The Kindred Foundation, created by Jenna Ushkowitz and Samantha Futerman, had their second annual Gala in New York City this past Tuesday.
The Kindred Foundation is an organization which helps families, both biological and adoptive, and their adoptees, find “services such as travel, translation, and support for those who wish to reunite.” This incredible foundation was created in 2013 by best friends Jenna Ushkowitz and Samantha Futerman, who were both adopted from Korea into American families. “We are not trying to compete with other organizations,” co-founder Ushkowitz said, “it’s really about collaboration and finding out what the adoption community needs, and being that at that moment in time.” Futerman, the other co-founder was able to propel the two actresses into this world after finding her twin sister through the film “Twinsters.” Ushkowitz went on to explain that after this film project, the girls passions led them to this world, “We didn’t realized that not all adoptees didn’t have such a positive experience as we did.” Futerman, excitedly preparing for the event quickly said, “We weren’t even prepared for what we were doing, but we knew we had to do it, so there were no excuses. So we just had to go full force.”
Guests including Courtney Galiano, from NBC’s “Grease Live”, “The Knick’s” Colin Meath, and Bachelor contestant Caila Quinn attended the event, in support of their friends and the cause. “I heard about the foundation and was really moved by their story, ” Quinn shared. “I feel like a lot of people find their happiness and identity by knowing where they come from, so it’s amazing that they are providing families with the funds and the resources to have the ability to find where they come from or their adoptive children-really know where they came from.” The Bachelor contestant is currently back working in the business world, and ready to start dating again.
Having so many guests be part of the acting world of Hollywood and New York, Ushkowitz has found that her position as an actress and co-found of The Kindred Foundation, has allowed for a new platform of conversation. “In Hollywood, there is so much bad behavior being rewarded, so I look at it as a responsibility to be a role model for adoption, and for these girls and boys who look up to us, and related to us as underdogs on the show. So, I am really enjoying that side of seeing the positive of things.”
