ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
4 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y G A L A M I N K W O N C E N T E R F O R C O M M U N I T Y A C T I O N
DEAR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS, WELCOME TO THE MINKWON CENTER’S 40TH ANNUAL GALA!
CO-CHAIR WELCOME REMARKS
Itiswithimmenseprideandgratitude that we celebrate the powerful work of this amazing organization, and the lasting impact we have made togetheroverfourdecades Sinceitsfounding,MinKwonhasbeen steadfast in its commitment to empowering Korean American, Asian American, and immigrant communities.Ourjourney muchlike the immigrant experience itself has been defined by resilience, advocacy, and an unyielding belief in the power of community. Through advocacy, organizing, and service, we have advanced the rights of immigrant, Asian and Korean American lowincome communities across New York and beyond Tonight, we celebrate our collective resilience and sharedvictoriesover40years.
Butthiseveningisnotjustareflection ofMinKwon’spastaccomplishmentsit is also that of our communities, whose resilience, strength, and unity are our greatest assets This is deeply personal for us as Gala co-chairs. As secondgenerationKoreanAmericans, we have walked a similar path to many in our community grappling with the complexities of balancing cultural identities, navigating new systems, and seeking belonging in a foreign land. The immigrant experienceisoneofbothstruggleand triumph,andit’sthisjourneythatfuels our passion for supporting MinKwon overtheyears Indeed,MinKwonhasalwaysbeen
more than the sum of its parts - it is powered by the amazing network of volunteers, supporters and allies that have helped it have such impact. So thank you for being part of this important journey! Together, we are stronger, and it is through your unwavering support that MinKwon continues to provide vital services and amplifythevoicesofourcommunities tocreatelastingchange
As we celebrate this 40-year milestone, we also are filled with hope and determination to build an even stronger and more inclusive future, to continue pushing for a society where every immigrant has the chance to build a life of dignity, safety, and opportunity So we welcome you to the Gala, to celebrate the strength of our community, and to recommit ourselves to work for a brighter, more justtomorrow.
Withgratitude,
STEVEN CHOI
CHUL PAK
Co-chairs,40th-AnniversaryGala
WELCOME REMARKS
JOHN PARK ExecutiveDirector
YU SOUNG MUN BoardPresident
ON BEHALF OF THE MINKWON CENTER FO COMMUNITY ACTION, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AT OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY
GALA: ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.
Forty years ago in 1984, on a Fall midOctober day not unlike today, the late Yoon Han Bong and a handful of dedicated and resourceful young adults gathered in Queens, New York, and founded the Young Korean American Service and Education Center (YKASEC), known today as the MinKwon Center for Community Action.
Thissmallgrouphadavisiontocreate an open community center (“madangjip” in Korean) for their neighbors, coworkers, and fellow immigrants. And from the very beginning, every board member, staff, and volunteer has sought to live up to the motto set forth by our founders: “Live Righteously, Live in Harmony, and Know Your Roots” For the last two years our gala themes have echoedthesemottos:RootedinSocial Justice, Rooted in Movement, culminating in this year’s gala theme: RootedinCommunity
Since those humble beginnings, the MinKwon Center has grown to become a leading institution for progressive change not just amongst Korean-Americans, but for the greater Asian American community in New YorkandNewJersey Throughourfive programareas–Advocacyand
Organizing, Social Services, Civic Participation, Youth, and Culture – we directly assist our community, ensure greater engagement with the government, fight for immigrant rights, opportunity, access and resources, and ultimately shape the nextgenerationofyoungleaders. Tonight,wereflectonallthathasbeen achievedinthepastfourdecades,and welookforwardtothenextfortyyears tocome Aspartofourcelebration,we are excited to honor our 2024 “Standing Up For Justice” awardees –StanleyMarkfromtheAsianAmerican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Jeremy Lin Foundation, and the Metropolitan Asian Deaf Association All of our honorees exemplify MinKwon’s emphasis on meeting the needs of those who need the most, and we are grateful for their work, leadership, and positive impact in our communities
Please join us as the MinKwon Center recommits to the grassroots aspiration that started this movement forty years ago, including honoring and celebrating our community roots. Wearegratefulforyoursupport–and for being a partner on our journey as we work towards a just and prosperoussocietyforall.
MEET OUR HONOREES
STANLEY MARK
Stanley Mark coordinates free legal rights clinics at workers' centers and immigrant-led organizations. He represents and assists Asian families seeking immigration benefits and US citizenship, recovering minimum wage and overtime pay, and securing health care for post-9/11 survivors in Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Stan testified before a Congressional Subcommittee about the many 9/11 environmental health problems demanding health care legislation and medical research funds for all survivors of the WTC attack. He also testified in support of Japanese American redress before the Commision on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, receiving a Day of Remembrance Award for his advocacyin1991.
AT ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND
TheAsianAmericanBarAssociationof New York honored Stan for his communityservicein1991andin2004 as a founding board member In 2017, the Asian American Center in Queens honored him for his Social Justice work in local Asian American communities. His clients include Chinese indentured servants, Korean waitresses, Filipino hotel workers, Pakistani taxi drivers, Bangladeshi low wage workers, Southeast Asian hospital workers, and Japanese Americans once interned in US concentration camps during World WarIIaswellasimmigrantsofdiverse backgrounds He is a graduate of SetonHallLawSchool.
THE METR N ASIAN DEAF ASSOCIATION (MADA)
The Metropolitan Asian Deaf Association (MADA) in the Greater New York area is dedicated to empowering and preserving Asian cultural values for the Asian Deaf community, fostering inclusivity, and promotingequalopportunities.MADA strivestoenhancethequalityoflifefor Asian Deaf/Hard of Hearing immigrants and Asian Americans through comprehensive support services, cultural preservation, and community engagement. MADA envisions preserving Asian heritage, values, culture, and identity for the Asian Deaf, Deaf Plus, DeafBlind, Children of Deaf Adults (CODA), and the broader community together. MADA is also a member organization oftheAPAVOICEledbytheMinKwon Center, contributing to the civic engagement of Asian American communitiesinNewYorkCity.
During the summer of 2002, two Asian Deaf individuals, Candice Hsu of New Jersey and Jennifer Ayque-Cho ofNewYork,discussedcreatinganew Asian Deaf organization in the Greater New York metropolitan area In September 2002, a group of Asian Deaf people gathered for a meal at Malaysia Restaurant in New York City. They enjoyed meeting and learning about one another The group made plans to connect with other Asian Deaf people living in the Greater New York area and have a good time together. They went to Starbucks for coffee and tea, forming what is now known as the “First Asian Deaf Gathering” at Starbucks Coffee, Cooper Union in New York, NY After this initial meeting, the Metropolitan Asian Deaf Association (MADA) was officially named during the first board meeting at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 1, 2002.
The Jeremy Lin Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded by professional basketball player Jeremy Lin They collaborate with grassroots programs that are deeply rooted in their communities to serve lowincomeAAPIyouthandotheryouthof color. Their efforts address a wide range of barriers, including food insecurity, mental health challenges, andyouthempowerment
Guided by Jeremy's personal experiences as an AAPI individual and his relationships on and off the court, the Foundation supports overlooked andunderservedAAPIandcross-racial youthorganizations
Their grantees work with youth populationsthatare15–75%AAPI,with most also serving cross-racial youth. Their goal is to help the next generationthrivetogether The Foundation empowers community leaders who serve marginalized and vulnerable populations, and they partner with organizations to create sustainable solutions addressing the root causes of racial injustice and income inequality. Additionally, they work to change the narrative for overlooked andunderestimatedyouth,helpingto ensure that their voices are heard and theirneedsaremet
THE JEREMY LIN FOUNDATION
INTRODUCING CULTURAL PERFORMERS
JIMMY BYRNE
JimmyByrne(he/him)isaKoreanadopteeborn in Haman-gun as Cho, Yoon-ho(조윤호) and raisedinManlius,NewYork Hecurrentlyresides in Chicago, Illinois and serves as Director of Development at NAKASEC (National Korean American Service & Education Consortium), organizing Korean and Asian Americans to achieve racial, economic, and social justice; he is also an active member of NAKASEC's project Adoptees for Justice, working to educate, organize, and advocate for citizenship rights for intercountry adoptees. Jimmy holds a Bachelor ofArtsinMusicfromWestminsterChoirCollege; as a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir he sang in the New York Philharmonic's performances of Handel's The Messiah at RiversideChurchin2005.
JO-ANNE HYUN
Jo-Anne Hyun (she/they) is a Korean-American multi-instrumentalist and performer based in Brooklyn, NY. Born in Vancouver, B.C. she spent her formative years in Cleveland, OH and Sacramento, CA Her studies in music and theater at Bennington College paved the way for her loving journey in the performing arts in NewYorkCity,whichhasbeenhomebasesince 2013. Currently, she is the bassist of Toebow, a Brooklyn indie psych pop quintet. Jo-Anne has also been a recording and touring member with former NYC-based bands, Zula and Peel DreamMagazine.
KYO-HYUK LEE
Guitarist Lee Kyo-hyuk is a talented Korean classical guitarist who is active on the world stage. He started learning guitar from his guitarist uncle at the age of 15 and has built his own unique musical world with his passion for music and constant effort In 2013, LeeKyo-hyukenteredtheRoyalConservatory of Music in Madrid, Spain, to broaden his musical horizons and began studying classical guitar in earnest. This was a significant turning point in his musical life, and his artistic growth accelerated further thereafter.
While performing on stages around the world, Lee Kyo-hyuk's delicate guitar playing has captivated audiences from Korea, Spain, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, and other countries In particular, his performance at the invitation of the Spanish Embassy in Seoul and his collaboration with the Lee Yeoseok Guitar Orchestra were important opportunities to introduce his musical talent totheinternationalstage.
LeeKyo-hyuk'smusicaljourneyhasalsobeen accompanied by outstanding achievements He won the Popularity Award at Concurso Arriga in 2016 and gained various stage experiences, including an appearance at the "Jose Luis Rodrigo" Young Talent Guitar Festival, which further deepened his musical depth
His musical journey, which began at the age of 15, has continued to develop through master classes from world-class guitar masters. Lee Kyo-hyuk’s performances, with their outstanding technical perfection and profound musical interpretation, deeply move the audience From the first scales he learned from his uncle as a child to this day, Lee Kyo-hyuk’s music has captivated the hearts of the audience as a result of his constantgrowthandpassion.
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
BECKY BELCORE
BYUNG HO KANG
CHARLENE HONG
CHUL PAK Co-Chair
JEEHAE FISCHER
JENNIFER HEEJIN KIM & ROBERT TUNG
JOHN PARK & SYLVIA SHIN PARK
JUNGWOO KIM
KYONG HUI LEE
LINA LEE
MEE EUN CHANG
MICKEY KIM & JIN LEE
MYOUNGMI KIM
REV. WONTAE CHO
ROGER PARK
ROVIKA RAJKISHUN
STEVEN CHOI Co-Chair
SUNGOK LEE
SUNGYEON PARK
KYONG HUI LEE
SUSSAN LEE
YANG SUN PARK
YONG CHUN RIM
YU SOUNG MUN & HEESOOK KIM
HOST COMMITTEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BYUNG HO KANG
JENNIFER HEEJIN KIM
LINA LEE Vice President & Secretary
MEE EUN CHANG
SUNGOK LEE
SUSSAN LEE
YANGSUN PARK Treasurer
YONG CHUN RIM
YU SOUNG MUN Board President
AJIN CHO Social Services Fellow
ASHLEY CHANG, ESQ.
Staff Housing Attorney
AUBREY KOO
Social Services Coordinator
DIANA WOOJUNG PARK
Immigrant Justice Organizer
EUNMI JI
Intake & Administrative Specialis
GWEN PHAGNASAY LE Youth Organizer GRACE CUI
Social Services Manager
HANNA JO
Health Policy & Programs Coordinator
HUANJIE LI
Organizer & Community Engagement Manager
HYEIN CHO Legal Services Associate
JAXIMUS HYUN PARK
Administrative & Operations Associate
JENNY EUM
Social Services Specialist
JOHN PARK Executive Director
JOO YOUNG JEON Health Outreach Fellow
JU-BUM CHA
Senior Consultant of Strategy & Special Projects
KAPSONG KIM Korean American Community Development Director
MATILDE C. RECALDE, ESQ. Senior Immigration Attorney
MICHAEL OH, ESQ. Supervising Immigration Attorney
MISUN MODELL NJ Program Associate
PETER LEE Legal Services Associate
SANDRA CHOI Civic Participation Director
SEONGWON KIM NJ Program Manage
SHUA JEONG Community Advocate
TRISHA KIM Community Engagement Associate
YOON JI KIM Managing Director
STAFF
MINKWON CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ACTION’S
40-YEAR JOURNEY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
MinKwon Center for Community Action is a community-based organization founded in 1984 It was originally named the Young Korean American Service and Education Center (YKASEC) but in 2009, as it entered its 25th year, it was renamed MinKwon Center for Community Action MinKwon Center focuses on Advocacy and Organizing, Civic Participation, Social Services, Youth Empowerment,andCulture.
American society underwent drastic changes in the wake of the civil rights movement and major reforms in immigration law in 1965 While the Korean community in the US grew rapidly, Korean Americans lacked a sense of unity as a community. Many werefirst-generationimmigrantswho suffered racial discrimination and experienced significant language barriers
FOUND BAC
Photo:KoreanResourceCenterinLos Angeles,thefirstcommunitycenter establishedbyMr.YoonHan-bong andyoungpeople
Photo:YKUmembersand
communitycentervolunteersatthe OverseasKoreansConference
Photo:LateMr Han-bongYoon, FounderoftheMinKwonCenterand YoungKoreansUnited
The history of the MinKwon Center began with the late Mr Han-bong Yoon, who was called the ‘Last Wanted Person of May 18 People’s Uprising’ in Korea. He fled to the United States in 1981 and led the overseas Korean movement He organized Young Koreans United (YKU), a political organization that brought together young people from all over North America to work for the peaceful unification and democratization of Korea YKU was a national organization comprised of regional YKUs In addition, Mr Yoon and the youths built non-profit community centers (Madangjip) as sister organizations of YKU in each region, starting with the Korean Resource Center established in Los Angeles in 1983 The following year, in 1984, they founded the MinKwon Center (formely YKASEC) in Jackson Heights, Queens. Madangjip served as an open space for Korean Americans todevotethemselvestoservice,youth education, and cultural activities for thecommunity.
MINKWON’S HISTORY
1980S: PLANTING ROOTS
ThefoundersofMinKwonCenter,who took the first step in community activism, built the community center with remarkable dedication The fulltime staff, who were all members of YKU, served without compensation. They focused on education for young Korean Americans and social service programsforadults.
In 1985, MinKwon Center created a Korean American cultural troupe, ‘Binari’. Through Binari, MinKwon Centerplayedanactiveroleinreviving interest in and awareness of Korean “grassroots” cultural traditions. Binari performed at cultural events and combatedculturalisolationandthe
Photo:Achildren'sschoolthatcared forchildrenfromKoreanimmigrant familiesaspartoftheorganization's earlyprograms.
loss of cultural roots in the Korean American community by spreading Korean traditional culture to the mainstream.
Photo:Thefoundingceremonyof MinKwonCenter(formerlyYKASEC), establishedinJacksonHeights, Queens,onOctober21,1984.
Inorderforasmallminoritygrouplike he Korean American community to come more empowered, it was sential to build a united movement th multi-racial, multi-ethnic mmunities. Since its inception, nKwon Center has understood this ality and embraced an inclusive hilosophy, placing emphasis on eeting the needs of all community embers with less access to sources. We have advocated for the hts of all immigrants, and rticipated in protests and rallies against racial discrimination and police brutality These efforts went beyondservingtheKoreanAmerican
community, and towards reaching broader immigrant and ethnic communities. Meanwhile our sister organization, YKU, conducted all-out effortstoachievedemocratizationand the peaceful unification of Korea throughamultifacetedcampaign.
TIMELINE
1985(YKASEC)
FoundingofKoreanAmerican CulturalTroup‘Binari’
Photo:FoundingofKoreanCultural Troup‘Binari’.
1988-89(YKU)
January1,1984
FoundingofYoungKoreansUnited (YKU)
October21,1984
MinKwonisfoundedasYoungKorean AmericanServiceandEducation Center(YKASEC)
PeaceMarchfromNewYorkto WashingtonD.C.100,000Signatures foraNuclear-FreeKorea.
Photo:Participatinginananti-war, anti-nuclearpeacerallyin Washington,DC
Photo:Foundingmemberswhobuilt MinKwonCenter.
1989(YKU)
InternationalPeaceMarchfrom Mt.BaekdutoMt.Halla.
Photo:YKUmembersand participantswhoorganizedthe InternationalPeaceMarchbeginthe marchatthetopofMt Baekduin NorthKorea
1990’S: ESTABLISHING A ODEL
Photo:ThelateDr.SukonKim,wh devotedhimselftoservingasth BoardChairofMinKwonCenterf manyyears.
Photo:‘Oneperson,Onedollar’ fundraisinginfrontofKorean supermarketfortheWashingtonPost advertisingcampaign
FOR THE EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING & ADVOCACY
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots was a turningpointfortheKoreanAmerican community. The Korean American community came to the stark realizationthatitcouldnotescapethe deep-rooted social, racial, and economicproblemsthatplagued
the rest of the country. Soon thereafter, as anti-immigrant politicians swept into power after the 1994 elections, reactionary politicians within Congress began to blame immigrants for all manner of socialills.
Photo:NAKASECandKorean Americanseniorsattendingan immigrationrallynearFederalPlaza inManhattan.
The oppression of immigrant communities that began in the early 1990s made their lives difficult, but it also served as an opportunity for political awakening At a time when the immigrant communities’ power and organizational strength had not yet been demonstrated on a national level, the Korean American community proudly stood at the forefront of the immigrant rights movementwitharecordofexemplary activities The scene of former President Clinton signing a bill to restore some public benefits for immigrants in front of the White House, with a representative of MinKwonCenterinvitedtoparticipate, remainsaproudmemoryforus
In the 1990s, MinKwon Center expanded its activities to include immigrant rights advocacy, civic engagement, education, social and legal services, and youth leadership programs, and grew to become the premierimmigrantrightsandservices community based organization for Korean Americans in New York. During this period, MinKwon Center established itself as a key organization in immigrant rights advocacy and civic engagement, activities, focusing on community activities and solidarity with other ethnic groups as its two mainpillars
TIMELINE
Photo:Monthlyseminarsheldon varioustopics
1995
WashingtonPostAdCampaign:With the“Dollar-A-Person”fundraising campaignandparticipationfromover 300organizationsnationwide,weran twofull-pageadsopposinganantiimmigrationbill
Photo:Full-pageadopposingantiimmigrationlegislationinthe WashingtonPost.
1995
Startofthe‘Jishinbalpgi’:AKorean newyeartradition.APungmul (Koreantraditionaldrumming)group travelsaroundK-Town,givingout bokjori,asymbolofgoodluck,and wishingforpeaceandprosperityfor thenewyear.
Photo:Bannersusedatimmigration
1998
PaperPlateCampaign:National campaigntorestorefoodstampsfor immigrantswiththeobjectiveof sendingthousandsofpaperplates withthemessage"Ourplatesare empty"tomembersofCongress.
Photo:ArepresentativeofNAKASEC wasinvitedtotheWhiteHousebill signingceremonyfortherestoration offoodstampbenefitsthathadbeen cut,targetingimmigrants.
1999
Restoration96Campaign:A campaignthatopposedthepartially amendedimmigrationlawsfrom1996 andcalledforareturntoimmigration policiesastheywerebefore1996.
Photo:MinKwonCenterand NAKASECstaffandYKUmembers holdarallyinfrontoftheManhattan FederalBuildingtoprotestchanges toimmigrationlaw.
1996-99(YKU)
NorthKoreanFloodVictimRelief Campaign:Incollaborationwiththe UN'sWorldFoodProgramme(WFP), twosuccessfulcampaignswere conductedtoaidNorthKoreans sufferingfromthedevastationcaused byflooding.Thetwocampaignswere "SendingaBagofRicetoNorth KoreanCitizens"and"Helping StarvingChildren"
Photo:CampaigntohelpNorth Koreanfloodvictims.
2000’S: BUILDING
THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND AMERICA'S FUTURE
In the 2000s, America was overshadowed by the grim aftermath of 9/11, rather than being filled with hope for a new century. The wave of patriotism that followed 9/11 led to "national security" becoming the centralcriterionforallU.S.policy
decisions. Not only immigrant communities but also ordinary American citizens experienced severe human rights violations and restrictions on their civil liberties The achievements in immigrant rights fromthe1990scouldnotbesustained,
Photo:Civildisobedienceagainst deportation and immigration reform was either not discussed at all or indefinitely postponed. Furthermore, the vision of building a future with a unifi d multiracial society becam increasingly uncertain, as ra conflicts escalated and tensio deepened.
Against this social and polit backdrop, MinKwon Center Community Action continued existing advocacy for immigra rights, but also expanded its efforts start considering a brighter future America. We widened our advoca efforts to fight budget cuts at the c state,andfederallevels,improvingt educational system to supp immigrant students, and reform America's broken immigrat system.
Moreover, MinKwon actively participated in the Building Bridges Campaign which aimed to improve relations between immigrant and African American communities, and launched initiatives to accurately inform American society about the realitiesofimmigration.Wealsotooka leading role in opposing cuts to social welfare budgets at the city and state levels, which have affected residents regardless of race Through these efforts, MinKwon Center worked diligently to address important policy issues for all communities while envisioning a future where diverse groups unite for a better America and reinforcingitsidentityasacommunity
demandingprotectionofworkers' andimmigrants'rights
Additionally, MinKwon Center formed APA VOICE, bringing together 20 organizations in the New York City area to promote Asian American political empowerment and participation in the democratic process. Our free social service programs also provide assistance in the areas of immigration and housing law, public benefits, and tax filing to many community members every year We have launched special projectstoprovidesignificant
Photo:DuringtheannualKorean traditionalevent‘Jisinbalpgi’.
Photo:AnnualMayDaymarch
assistancetoundocumentedandlowincome residents in areas heavily impacted by the pandemic, particularly in Korean and immigrantdensecommunities
TIMELINE
Early2000s–Present CampaignforComprehensive ImmigrationReform:Acampaignto fixourbrokenimmigrationsystem andmakeimmigrantstrulypartof Americansociety
Photo:Rallyopposingantiimmigrationlaws
2001-2019
GreenLightCampaign:Workingto ensureequaldriver'slicenseaccessfor allNewYorkersregardlessof immigrationstatus;finallypassedin 2019.
2004 StartofNewImmigrantVoter RegistrationProgram.
2005
NewYorkTimesAdCampaign: Launched“OneDollarOnePerson” campaignonemoretimetobuy advertisementspaceintheNewYork Timestoadvocateforimmigration
2001-Present
DREAMACTCampaign:Effortsto introduceandpasstheDREAMACT, whichwouldallowundocumented youth(Dreamers)toobtainlegal statusandpursuetheAmerican Dream.
Photo:Communitymembersjoin nationwiderallyinfrontofSupreme CourtcallingforpreservationofDACA.
2006
Organizedover300Korean Americanstoparticipateinthe“We AreAmerica”NationalImmigrant MarchinNewYork
Photo:“WeAreAmerica”National ImmigrantMarchheldinNewYork.
2011
MinKwonCenterconvenedthefirst AAPIRedistrictingCoalitionafterthe 2010censusandsuccessfully advocatedforthecreationofthefirst AAPInear-majoritydistrict,which wouldcometoberepresentedby CongresswomanGraceMeng,thefirst AsianAmericanmemberofCongress fromtheEastCoast.
Photo:APAVOICEpressconference urgingfairandtransparent redistricting
2008-2011
Workingwithimmigrant organizationssuchastheNewYork ImmigrationCoalition,themayoro NewYorkCityissuedExecutiveOrd 120mandatinglanguageaccessinc agencies.Koreanwasincludedason ofthesixcorelanguages In2011,th governorofNewYorkissuedthesam executiveorder(ExecutiveOrder26
Photo:NewYorkimmigrationmarc toopposeanti-immigrantpolicies anddefendimmigrants’rights.
2012
2009
25thAnniversaryrelaunchas
MinKwonCenterforCommunity Action.
2010
Organizedover500AAPIresidentsin NewYorkCityandparticipatedina massiveimmigrationmarchin Washington,D.C.tocallfor comprehensiveimmigrationreform.
StartofDeferredActionforChildhood Arrivals(DACA) MinKwonhassofar submittedapproximately7%of KoreanDACAapplications nationwide.Wealsoorganize Dreamersandengagethemin immigrantrightsadvocacy
Photo:MassclinicforDACA applicants.
2014
EstablishedaCivicEngagement Coalition(AsianPacificAmericans Voting&OrganizingtoIncreaseCivic Engagement)withNYCAPIA organizations,andledcomprehensive civicengagementactivities.
2020-22DuringthePande
Conductedthelargestand in-depthsurveyofundocum KoreanAmericansinNew date
Fundraisedanddistribute $1.5millioninCashAssista 2,000familieswhowereoth ineligibleforgovernments checksduringthepande Assistedwith50,000applic andphoneconsultation pan u
Photo: distrib
Launche toth
2023
Successfulexpansionwith i f d ffi i
g
2023
EstablishmentoftheKorean AmericanPeaceFundwiththegoalof endingtheKoreanWarand establishingpeaceontheKorean Peninsula.
Photo:WashingtonDC Rallyand MarchforEndingtheKoreanWar andPeaceontheKoreanPeninsula.
Photo
2024
MinKwonCenterSocialServices
Programprovidedthefollowing servicesoverthepastyear: Immigrationscreenings, consultations,andlegal representationtoover700 individualsseekingtoobtainor maintainlegalstatusandapplyfor citizenship.
Consultations,assistancewith housingbenefits,andlegal representationtoover200 householdsfacinghousingissues suchasevictions,unlawfulrent increases,andunsafeliving conditions.
Applicationassistancewithpublic benefitsandcaseadvocacywith cityagenciesforover300 households
Assistancewithhealthinsurance enrollmentstoover200 householdsandcommunity healtheducationandoutreachto approximately1,000individuals Taxpreparationservicestoover 900households
Photo:Revivedaclosedfoodpantryto continueprovidingfoodassistance.
2024: 40TH ANNIVERSARY!
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
GOLD TIER
$15,000 & ABOVE
CHUL PAK & MICHELLE LEE
DILLON KIM & KATHY CHOI
SILVER TIER
$10,000 & ABOVE
ANONYMOUS FOUNDING MEMBER
JOHN & SYLVIA PARK
STEVEN CHOI
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI FOUNDATION
YT HWANG FOUNDATION
BRONZE TIER
$5,000 & ABOVE
ANDREW CHUNG
ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND
FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP.
GRACE & ANDREW CHUNG
JENNIFER KIM & ROBERT TUNG
KYONG HUI LEE
MICKEY KIM & JIN LEE
TIGER BARON FOUNDATION
WAN MO KANG & NANWON KIM
Congratulations totheMinKwon Center onyour40th Anniversary Gala!
Chul Pak & Michelle Lee
Happy Anniversary to the Minkwon Center!
Dillon Kim & Kathy Choi
John & Sylvia Park
Thank you MinKwon Center for all you do for our community!
AHappy40thnniversarytothe MinKwonCenter!
Steven Choi
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation
HAMKAE CENTER
HANA CENTER
MINKWON CENTER
WOORI CENTER
WOORI JUNTOS
Congratulationson your 40th Anniversary!
