Mission
Kindred’s initiative is to provide international and domestic adoptees and their families (both adoptive and biological) with services such as travel, translation, and support for those who wish to reunite; easily accessible hotlines; introduction to art and encouragement of artistic expression; and programs set in native countries to aid orphans living within the foster care and government systems. No matter how big or small the need, the foundation’s goal is to aid adoptees and their families in finding stability and happiness.
Love and family is extendable not only to those with whom we share our DNA, but to whomever we choose to accept into our lives.
In 2013, Samantha and Anaïs Bordier discovered that they were identical twin sisters separated at birth. When their story garnered worldwide attention, the twins heard countless stories about the joys and hardships experienced by fellow adoptees. Samantha knew she needed to use her new insight to aid adoptees and their families in a myriad of situations. She then reached out to fellow Korean American adoptee Jenna Ushkowitz for help.
From an early age, Samantha and Jenna possessed a unique bond as they grew up auditioning as actors alongside each other in New York City. Discovering their shared status as young female adoptees in the entertainment business, the girls developed an enduring friendship. Jenna enthusiastically joined Samantha to co-found Kindred, beginning their journey into advocacy for adoption.
Who We Are
Samantha | Co-Founder
Samantha Futerman is a Korean American adoptee. Born in Busan, South Korea, Samantha was adopted by a loving family in Verona, New Jersey through Spence Chapin Adoption Services and the Social Welfare Society. She was raised with two older brothers, her parents’ biological sons.
Samantha began performing during her childhood and continued to pursue her talents while attending high school at the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City, and eventually graduating with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University. In 2011, Samantha moved to Los Angeles to further her acting career. Her entire life changed in February of 2013 when she discovered that she had an identical twin sister. This remarkable experience ignited a desire in Samantha to explore the world of adoption by assisting fellow adoptees and their surrounding communities. Growing up without the insight of other adoptees, she wanted to share a positive outlook on adoption and explore the ways in which family is deeper than DNA.
Jenna | Co-Founder
Jenna Ushkowitz is a Korean American adoptee from Seoul, South Korea who was adopted at 3 months old through Love the Children Adoption Agency. She grew up in East Meadow, New York with her parents Brad and Judi Ushkowitz, and an older brother, Gregg. As a child, Jenna worked in the entertainment industry acting in commercials, Broadway and television. She attended Holy Trinity High School, known for its prestigious theatre program, and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2007 with a BA in Theatre Performance. After performing in Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” Jenna landed a role on the hit show “Glee” in 2008 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams in television and film. In 2014, Jenna was approached by friend Samantha Futerman with an amazing story on her own adoption. Knowing that not all adoptees had the same comfortable experience as herself and Samantha, the women felt compelled to take action by creating an inspiring resource for other adoptees so they know they are not alone, no matter what their personal journey has been.
Be Brave!
We all have an adoption story, don’t we? Most of us understand that family isn’t only defined by blood. Family is the place where we are fully known, fully loved. I’ve experienced this in many forms and have learned that sometimes even your blood...My Adoption Story
“When did you find out you were adopted?” as the saying goes. If I had a dollar for every time that question was asked of me; the answer is always the same – even when I was very young, “I never didn’t know.” Being adopted is a part of who I am, it was woven in to the...Where Are You From?
Over the past few years, the question that I have gotten most frequently when first meeting someone is, “Where are you from?” This single question and the response that I could give are more complex than the person asking could ever know. Usually, my response is “I’m...
Donate
Help us by donating!! Your donations will aid adoptees both domestically and worldwide. The libertex platform 2022 users can donate through cryptocurrencies also. We understand that several people do not want to disclose their identities for donation. Such people can choose cryptocurrency transactions.
We are a registered 501(c)3 corporation and all contributions are tax deductible. Our Federal ID number is: 46-5627926
OK! I'll help!
