Connection.
Healing. Empowerment.

The Empowered Adoptee Retreat is a transformative journey for Korean Adoptees of all genders to explore identity, heal in community, and learn tools to live life more empowered.

4 smiling Korean Adoptees hike through the Redwoods in California
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Current Retreats

April 25-28, 2025

Immerse yourself in a transformative four-day retreat in the serene setting of Lake Tahoe, California. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to ground yourself, learn valuable healing tools, explore your identity, and connect with a supportive community. Join us for an enriching experience that fosters personal growth and meaningful connections.

June 22-24, 2025

Join us in Atlanta, GA for our three-day summer Empowered Adoptee Retreat: Healing with Our Ancestors, designed to follow the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Network (KAAN) annual conference. This intimate and holistic retreat offers KAAN attendees and Korean adoptees of all genders a unique opportunity to integrate their experiences and continue their personal explorations in a nourishing environment.

Fall 2025

Fall Retreat Coming Soon

Check back for Date and Location announcement.

WHY CHOOSE US

A community where every story matters and every journey is supported.

The Empowered Adoptee Retreat is an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. We are dedicated to providing a transformative journey that empowers you to embrace your identity, build healthy relationships, and thrive as an adoptee.

Group Discussions

Foster meaningful connections, insights and belonging with others on a similar journey.

Expert-led Workshops

Proven strategies for healing and personal growth

Hollistic Wellness

Experience nourishment and healing for the heart, mind, body and soul.

Cultural Activities

Connecting to our heritage and identity through Korean cooking, tea ceremonies, music, dance and more!

Two Korean Adoptee women share a laugh, holding journals at a movement workshop
WHY CHOOSE US

Don't take our word for it. Take theirs.

Read what past attendees are saying about The Empowered Adoptee Retreat.

Lynn Murphy
San Francisco, CA

"Let me acknowledge how well organized and how much thought and preparation was put into the epic weekend: from the location to the meals to the handmade gifts, guided discussions and exercises."

Spring 2024
Retreat Participant
Dallas, TX

"I experienced a feeling of deep connection and bonding via innovative healing modalities, some familiar and some new. There is no substitution for healing in community with life journey peers. If you want to feel seen and heard, be exposed to eclectic healing modalities and to discover another layer within yourself in a supportive environment, attend this retreat. For KADs by KADs only.”

Spring 2024
Kyungmi Bostelman
San Francisco, CA

"The Empowered Adoptee retreat had it all. I loved being in community with fellow Korean Adoptees and hearing all of our individual life stories, while drinking wine and eating delicious food! All of the healing practitioners are experienced, compassionate, and excellent coaches.

I left the retreat feeling inspired, encouraged, and hopeful and I continue to practice EFT and somatic breathwork in my daily life."

Spring 2024
Kim Stevens
Vienna, VA

"I really found the somatic breath and EFT work very helpful. I thought the discussions were insightful and the flow of the weekend was just right."

Fall 2024

Our Team.

Claire Magenheimer is a certified Jay Shetty Empowerment Coach and Somatic Breathwork Practitioner with a mission deeply rooted in empowering individuals who have experienced adoption, especially in the context of transracial and transnational adoption. As a Korean adoptee herself, Claire possesses a profound understanding of the unique emotional journey that adoptees face.
Claire Magenheimer

Claire is a certified Jay Shetty Empowerment Coach and Somatic Breathwork Practitioner with a mission deeply rooted in empowering individuals who have experienced adoption, especially in the context of transracial and transnational adoption. As a Korean adoptee herself, Claire possesses a profound understanding of the unique emotional journey that adoptees face.

Laurie Vogler is a Bay Area based speaker, teacher and healer. Professionally facilitating healing for over 20 years as a Reiki Master, Emotional Freedom Technique Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist. With deep love and soul purpose she teaches others how to create sacred space and deepens one’s connection and healing with oneself.
Laurie Vogler

Laurie is a Bay Area based speaker, teacher and healer. Professionally facilitating healing for over 20 years as a Reiki Master, Emotional Freedom Technique Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist. With deep love and soul purpose she teaches others how to create sacred space and deepens one’s connection and healing with oneself.

Laurie Vogler is a Bay Area based speaker, teacher and healer. Professionally facilitating healing for over 20 years as a Reiki Master, Emotional Freedom Technique Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist. With deep love and soul purpose she teaches others how to create sacred space and deepens one’s connection and healing with oneself.
Jolie Wermter

As a bi-racial daughter of a Korean adoptee, Jolie channels her passion for identity into her work designing inclusive experiences. She utilizes her expertise in user research and workshop moderation to work at the cross-section of new ideas and social impact.

Jolie Wermter is a bi-racial daughter of a Korean adoptee. She channels her passion for identity into her work designing inclusive experiences. She utilizes her expertise in user research and workshop moderation to work at the cross-section of new ideas and social impact.
Hollee A. McGinnis, Ph.D, MSW
also-known-as Lee Hwa Young

Hollee is a professor, scholar, writer and healer living in Richmond, VA. In addition to being adopted from Korea, she has almost 30 years of community organizing, policy, and research experience on adoption, complex trauma, and identity. Trained in child and adolescent mental health and a long time yoga, tai chi qigong, reiki (I & II), meditation and shamanic practitioner, she integrates western and eastern ancestral wisdoms for transformation and healing. 

Learn more

Explore your options.

Includes all meals and wellness activities
Access to all amenities
Complimentary welcome gift
Transport provided to nearby transit hubs
April 25-28, 2025

Empowered Community Retreat

A transformative four-day retreat for Korean Adoptees of all genders in Lake Tahoe, California.

Learn more
June 22-24, 2025

Kimchi Healing Retreat

A three-day retreat following the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Network (KAAN) conference in Atlanta, GA.

Learn more