2016
KACE ANNUAL REPORT
NY | 718 961 4117 NJ | 201 488 4201
info@KACE.org
KACE.org
KOREAN AMERICAN CIVIC EMPOWERMENT
Program Goals With the mission of empowerming the Korean American community by promoting civic engagement, KACE conducts various programs under the following four categories:
Voter Advocacy KACE advocates for the voting rights of Korean Americans through voter registration drives, “Get out the Vote” campaigns, exit polls, and through the operation of a year-round voter hotline. KACE has assisted more than 40,000 Korean American voters from New York and New Jersey.
Public Affairs KACE strives to service as the central coordination and resource body to address community concerns and resolve issues by delivering our community’s voice to the government on the local, state, and federal levels.
Public Affairs KACE seeks to:
1. Identify and address important issues of our communities. 2. Promote effective communication between our communities and their corresponding government offices. 3. Mobilize and enable our community to have its voice and concerns taken into consideration with civic matters.
Civic Education
U.S.-Korea Relations
KACE operates a number of diverse community education programs and provides the platform and tools needed for civic leadership development on the grassroots level.
KACE builds bridges to connect our homeland and motherland and strengthen their alliance.
Dear Friends, 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE). KACE is devoted to politically empowering and mobilizing the Korean American community to take actions locally, nationally, and internationally. By promoting civic participation at various levels, KACE seeks to further develop the Korean American community as a respected and responsible minority community in the United States. For the past 20 years, we have grown exponentially, started numerous programs, and achieved great progress for the Korean American community. We are grateful to our generous supporters—corporations, foundation, and individuals whose financial contributions support our work—Civic Development (8080 Campaign), Civic Education (grassroots youth internship), and Public affairs. Through these vital programs, we helped more than 40,000 Korean Americans in NY/NJ to become registered voters and provided hundreds of high school and college students with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective civic engagement.
Dongchan Kim President & Co-Founder
Our goal is to continue serving as a central coordination and resource body to address the concerns and interests of the Korean American community, and politically strengthen our community to have a stronger presence in the American mainstream society. Your continued support and trust will make this goal a tangible reality.
With our deepest gratitude,
Dongsuk Kim Chair, Executive Committee & Co-Founder
CIVIC EMPOWERMENT
Across the nation Pacific Northwest
University of Illinois
NORTHW
Mercer Island, WA May 28, 2016
Urbana-Champaign, IL April 7, 2016
Evansto April 8, September
UC BERKELEY
500+
Berkeley, CA March 3, 2016
Bay Area Foster City, CA March 4-5, 2016
2016 KAGC attendees
60+ universities represented by KAGC U attendees
10 school campuses across the nation visited
7 cities visited for Regional Seminars
UCLA Los Angeles, CA April 1-2, 2016
USC Los Angeles, CA April 1-2, 2016 September 27, 2016
Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA June 18, 2016
Orange County Garden Grove, CA June 17, 2016
UC San Diego San Diego, CA March 30, 2016
Austin
South Central
Austin, TX March 24, 2016
Houston, TX March 25-26, 2016
Districts from which Korean Americans participate in the Korean American Grass Districts from which Korean American students participate in KAGC U in 2016
Cities in which regional seminars for the Korean American Grassroots Conferenc Campuses in which voter registration drives and/or civic education seminars too
Midwest
OHIO STATE
Chicago, IL April 30, 2016
Columbus, OH March 23, 2016
WESTERN
on, IL , 2016 r 27, 2016
University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY September 27, 2016
HARVARD Cambridge, MA February 17, 2016 September 27, 2016
WELLESLEY Waltham, MA February 17, 2016 September 27, 2016
45 districts represented by KAGC attendees
56 districts represented by KAGC U attendees
AMHERST COLLEGE Amherst, MA September 27, 2016
Northeastern Fort Lee, NJ June 3-4, 2016
RUTGERS New Brunswick, NJ September 27, 2016
GEORGIA TECH
EMORY
Atlanta, GA February 24, 2016 September 27, 2016
Atlanta, GA February 24, 2016 September 27, 2016
sroots Conference (KAGC) in 2016
ce (KAGC) took place in 2016 ok place as part of KAGC U in 2016
15 districts represented by KAGC attendees
21 districts represented by KAGC U attendees
KOREAN AMERICAN CIVIC EMPOWERMENT
At a Glance Established in 1996, Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization devoted to mobilizing the Korean American community to take action locally, nationally, and internationally. KACE is committed to empowering the Korean American community by promoting higher citizenship and active civic engagement, more specifically, by advocating voting rights for Korean Americans; educating Korean American voters; developing future community leaders; strengthening the tie between the U.S. and Korea; and addressing issues of our community to the local, state, and federal governments.
40,000+ first-time Korean American voters have been registered with the assistance of KACE since 1996
KACE staff members at 2016 KAGC
In 2016
. launched KAGC U, an extension of KAGC for college students
. hosted KAGC regional seminars in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
200+ members of the U.S. Congress are engaged by KACE on Korean American issues on a regular basis
. hosted KAGC U seimnars and voter registration drives on-campus at universities across the nation
. answered over 1,000 voting-related inquiries . KACE Grassroots Interns assisted over 200 first-time voters
. held voter registration drives locally in New York and New Jersey
500+ grassroots activists from 20 states attended the 2016 Korean American Grassroots Conference
. 9th anniversary of “Comfort Women� Resolution . released annual voter data analysis and guidebooks
. held roundtable meetings with local elected officials Page 6 | 2016 KACE ANNUAL REPORT
As long as you’re engaged, the contributions of Korean Americans, which have played an important role in building, defending, and growing our country to what it is today, will not go unnoticed. I am proud to stand with you. I will continue to recognize positive impacts that all Korean Americans have had in our society.� Rep. Bill Pascrell at the 2016 KAGC Page | 2016KACE KACE ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT Page 5 |7 2016 REPORT
VOTER ADVOCACY INITIATIVES
8080 Campaign KACE conducts the 8080 Campaign year-round with the goal of increasing voter registration rate to 80% and voter turn-out rate to 80% in the Korean American community.
“The Korean American contribution is real and has made our community stronger, better, richer, more interesting. That’s the impact of this organization.” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D, VA-11)
SEMINARS
COMBATTING ISSUES FACED AT POLL SITES
KACE hosted two seminars in preparation for the
KACE addresses issues faced at poll sites by filing complaints to local board of elections on behalf of Korean American voters who
presidential elections in 2016 with: •Korean American Senior Citizens Society of Greater New York (KASCSNY) •Korean Community Services (KCS) Seminars provide prospective voters with assistance in registration and encourages voter turnout.
“GET OUT THE VOTE” CAMPAIGN
encounter unprofessional behavior from the poll site. In November 2015, KACE filed a complaint to the Nassau County Board of Elections and urged it to take preventative measures to avoid such violations in the future. Nassau County Board of Elections promised to intensify training of poll site volunteers and issued an official apology to the Korean American voters who encountered such an ordeal.
KACE participated in the “Get out the Vote” Campaign with local community members in an effort to encourage Korean Americans to vote in the New York State Primary Elections.
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VOTER ADVOCACY INITIATIVES
Voter Registration Drives
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES WERE HELD AT: •All Saints Episcopal Church •Senior Citziens Voters Federation of New York •Chodae Community Church, New Jersey •Suffolk County 8th Annual AAPI Heritage Month •2016 Flushing Autumn Festival •New Jersey Chuseok Festival •2016 Korean Parade •New York University •2016 Harvest Festival
1024
total inquiries answered in 2016
374
total voters served through the voter hotline
79
total voters served on the day of the General Election
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VOTER ADVOCACY INITIATIVES
8080 Campaign There is still the concern of accessibility of voter resources in the Korean American community. To tackle this issue, KACE is the only organization that offers an annual guidebook and data analysis in the Korean language for the Korean American community.
VOTER DATA ANALYSIS KACE conducted an analysis of the voter data to get a measure on the current status of Korean Americans’ political capability and to gather insight on how to register more Korean Americans to vote.
46,034
NEW YORK KA Citizens 18 years of age and older
NY KA Voter Registration Rate 65%
NY KA Voter Turnout Rate 8.2%
NEW JERSEY KA Citizens 18 years of age and older
total Korean American voters in 2016
2,300 total voter increase compared to 2015
28,571 total Korean American voters in 2016
NJ KA Voter Registration Rate 66%
NJ KA Voter Turn-out Rate 13%
2,365 total voter increase compared to 2015
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Voter Publications
The voter guide is a compilation of positions and candidates to be on the ballot in districts with a significant Korean American population. As part of our community education initiative, KACE has published the voter guide every year since 2012.
NEW YORK STATE PRIMARY
2016 GENERAL ELECTION
In light of the upcoming NY State Primary Election on September 13th, Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) published a voter guidebook that covers candidate and district profiles of NYS legislative districts with the most Korean American residents. (Senate Districts 5, 7, 11, 12, and 16 / Assembly Districts 13, 16, 25, 26, and 40)
On October 28th, 2016, KACE published the 2016 New York & New Jersey Voter Guide. The voter guidebook is an annual publication by KACE, with intentions of educating prospective voters.
This guidebook also includes a brief analysis of Korean American voters in each district.
In addition to the Presidential candidates for the General Election, KACE provided for in-depth information for other candidates on the ballots in both New York and New Jersey.
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Candidate Forum KACE hosts “Meet the Candidate” events and candidate debates every year to help keep our community informed and actively engaged in elections.
MEET THE CANDIDATE On October 17th, KACE hosted a “Meet the Candidate” with Josh Gottheimer for Congress, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District. NJ-5 is the second most Korean American voter population in New Jersey. Community members were presented with the opportunity to listen to Mr. Gottheimer introduce himself and his plan for the Korean American community in Bergen County and beyond at this event, and ask questions on issues that directly affect the Korean American community in New Jersey.
DISCUSSION 1. Introduction Mr. Gottheimer decided to run for office after feeling tired of the gridlock in Washington. He hopes to make a better government and work to represent the values of New Jersey and the 5th district. 2. Plan for small businesses Mr. Gottheimer has pledged to work to retain and attract large corporations in the district, without which the surrounding small businesses are affected immediately. He believes economy growth is driven by the private sector, and thus plans to keep government out of the way and use it only as a bridge to connect the right services to right vendors. 3. Plan for taxes Mr. Gottheimer is determined to work to bring back all the resources the district can receive to get the full value for the federal taxes paid by the 5th district. 4. Any committee of preference Mr. Gottheimer hopes to serve on the Financial Services Committee and Small Business Committee to help drive the economic growth. Also, he hopes to join the Intelligence Committee, as national security is one of the most important issues to him. Through his service on the committee, he would like to bolster the key relations with Israel and South Korea, both of which he described as "the crucial ally in the region." 5. Position on Comprehensive Immigration Reform He hopes to help pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform and is determined to stand up for immigrants and the marginalized of our society. 6. Any additional plan for the Korean American community Mr. Gottheimer said he really appreciates the hard work and ingenuity the Korean American community has shown and the contribution it has made to Bergen County and our country.
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Grassroots Internship An annual high school program designed to allow students to experience grassroots community organization first-hand by learning the history and current affairs of our community, meeting candidates, and visitng government offices on the local, state, and federal levels.
4TH ANNUAL ALUMNI NIGHT On June 1, 2016, KACE’s New Jersey office hosted the 4th annual “Alumni Night for Interns”. KACE’s past grassroots interns gathered at the event to celebrate their achievements and scholarships were rewarded to the most outstanding interns. 30 high school and college students attended the event. The students presented experiences they garnered through KACE’s grassroots internship program, and remarked on how such skills shaped their post-internship experiences and future plans.
2016 KACE GRASSROOTS INTERNSHIP A total of 34 high school students participated in the 2016 KACE Grassroots Internship program. 14 of these students partook in the New York program and 20 students in the New Jersey program. The internship initiated the last week of May and students were fully committed to 22 weeks of experiencing grassroots community organization first-hand. Of the 34 grassroots interns, 29 earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Grassroots Internship
"This experience was meaningful to me as a growing adult. It helped me become more aware of the issues involving our community and the importance of our actions. Especially in my 2nd year in the program this summer, I got to really appreciate the impact we can make from local to federal, regardless of age." Andrew, 2016 KACE Grassroots Intern
IN ONE YEAR
service hours completed by the 2016 Grassroots Interns service hours completed by the 2015 Grassroots Interns
6 201
5641
61.4% increase since 2015
3496
5
201
17
high schools represented in 2015
18
high schools represented in 2016
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Grassroots Internship VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES Grassroots interns ran daily voter registration drives, up to twice a day for a minimum of an hour each. Interns assisted and educated community members on the importance of voting.
200+
first-time voters registered by 2016 Grassroots Interns
TRIPS JULY KACE’s annual Grassroots Interns visited the New York City Hall on an invitation from Councilman Peter Koo (NY-20). KACE interns were also able to meet with Councilman Paul Vallone and Councilman Barry Grodenchik, both of whom have also supported our program over the years. In the morning, our students toured the City Hall and in the afternoon, they had the opportunity to observe the regular stated meeting of the City Council. AUGUST The high school students in the 2016 Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) Grassroots Internship toured the New York State Capitol in Albany and had an opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Ron Kim (NY-40). Assemblyman Kim applauded the students’ voter registration efforts and encouraged them to set long-term goals, beyond just a profession or fame.
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Grassroots Internship MEETINGS WITH LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS Providing KACE Grassroots Interns with an opportunity to advocate to their local elected officials on issues that are critical to the Korean American community
KACE Grassroots Interns were able to meet with: Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (NY-16) Congressman Bill Pascrell Assemblywoman Nily Rozic Assemblyman Edward Braunstein Assemblyman Ron Kim County Executive Jim Tedesco Councilwoman Jannie Chung Councilman Peter Koo Councilman Rory Lancman Councilman Barry Grodenchik Grassroots Interns were recognized by the following elected officials on their hard work and contribution to the Korean American community: Representative Joe Crowley (NY-14) Representative Bill Pascrell (NJ-5) Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (NY-16) NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg (NJ-37) NJ Assembly Member Gordon Johnson (NJ-37) NJ Assembly Member Valerie Vainieri Huttle (NJ-37) NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio NY Assembly Member Ron Kim (NY-40) NY Assembly Member Nily Rozic (NY-25) NY Assembly Member Edward Braunstein (NY-26) NYC Council Member Peter Koo NYC Council Member Barry Grodenchik NYC Council Member Paul Vallone Bergen County Executive James Tedesco
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Korean American Grassroots Conference
The Korean American Grassroots Conference is the annual flagship event of KACE and has been our largest event since 2014. The summer conference, which is held in Washington D.C., has grown tremendously in the past three years.
REGIONAL SEMINARS Starting in December 2015, KACE launched regional KAGC seminars in areas with a significant Korean American population to futher expand its nationwide grassroots voter organization.
March 4-5 Bay Area in Foster City, CA March 25-26 Houston, TX April 30 Chicago, IL may 28
The Korean American Grassroots Conference the annual Seattle,iswa flagship event of Korean American Civic Empowerment and has been our largest event since 2014. The June 3-4summer conference which is held in Washington D.C. each summer Northeastern Regional has grown tremendously in the past three Seminar years. for NY Preparation and NJ June 17 Orange County, CA
June 18 Los Angeles, CA
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Korean American Grassroots Conference WASHINGTON D.C. The 3rd annual Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) took place on July 6th through 8th, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE), this year's conference was joined by over 500 community leaders and 200 college students from across the nation, under the theme "Local Action, National Impact".
170
Attendees lobbied for immigration reform, Korean-American military alliance, reunion of separated Korean families in the United States and North Korea, issues on comfort women, and securing E-2 visas for Koreans to members of congress or their staff, and urged them to address such issues on the 115th United States Congress.
21
congressional officies at Capitol Hill visited by KAGC and KAGC-U attendees
meetings with Representatives in their offices at Capitol Hill
KAGC Attendees 2014-16 500 400 300 200 100 0 2014
2015
2016
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
Korean American Grassroots Conference Meetings were held with Representatives or staff members of: •Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) •Representative Adam Smith (WA-09) •Representative John Culberson (TX-07) •Representative Robert A. Brady (PA-01) •Representative Leonard Lance (NJ-07) •Representative Ed Royce (CA-39)
•Representative Adam Schiff (CA-28) •Representative Mike Honda (CA-17) •Representative Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11) •Representative Rob Woodall (GA-07) •Representative Scott Garret (NJ-05) •Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) •Representative Don Young (AK-0) •Representative Jim McDermott (WA-07)
•Representative Xavier Beccera (CA-34) •Representative Bill Pascrell (NJ-09) •Representative Ted Poe (TX-02) •Representative Anna Eshoo (CA-18) •Representative Patrick J. Tiberi (OH-12) •Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) •Senator Pat Murray (WA)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27) Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO-6) Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) Rep. Bob Dold (R-IL-10) Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA-17) Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9) Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY-13) Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27) Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39) Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
KAGC U The 2016 KAGC was the first summer that a University program was introduced into the Conference. KAGC U is dedicated solely to the Korean-American university student demographic with the goal of promoting Korean-American student civic engagement activities on campuses all across the United States.
2016 KAGC U LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
52
students from
23
universities across the nation attended the 2016 KAGC U Leadership Summit
KACE hosted the inaugural KAGC U Leadership Summit from January 7th to January 8th, 2016, the first of KACE’s programs designed to educate and mobilize college students. The summit took place at the Hilton Manhattan East in New York.
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
KAGC U
43
student organizations from
63
schools were involved with KAGC U in 2016
650+
total students engaged from KAGC U
800+
CAMPUS OUTREACH
Korean American college students have been registered to vote on-campus with the assistance of KACE and its collaborating student organizations on 30+ campuses across the country between January and October 2016. KACE conducted a nationwide tour of schools to provide trainings around voter registration drivess and on civic participation.
feb 19 2016 Harvard + wellesley
Schools selected were based on the connections made at the Leadership Summit in January, proximity to other schools and large metropolitan areas, as well as the Korean American student population at the school.
feb 25 2016 Emory + georgia tech apr 9 2016 northwestern university
10
Schools Visited: Wellesley College, Harvard University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Southern California
mar 03 2016 UC Berkeley apr 1-2 2016 UCLA, USC, SOcal korean college student association
mar 24 2016 Ohio State University
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
KAGC U WASHINGTON D.C.
200+ Korean American college students attended the 2016 KAGC U, the first ever national conference for Korean American students.
21 States represented at this year’s KAGC U in Washington D.C.
56 districts represented at this year’s KAGC U in Washington D.C.
60+
universities were represented, including American University, Amherst College, Arizona State University, Barnard College, Bellevue College, Boston University, Brown University, Case Western Reserve University, Chapman University, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Colorado, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth University, Emory University, Fordham University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Kennesaw State University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, New York University, Occidental College, Ohio State University, University of Rochester, Rutgers University, San Francisco State University, Seattle Pacific University, Stanford University, School of Visual Arts, University of Texas, University of Washington, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UCLA, UCSB, University of Georgia, University of Illinois, University of Southern California, University of Virginia, Wellesley College, College of William & Mary, Yale University, and many more. Page 22 | 2016 KACE ANNUAL REPORT
CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
KAGC U VOTER REGISTRATION CHALLENGE
Student organizations from universities across the nation joined the effort to help their fellow students register to vote. The winning entry was Georgia Tech & Emory KUSA with a total of 171 registrations combined, closely followed by Rutgers KSA and Northwestern KASA.
11 student organizations participated in the 2016 National Voter Registration day under KACE’s KAGC U program
. Rutgers University (Rutgers Korean Student Association)
. Wellesley College (Wellesley Korean Student Association and Wellesley Asian Student Union)
. Harvard University (Harvard Korean Association) . Emory University (Emory Korean Undergraduate Student Association)
. University of Southern California (USC Korean American Student Association and USC Asian Pacific American Student Assembly)
............................
2016 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
650+
total voter registration forms assisted
“It seems as though most Asian American students are interested in participating in elections, but lack an adequate understanding as to how to approach it. When they see Asian American student organizations running voter registration drives, these students are excited to see them and ask several questions, always starting with I’ve been meaning to do this for so long'”
Wonseok Song, Program Director of KACE
171
total voter registration forms received from our first place winners, Georgia Tech and Emory
135
total voter registration forms received from Rutgers KSA
. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech Korean Undergraduate Student Association)
. Northwestern University (Northwestern Korean American Student Association)
. Amherst College (Amherst Korean Student Association)
. University at Buffalo (UB Korean United Student
52
total voter registration forms received from Northwestern KASA
Association)
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
KAGC U MEET AND GREET ASSEMBLYMAN RON KIM OF NY-4O
“It doesn’t quite compare to the 60s’ civil rights movement, but it is the battle I fight everyday-to fight against double standards on Asian Americans. ” Asian Americans”
Assembly Member Ron Kim of New York’s 40th District Assemblyman Ron Kim (NY-40)
On October 24th, KACE co-hosted a meet and greet with Assembly Member Ron Kim for New York with New York University (NYU) College Democrats.
This event was co-sponsored with:
Citing that our community needs to speak up more, Assemblyman Ron Kim encouraged the students and that “we must fight for our piece of the pie.”
NYU Freedoms 4 North Korea
NYU Korean Student Association NYU ACU Fordham Korean Student Association Columbia University Asian American Alliance
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CIVIC EDUCATION INITATIVES
“Comfort Women” Resolution H. Res. 121 of 2007, also known as the “Comfort Women” Resolution was introduced by Representative Mike Honda and unanimously passed by the House of Representatives in 2007. The resolution urges the government of Japan to formally acknowledge and unequivocally apologize for its imperial forces’ sexual enslavement of over 200,000 women during World War II.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY On March 8th, 2016 KACE hosted a joint press conference in front of the New York City Hall to remember the “comfort women” atrocity in honor of International Women’s Day. NYC Council members Laurie Cumbo (D, 35th) and Peter Koo (D, 40th) joined the conference to raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking that is still prevalent today in New York and other parts of the world. Ms. Lee Yong-soo, one of the last survivors of the “comfort women” tragedy joined the Council members and the Coalition for Comfort Women, comprised of the Center for Asian Pacific Affairs, Coalition Against the Trafficking of Women, Korean American Association of Queens, Pilipino American Unity for Progress, and KACE.
9TH ANNIVERSARY OF “COMFORT WOMEN” RESOLUTION On September 20th, together with Representative Mike Honda, KACE hosted the 9th anniversary commemoration of the “Comfort Women” Resolution in Washington D.C. “Comfort women” survivor Ms. Lee Yong-soo, Representative Mike Honda, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., Representative Charles Rangel, Representative Ed Royce, and Representative Judy Chu joined KACE in commeration of standing up for human rights and history education.
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS INITIATIVES
Asian Social Justice Internship
MEETING WITH “COMFORT WOMEN” SURVIVOR On March 9th, KACE hosted a meeting between “comfort women” survivor Ms. Lee Yong-soo and the participants of the Asian Social Justice Internship, a program at the Kupferberg Holocaust Center at Queensborough Community College, co-hosted every semester with KACE. This meeting provided interns with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the history of “comfort women”.
.............................................
The Asian Social Justice Internship was founded in the fall of 2012 to educate the modern history of northeast Asia with the emphasis on the “comfort women” atrocities. The program accepts 10 students every semester and offers opportunities for them to conduct first-hand interviews with “comfort women” survivors, collect and archive information.
GRADUATION FOR 2016 FALL INTERNS On December 9th, KACE and Kupferberg Holocaust Center of Queens Community College hosted the 5th Asian Social Justice Internship graduation ceremony at the Kupferberg Holocaust Center. Established in 2012, the Asian Social Justice Internship is a 12-week program that seeks to educate its participants about the war atrocities committed by the Japanese government during World War II.
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS INITIATIVES
Roundtable + Meetings
FEBRUARY President Kim of KACE met with New
.................... APRIL
.................... MAY
York State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. President Kim shared with her KACE’s plan for 2016 as well as our community’s plans in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.
KACE held a joint meeting with Assemblyman Ron Kim (A.D. 40) and Councilman Barry Grodenchik (NYC-23) to discuss various issues of the Korean American community. KACE, Assemblyman Kim, and Councilman Grodenchik discussed ways for NYC and ethnic minority communities to support the Minority Employment Act that the Assemblyman has introduced in Albany. KACE asked to look into ways for Korean American businesses to more easily participate in the Women/Minority Business Enterprise program of New York City and New York State.
KACE participated in a town hall meeting on New York City’s Voting Rights Act. The town hall meeting was co-hosted by Representatives Nydia Velazquez (NY–7), Hakeem Jeffries (NY–8), and Grace Meng (NY–6).
NOVEMBER KACE hosted a roundtable .................................
................................................... .........................................
Advocating for the rights of the Korean American ommunity by raising awareness on the various issues that our community faces to local elected officials.
discussion with NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim (AD 40) and Councilman Chris Chung of Palisades Park, NJ on November 4th. With only 4 days left until the 2016 general election, KACE sought to reflect on the political power of our community, significance of Korean American candidates, and current community affairs.
Immigration Legal Services collab with CUNY Law School KACE provides Immigration Legal Services in collaboration with CUNY Law School to ensure that the civic rights of immigrants are protected. This service is free of charge.
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS INITIATIVES
Association of Korean Local Governments for Social Economy and Solidarity
15 7 6
Local Government Officials
UNITED STATES TOUR WITH KACE As part of the Seoul Social, a group of local government officials and administrators visited New York City as part of their U.S. tour in August, 2016.
Advisers and Researchers
Chiefs of Local Governments
KACE provided education to the delegation on the structure of U.S. governments on federal, state, and local levels, as well as case studies of grassroots civic participation of the Korean American community.
Local Governors’ Club NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH KACE An association of elected officials and senior administrators of local governments throughout Korea, Local Governors' Club is a program run by the Hope Institute. A delegation of 26 visited New York and New Jersey as part of its annual North American tour. KACE provided education to the club on the structure of U.S. governments, on federal, state, and local levels, the presidential election process of the U.S. as well as case studies of grassroots civic participation of the Korean American community.
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VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCACY. VOTER REGISTRATION. CIVIC EDUCATION. OUR COMMUNITY’S VOICE. KOREAN AMERICAN CIVIC EMPOWERMENT SINCE 1996
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20004 INFO@KACE.ORG
New York 163-10 Northern Blvd Suite 307 Flushing, NY 11358 (718) 961-4117
New Jersey 185 Bridge Plaza N Suite 306 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 488-4201
Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) Page 28 | 2016 KACE ANNUAL REPORT