For Steve and Karen Kowalke, Children’s Home isn’t just a part of their story—it is their story.
“We have four children, all adopted from South Korea through Children’s Home,” Karen shared. “From the start, it wasn’t about not being able to have biological children—it was about becoming a family.”
Madison, Holden, Alex and Nicole
Over the course of a decade, their family grew: Alex, Madison, Nicole, and Holden joined the Kowalkes as infants and preschoolers. Steve remembers the whirlwind of picking up their first son at the airport with only a few hours’ notice. For their second set of adoptions, they traveled to Korea—an experience that deepened their respect for Korean culture and helped them prepare for parenting older children who spoke little or no English.
Knowing that language would be a barrier, Karen took a hands-on approach. She asked a South Korean colleague to help her learn what she called “mom Korean.” “I didn’t need to know formal Korean—I needed to know how to say things like ‘put your shoes on’ and ‘are you hungry?’” she said. “It was a lifesaver for those first few months!”
As their family grew, so did their commitment to Children’s Home. Steve served on the board, later becoming board chair and interim CEO. He’s now consulting on the upcoming merger with Lutheran Social Service. “It was a no-brainer to offer my time,” he said. “Children’s Home gave us our family. Of course I want to give back.”
Karen has supported the organization in quiet but powerful ways—speaking to prospective adoptive parents, organizing fundraisers, and staying involved in community support work.
“We believe strongly in giving back,” said Steve. “Children’s Home is one of our top charitable priorities.” When asked why they give their time and resources, Steve paused, his voice cracking:
“Because every child deserves a family.”
