September 2024

September 9, 2024

KYCC’s Small Business Program Hosts LA Global Street Festival

On August 23, 2024, KYCC’s Small Business Program hosted the LA Global Street Festiva to celebrate the small businesses in our community and strengthen our bonds as neighbors and entrepreneurs. The event aimed to support our vendors and the community by providing a space for joy, entertainment, and learning about the various free business resources available. Read more

KYCC Youth Services Wraps Up Kids Summer Camp Season

KYCC Youth Services celebrated the end of its Kids Summer Camp program with tremendous success, bringing joy and learning to children from various backgrounds. This year’s camp offered a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, field trips, beach visits, and educational workshops, ensuring that every child had something to look forward to each day. Read more

Community News

2024 Giving Summit

Don’t miss out on attending the Korean American Community Foundation – KACF Giving Summit on September 14! KACF’s Giving Summit brings together Korean Americans from across the country to explore and celebrate giving in its many forms. This daylong conference will bring together Korean Americans of all ages to celebrate the power of giving and explore how we can individually and collectively make a difference in our communities. You can find more information including a link to get your ticket here.

Naloxone Training

Join KYCC Prevention Education for a complimentary naloxone training session! Naloxone is a crucial medication that can reverse opioid overdose and save lives. Join us to gain insight into the opioid crisis, local resources, recognize overdose symptoms, receive guidance on administering naloxone, and receive a complimentary naloxone kit.

The training will take place on Thursday, September 19, from 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at 520 S. La Fayette Park Place, Suite 560, Los Angeles, CA 90057. To register, click here. For more information contact, Jacqueline at jgaray@kyccla.org or Lizbeth at lperez@kyccla.org.

SAY 2024 Application

SAY is currently open for applications through September 20, 2024! Become a part of Spreading Awareness to Youth (S.A.Y.), KYCC Clinical Services’ mental health leadership initiative for high school students. Engage in learning about mental health through lectures, activities, discussions, workshops, and projects during 90-minute weekly sessions. Apply here. For more information contact Joann Won at (213) 365-7400 Ext. 516 or email jwon@kyccla.org.

September is

National Suicide Prevention Month 

September is Suicide Prevention Month and the theme for the next 2 years is:

Know the warning signs and if you suspect someone is struggling please reach out for help. 

Please be advised of the Suicide Hotline Number is 988

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, that’s Sunday, September 8! While we honor our grandparents every day, take an extra moment to appreciate all the joy and wisdom that grandparents bring to our lives.

The History of Grandparents Day

Marian McQuade hoped to establish a national day that would honor grandparents, and in 1970 she began a campaign to do so. McQuade raised awareness about senior citizens throughout the 1970s. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. Each year, the president issues a proclamation to keep the tradition going.

Grandparents Day has both an official flower and song. Both were chosen by the National Grandparents Day Council.

·         The official flower is the forget-me-not.

·         The official song is Johnny Prill’s “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa.”

Hispanic Heritage Month

Some Fun Things to do:

1. Celebrate and visit the incredible Museum Of Latin American Art for free

MOLAA

Located in Long Beach, MOLAA is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to featuring and highlighting both modern and contemporary Latin American art

While general admission is typically $15, the museum is totally free to the public on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Get the full scoop here.

Location: 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

2. Catch a powerful show at the iconic Latino Theater Company

LATC

The Latino Theater Company at The Los Angeles Theatre Center was founded in 1985 with the overall goal to contribute and amplify voices of underserved communities through the power of theater. Today, they continue to explore the U.S. Latina/o/x experience in bold and contemporary terms, and program their Fall and Spring Seasons by working with local playwrights that speak to important issues within the Latina/o/x, First Nation, Black, Asian American, Jewish American and LGBTQ+ communities. Attend a show here!

3. Celebrate at the Latino Heritage Parade and Festival in Pasadena

Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade & Festival Committee

Join locals and the city of Pasadena for their annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival on October 5, 2024. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. then heads south on Los Robles Avenue, and concludes 4 p.m. Check back here for more information as the event grows closer. Usually following the parade, guests will enjoy a festival featuring live entertainment, educational booths, free activities for children, and food available for purchase.

When: October 5, 2024

4. Visit the historic Olvera Street

via Metrolink

Olvera Street is a local landmark known as one of DTLA’s oldest streets rich in history, and dates all the way back to 1930. Presently, it pays homage to its Mexican roots. Olvera Street offers its visitors local street vendors, cozy cafes, delicious Mexican restaurants, and wonderful gift shops for all to enjoy year-round. Learn more about its history here.

Location: 845 N Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

5. Celebrate cultures from México, Central America, South America, and beyond with the Aquarium Of Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific is throwing their twenty-first annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival in celebration of cultures from México, Central and South America, and beyond. The event features traditional dance, live music, educational programming in English and Spanish, and booths. Get the full details here!

When: 

  • Saturday, September 21, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 22, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

National Voter Registration Day

You can register to vote or check if you are registered here.

Football Season

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period. www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about

There have been many contributions made by people of LatinX heritage.  Here are just a few: 

Dolores Huerta – Co-founded the Agricultural Workers Association in 1960 and collaborated with Cesar Chavez to found the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. Her activism continued in California, where she made a name for herself by supporting and leading various strikes for workers’ rights. https://www.biography.com/notable-hispanic-americans

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor – Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Justice Sotomayor broke boundaries in 2009 when she became the first Latina and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa- NASA selected Ochoa to become an astronaut in 1991. Two years later, Ochoa made history on board the space shuttle Discovery on a mission to study the Earth’s ozone layer. She later completed three more missions. Ochoa became the first Hispanic American director of the Johnson Space Center in 2013, only the second woman to take the helm. https://www.biography.com/notable-hispanic-americans

Sylvia Rivera –  organized the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with her friend Marsha P. Johnson, an African American transgender woman. STAR became a space to organize and discuss issues facing transvestites in New York City. In addition, Rivera and Johnson started STAR House in order to assist the homeless in the gay community, with a focus on LGBT people of color.  Rivera’s legacy has led to organizations like the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which “works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race.” This organization is continuing Rivera’s lifelong work to ensure a stable and safe existence for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people. https://npg.si.edu/blog/welcome-collection-sylvia-rivera

Guillermo González Camarena – The upgrades from black-and-white to color television began in the 1960s, thanks to a patent filed in 1940 for a “chromoscopic adapter for television equipment” by Guillermo González Camarena of Mexico. Camarena, an electrical engineer who specialized in electronics at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, created the first Trichromatic Field Sequential System, a technology that transmits moving images in variations of red, green and blue to achieve a spectrum of color. https://www.history.com/news/latino-hispanic-inventions

George Meléndez Wright – The first Salvadoran and Latino in a professional role at the National Park Service (NPS), was deeply passionate about nature and wildlife. He led wildlife conservation efforts at Yosemite National Park, conducting multiple studies. Fluent in Spanish, he served as a translator for culture keeper Yotuya Lebrado in Yosemite. Despite a tragic accident cutting his life short, Meléndez Wright’s legacy includes revolutionizing wildlife conservation and sustainability in our National Parks. 

Olga E. Custodio – Olga was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and served in the United States Air Force for 24 years.  She made history as the first Latina US Military pilot.

Sustainability Committee Corner

Hey there KYCCERs, September is Sustainability Month!

Why is Sustainability Important?

Preserving the planet

Sustainability is important for preserving our planet and natural resources like water and air. 

Reducing pollution

Sustainability involves reducing and eliminating pollution, which is essential for a sustainable future. 

Slowing climate change

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human existence, and sustainability is important for slowing it down. 

Protecting biodiversity

Biodiversity is vital for sustainable development, providing ecosystem services like clean air and water, pollination, and soil fertility. 

Sustainable business practices

Sustainable business practices, such as green technology and eco-friendly supply chains, can have a ripple effect on individuals and communities. 

Sustainability Bingo

If you complete at least 5 of the 9 items on this BINGO Card, you will be entered into a raffle.

A RAFFLE…YOU SAY…WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO???

            1- Complete 5 items on the Bingo Card.

            2- Email the items you have compelted to YJ – ylee@kyccla.org

            3- Deadline to submit your email is Wednesday, September 25

            4- Sorry you don’t get points for doing all 9 items but we will be impressed.

            5- Questions?? – Reach out to HR

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays

  • September 3- Grace Park
  • September 5- Melissa Gomez- Quintanar
  • September 6- Natalia Magana
  • September 6- Gregory Peralta
  • September 8- Preston Bryant
  • September 10- Jasmin Yoon
  • September 11- Bryan Zaragoza Hurtado
  • September 11- Christine Zacamitzin
  • September 11- Christian Morales
  • September 15- Nayon Kang
  • September 15- Porfirio Marin
  • September 16- Karen Salas
  • September 17- Jorge Vallecillos
  • September 18- Jerry Levinson
  • September 22- Janice Lee
  • September 25- Hayoung Lee
  • September 27- Edgar Juarez
  • September 29- Hassan White
  • October 2- Cesar Lopez
  • October 4- Jessica Chung
  • October 8- Alberto Soria
  • October 8- Amanda Jeon
  • October 13- Conzuelo Rodriguez
  • October 14- Hanna Kim
  • October 14- Alin Rangel
  • October 15- Karen Martinez Medina
  • October 16- Jeeho Andrew Lim
  • October 19- Melinda Alvarado Ruiz
  • October 21- Daniela Flores
  • October 23- Celia Longlax
  • October 27- Manuel De Leon Vasquez
  • October 31- Jasmin Kim

Work Anniversaries

  • September 1- 9 years- Myung Kee Kim
  • September 5- 1 year- Julie Dominquez
  • September 5- 1 year- Jorge Vallecillos
  • September 8- 10 years- Nedette Cuerno
  • September 8- 4 years- Kathleen Hobkirk
  • September 11- 1 year- Joann Won
  • September 13- 1 year- Esme Lee- Gardner
  • September 13- 8 years- Jovan Rodriguez
  • September 17- 6 years- Ana Carlin
  • September 18- 1 year- Liliana Dominguez
  • September 18- 1 year- Karen Martinez Medina
  • September 18- 1 year- Jasmin Yoon
  • September 19- 8 years- Jose Albert Rodriguez
  • September 26- 2 years- Skylar Jefferson
  • September 28- 35 years- Seung On Yoon
  • October 3- 8 years- Rodolfo Fortiz
  • October 4- 3 years- Ha Yeon Kim
  • October 4- 20 years- Ernie Yoshikawa
  • October 5- 3 years- Nicholas Creason
  • October 11- 3 years- Davide Pigliacelli
  • October 11- 1 year- Gabriela Guerra
  • October 11- 1 year- Linnea Skotte
  • October 14- 20 years- Tommy Rendon
  • October 18- 18 years- Audrey Casillas
  • October 26- 2 years- Celina Mendez
  • October 29- 17 years- Nayon Kang
  • October 31- 2 years- Oscar Guardado Campos

Redefining a profession

Pharmacists used to mix chemicals by hand to create prescriptions.

Opticians used to grind lenses from scratch.

Lawyers used to start with an empty page.

Graphic designers needed to know how to draw.

All of these jobs are still important. None of them are the same as they were thirty years ago.

In your work, are you fighting the change or leading it?

It’s hard to see us going back.

–          Seth’s Blog