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purpose

KCDSC was established to assist newly-arrived Asian American immigrants and refugees with cultural and language barriers in overcoming their barriers and adjusting to their new country.

origin

In 1983, the Korean Center was organized as a crime prevention and community relations organization and was called Korean Crime Prevention Committee but the purpose of the organization was changed to serve the needs of the community members who needed assistance in making necessary adjustment to their new society. Thus the name was changed to Korean Community Development Services Center in 1985. Since that time, the mission has evolved to address the needs of the clients from diverse ethnic groups the agency is now serving. The current primary mission is: I) To assist needy clients in becoming self-reliant; 2) To improve their quality of life, and 3) To help them become active in their community. Comprehensive services are provided to serve the special needs of its clients.

how it works

KCDSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community service organization that is designed to serve the needs of low and moderate income residents through a variety of programs. Our strategy is to establish a one-stop comprehensive service in cooperation with outside agencies in order to provide all necessary services for our clients. We have established a child care center for preschool age children; after-school tutoring and activity programs for school-aged children; mentoring and summer employment programs for high school youth; literacy and citizenship education and employment programs for adults; literacy education, gardening, and social service programs for elderly; immigration service, housing counseling and development programs and support for business owners and community residents through a commercial corridor revitalization project.

service area

Our primary focus area is the Olney neighborhood of the city of Philadelphia and the nearby neighborhoods of Logan, East and West Oak Lane, and Lower Northeast. Our center is located in zip code 19120, in census tract 275. Many of our clients are residents of census tracts 274 and 275 with the following demographics: 21% white, 47% African American, 18% Asian, 8% other race, 5% two or more races, 15% Hispanic.

track record

KCDSC began its service operation in 1985 with one part-time staff member with a budget of $13,000 and revenue of $24,000 and the budget for 2005 was $1,542,663 with a revenue of $1,463,000 and a staff of 106. KCDSC has gradually established a comprehensive community service program which includes job counseling and placement, a child care center, an after-school tutoring program for children, a summer youth employment, adult literacy education, elderly social security and medicaid services, housing counseling and development. The housing development program acquired and renovated 60 vacant houses for low-to-moderate-income first-time homebuyers for the past nine years.

future plans

One of our priorities is to expand its housing counseling program to include tenant counseling for low-income elderly. The second priority includes the housing development program with a plan of developing 15 single family homes for low-income first-time homebuyers in 2007. KCDSC would like area banks to expand their lending to our community businesses which are having difficulty in securing low-interest loans. The third involves the promotion of low-interest residential and commercial loans for our community members.

Budget (2006)

$1,330,000

funding sources

KCDSC is funded by a diverse source of funds, including grants and contracts from public agencies and foundations, individual contributions as well as program fees from rentals, day care and housing development.

staff

KCDSC employs 12 full-time and 40 part-time employees.

contact person's background

Jin H. Yu Ph.D., is the founder of the organization and has served as its first board chairman and executive director for the past 20 years.
jhy@koreancenter.org

officers

Jim Cho- Chairman

Jay Kang- Board Treasurer & Secretary