December 2023

KYCC’s Prevention Education Hosts MYPARC Leadership Program

From March through November, KYCC’s MYPARC Leadership Program hosted a 10-month hybrid internship guided by the Youth Participatory Action Research framework, that allows high school students to enhance their leadership, advocacy, and research skills to promote community wellness and a safe environment at MacArthur Park. Read more

Prevention Education Celebrates Dia de los Muertos with Third Annual 5K Walk & Run

On November 11, 2023 KYCC Prevention Education hosted the third annual 5K Walk & Run and Resource Fair, inspired by the success of their first event titled “Run for Love 5K” hosted in March of 2022. Read more

Community News

KYCC FamilySource Center in the News!

KYCC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of our new FamilySource Center located at KYCC’s Menlo Family Apartments. Our FamilySource Center will provide a myriad of braided social, education, employment, and family support services designated to assist low-income families to become more self-sufficient through asset building, stabilizing housing, and increasing academic attainment for youth and adults. Learn more about our FamilySource Center services here. 

KYCC’s 30th Annual Holiday Carnival

On December 9th, KYCC celebrated its 30th Annual Holiday Carnival at Hobart Boulevard Elementary School in Koreatown! KYCC’s Holiday Carnival began three decades ago when our dedicated staff were inspired to give back and spread holiday spirit in the community. This year, we were able to give out over 1,000 toys to 600 households in the community.

Thank you to all of our amazing staff and the many hours they dedicated to help make this event magical!

December Holidays

Kwanzaa

Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.

Kwanzaa begins December 26 through January 1.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah (hɑːnəkə/) is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shammash (“attendant”). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival.

Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods.

Christmas

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, who is worshipped as the Son of God in Christianity, the world’s largest religion. Observed primarily on December 25, it’s a feast central to the Christian liturgical year and follows the season of Advent (which begins four Sundays before) or the Nativity Fast, and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night. Christmas Day is a public holiday in most countries, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the holiday season organized around it.

The traditional Christmas narrative recounted in the New Testament, known as the Nativity of Jesus, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was 

The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving; completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and caroling; watching Christmas movies; viewing a Nativity play; an exchange of Christmas cards; church services; a special meal; and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and the Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions.

Happy Holidays to All!!!

Birthdays and Anniversaries

The Hard Part First

If you’re trying to reduce risk, do the hard part first. That way, if it fails, you’ll have minimized your time and effort.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for buy-in and commitment so you can through the hard part, do it last. People are terrible at ignoring sunk costs, and the early wins and identity shifts that come from the easy successes at the beginning will give you momentum as you go.

–          Seth’s Blog