KAtCH exists primarily to support and serve the adult Korean adoptee and transnational adoptee communities in the Chicagoland area, building positive connections and a networking within the larger transracial adoptee and Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. KAtCH’s goal is to create a welcoming space for members of our community where they can connect, learn, grow, give back, and build awareness around issues related to transracial adoption, AAPI experiences, and multiculturalism. We engage our network through monthly social, cultural, and educational events, and offer volunteer and mentoring opportunities throughout the year. We also engage in advocacy to directly support our community. KAtCH is a member of International Korean Adoptee Associations (IKAA).

Photography Disclosure

KAtCH takes photos at events for marketing materials and annual reporting for funders. By attending this event, you are agreeing to be captured in these photos for public use. If you do not want to be photographed, please let the event host know upon your arrival.

Anti-Harassment Policy

KAtCH is dedicated to providing a fun, welcoming, respectful, and harassment-free experience for everyone at all of our events, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of participants or unwelcome behavior in any form. KAtCH members or event attendees violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the group at the discretion of the KAtCH board.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion

- Sexual images in public spaces

- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following

- Harassing photography or recording

- Sustained disruption of talks or other events Inappropriate physical contact

- Unwelcome sexual attention

- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

Exception: Discussion or images related to sex, pornography, discriminatory language, or similar is welcome if it is necessary to the topic of discussion, it is presented in a respectful manner, and attendees are warned in advance. (Example: discussion of racial or gender-based stereotypes might come up in the context of a discussion group about participants’ experience with racism in dating/relationships.)

Unwelcome behavior includes actions that disrupt an event, disturb fellow attendees, or disrespect the venue or staff. Participants who choose to drink alcohol at a KAtCH event are responsible for staying within their limits and continuing to adhere by this policy.

Participants asked to stop any harassment or unwelcome behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassment or unwelcome behavior, KAtCHevent organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender, expulsion from the event with no refund, and/or barring the offender from future events.

Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all KAtCH event venues and KAtCH-related social activities.

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to a member of the KAtCH board.

This policy is adapted from Boston Korean Adoptees (BKA).

Connect and Reflect