What’s New
Bank of America Staff Host Financial Literacy Talk for LNSN Youth
During the March Late Night Study Night (LNSN) sessions at KYCC’s Wilton Center, three staff members from Bank of America—Daniel Kim, Arnold Lebrilla and Michelle Choi—gave an introductory talk on financial literacy. Their comprehensive presentation covered various types of savings and checking accounts, as well as interest and credit scores.
KYCC Receives $5,000 Open Stewardship Foundation Grant for Menlo Programs
KYCC received a $5,000 grant from the Open Stewardship Foundation in March that will go toward supporting ongoing Menlo programs. This is the second year in a row that OSF has supported KYCC’s youth programs.
KYCC Discusses Economic Equity at L.A.’s Asset Building Symposium
KYCC’s Community Economic Development participated in two panels at the Asset Building Symposium on Feb. 21 at the Radisson Midtown Hotel at the University of Southern California. KYCC Economic Development Specialist Doris Valenzuela and Senior Financial Case Manager Audrey Casillas delivered presentations on financial well-being and free tax service providers.
Goodbye
Jerry Velasquez
Treeman
Hello, My KYCC Family,
I’ve been here for 15 years and have loved every moment along with caring for every person I have met at this agency. But now, with that being said, I have made the tough decision to leave this agency and pursue another job.
It truly has been one of the hardest choices for me to make, but with the love and support from my unit and every one here, I feel it is time to make my departure from KYCC.
I will take with me a lot of memories of all the work I did along with all the people I’ve met, in various communities, and of course, all the staff I had a pleasure to meet and work with.
I want to thank you all so much for everything.
I don’t feel like this is a goodbye, but more of a I’ll see you around and let’s keep in touch.
In conclusion, I love what we do at this agency and all I can say is I do love everyone who I got a chance to meet and talk to. And with that, I’d like to just say, please keep up the good work in the communities we work in.
My last official day will be
THANK YOU FOR ALL MEMORIES & EVERYTHING MY KYCC FAMILY.
If you would like to stay in touch with me here is my info jerry_a_v@yahoo.com or my cell 323-707-1672
Employee Spotlight
Anabel Torres
Head Teacher, Kids Town
Please Tell Me About Yourself?
I have lived in L.A most of my life. I have an 18 year old daughter who is in college, yikes!! I remember she was about 3 years old when I started working here at KYCC. That says how long I have been here at KYCC.
Can you share with us something most people don’t know about you?
What most people don’t know about me is that I collect gift cards. Not any gift cards, but they have to be unique.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time I like to go to the beach, go bike riding or catch a movie.
What do you love the most about your job, and what is the most challenging?
What I love most about working at KYCC are the children. Every day is different and fun. I enjoy bonding with them and getting to know the whole family to be able to understand the child. The most challenging for me has been talking to parents about sensitive issues about their children. You never know how they will take it and we have to be very careful how we talk to them.
What inspires you to do the work you do?
What inspires me is when I see children blossom. When they are excited to keep doing something they learned to do that they were not able to do before. When parents notice the change and come to thank you. When children have fun with an activity. When I see children who are excited to see you.
How did you get into Kids Town?
Well, I got to KYCC first as an AmeriCorps member working with the off track morning program for elementary children and the after school program that KYCC offered. Then, I was hired as KYCCC staff when I completed my year as an AmeriCorps volunteer. I was going to school at that time getting child development classes without knowing that KYCC would ever open a center. So when I heard of their plans later on, I was definitely interested to be part of it. This is how I ended at Kids Town and who has been here since day one.
What is your fondest memory to date at your time at KYCC?
Wilton site, when most of the units were there. You got to see almost everyone from other units and have lunch together so you got to meet them. It was tiny, but very welcoming it was great. So many great memories.
Where do you imagine yourself to be 10 years from now?
I imagine myself in 10 years away from this real bad traffic in L.A. But I’m not sure where that would be.
Why do you consider KYCC a special place?
KYCC is a very special place for me. KYCC is very supportive to its staff. I still remember the people who helped me, some are still here and some are not.
If KYCC was a nursery song, what would it be, and why?
Maybe, “You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy, when clouds are gray….”
Quickfire quesitons
- Where is your hometown?
L.A. since I have spent most of life.
- What is your relationship with Koreatown?
I work and live in Koreatown.
- What are your thoughts on Koreatown?
It’s becoming a very interesting place. It has change and is still changing.
- Where is your favorite place in Koreatown and why?
I don’t have a favorite place I just love all the different restaurants!
Community News
Owner of Koreatown schools pleads guilty in ‘pay-to-stay’ immigration scheme
An argument on the purple line platform at Wilshire & Normandie led to a stabbing
The Hapa Japan Festival, a celebration of mixed-race and mixed-roots Japanese people, took place in Little Tokyo
How do foodscapes impact the neighborhood landscapes? Take a look at Chinatown to see how trendy restaurants impact gentrification
Check out this interactive map to see where 30+ developments will rise in Koreatown.
Dr. Seuss was a racist! See how kids used “Dr. Seuss Week” to bring awareness to Dr. Seuss’s lesser-known, racist past.
We love murals at KYCC, check out LA Weekly’s “20 most iconic murals in LA” list.
Birthdays and KYCC Anniversaries
Birthdays
- Mar. 5 – Julio Barahona
- Mar. 8 – Marianet Tirado Escareno
- Mar. 8 – Rudy Fortiz
- Mar. 9 – Sungbok Lee
- Mar. 9 – Byron Shinyama
- April 3 – Ernie Yoshikawa
- April 10 – Miguel Lopez
- April 18 – Will Levegood
- April 29 – Edith Bedolla
- April 29 – Rebecca Yu
Work Anniversaries
- Mar. 8 – 4 years – Ryan Allen
- Mar. 16 – 1 year – Jenny Park
- Mar. 20 – 14 years – Lisa Kim
- Mar. 26 – 1 year – Yancy Maravilla
- Mar. 30 – 1 year – Omar Chavez
- April 16 – 10 years – Joe St. John
- April 24 – 3 years – Julio Barahona
Open Positions
Have some talented and driven friends? Let them know about our open positions.
- Admin – Sr. Accountant
- Admin – Receptionist / Admin Assistant
- ES – Community Forestry and Beautification Manager
- ES – Data Specialist
- ES – Energy Conservation Trainee
- YS – Academic Instructor
- YS – Summer Day Camp Instructor
- CS – KISM Program Coordinator
- CS – Counselor III (Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Korean)
- CS – Counselor I (Bilingual English/Korean)
- CS – Clinical Supervisor
- KT – Preschool Head Teacher
Take Note!
Workplace Conversation and Gossip: Rules To Follow
Some really great tips from this article on Intelligent Barbarian. Read through the entire article for an in depth analysis on the following rules.
- Always avoid talking to colleagues about other colleagues
- Avoid topics of conversation that might make someone uncomfortable
- Be careful what information you share about yourself
- Don’t take the moral high ground – If you find yourself on the receiving end of gossip either tactfully change topics or just listen, without adding fuel to the fire.
- Don’t be the loudest person on the floor
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