they continued. “This reality can sometimes make us more visible or vulnerable. We encourage everyone to trust their instincts, look out for one another and prioritize their well-being. Staying informed, setting boundaries and seeking support when something feels off are acts of strength—not fear.”
The nonprofit also hosted local “Know Your Rights” training classes led by the American Civil Liberties Union.
“We remain committed to creating spaces that are affirming, safe and grounded in mutual respect,” the Adoptee Hub stated. “Let us continue to show up for one another by giving ourselves grace, compassion and solidarity.”
Their latest efforts have been focused on community safety in times of violence, but the Adoptee Hub is most widely known for its joyous annual Kimchi Festival.
Each year, the ever-expanding organization offers cooking classes through the Korean American Women’s Association, runs kimchi cook-offs, and hosts a lineup of local food trucks that serve up “Korean-style” snacks.
And every year, the crowd grows as people gather and bond over delicious, red-peppered cabbage.
“Kimchi is a staple food for the Korean community,” Adoptee Hub founder Ami Nafzger told the Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom based in Minnesota.
“It’s what you eat every single day. With every single meal, three meals a day, you have kimchi with it. What better way of understanding the culture that you were born into, but not raised into, [than] through food?”
For local Korean adoptee Max Halverson, volunteering at the festival has been transformative.
“Growing up, my mom wasn’t into Korean culture,” Halverson said. “We didn’t really follow it that much [and] I haven’t been that knowledgeable. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown more curious about Korean culture. … So when I met Ami, I thought it would just be a great opportunity for me to make connections within the Korean community.”
A version of this article originally appeared in the 2025 Food Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image via Resilient Return Counseling Solutions (CC BY-NC 4.0)
