[Next Gen Leader: Steve Kang – KYCC]
During the 1970s, the City of Los Angeles became a hub for intense gang activities and widespread drug abuse, even prompting a federal agency to establish an Organized Crime and Narcotics division, a specialized task force aimed to crack down on such illegal activities.
Koreatown, mirroring the broader city, was no exception, also faced numerous incidents of violence and unrest during this period. It was in 1975 when Korean leaders initiated a campaign to protect the children of Koreatown from the prevailing unsafe environment of aggressiveness and incitement adversely affecting the youth, founding the Korean Youth Center (KYC).
The 1990s yet remained marked by chaos, particularly during the 1992 Los Angeles riots when streets and vehicles were set ablaze, leaving behind painful memories. To restore the deserted place into the home of the people, KYC spearheaded Koreatown’s healing process, aided by government support, launching the organization’s traditional tree planting initiative in the areas, not just for beautification but also to revitalize life in Koreatown.
Recognizing the need to serve a broader spectrum of residents, KYC expanded its name to the Korean Youth Community Center, reflecting its commitment to assisting everyone in need including Korean Americans, Latinos, and others of the community in Koreatown at large. The organization later evolved into the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC), the name under which it operates today. KYCC stands as the largest nonprofit group in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, with over 200 employees dedicated to providing community services.
KYCC not only offers direct support to local communities but also plays a vital role in calling attention to Koreatown’s challenges and issues to government authorities and the broader society. Steve Kang, 38, plays a crucial role at KYCC, facilitating communication between the voice of Koreatown residents and the City of Los Angeles.
Born in Yeoncheon, Korea, in 1986, Kang immigrated to La Crescenta, California, and later pursued his education in political science at Columbia University, followed by a master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Unlike some of his peers who pursued careers in Washington D.C. and New York, Kang was drawn back to California, motivated by a desire to serve the Korean American community in Los Angeles. where he finds his home.
A pivotal moment in Kang’s career occurred when he had the opportunity to work for former City Council member David Ryu, the first Korean-American councilman to be elected in the city,” said Kang. Overseeing Ryu’s campaign as an API outreach coordinator, Kang’s journey led him to the role of Executive Director of the Korean American Coalition (KAC) in July 2015. His experience in the political field also led him to be appointed as a District Director of the California State Assembly, before joining KYCC as a Director of External Affairs & Public Policy in February 2018.
Kang characterizes KYCC as a proactive organization dedicated to providing direct social services and addressing community concerns. KYCC’s scope of work encompasses a broad range of services, including clinical services, drug prevention programs, youth education, family and homeless housing, tax preparation, and liaising with local government on community issues.
KYCC’s notable initiatives include collaborating with city government to ban flavored tobacco, launching a community navigator program with the SBA, and advocating for policy changes such as when the California DMV announced reducing Asian Pacific language options from driving tests. KYCC was California’s only organization to receive a $1 million grant for the SBA’s program. KYCC is actively engaged in current missions, including efforts to readjust LA’s electoral districts and transform college campuses in LA into smoke-free environments.
“Koreatown belongs to everyone who lives in Koreatown,” said Kang, adding “that is why we have to care about the environment and the issues related to where we live.” Kang believes that embracing a sense of ownership over Koreatown treating it as a collective home, is key to fostering a better community. “Anyone can contribute. If there is any issue that you care about, I encourage you to come forward and share talent with the community.”
This is how KYCC makes monthly and annual events on the calendar possible. “Without the help of interns, volunteers, and support groups, we would not make our services available to so many,” Kang said. KYCC’s volunteer coordinators recruit individuals passionate about contributing to the community, ranging from teaching assistants to preschool teachers, totaling thousands of volunteers until today.
Several corporations, including Paramount Studios, NBC Universal, and Alo Yoga, actively participate in supporting KYCC’s initiatives, such as street cleaning and donating toys for the annual holiday Carnival last December to children of low-income families.
The support from both public and private to make the community a beautiful place is how KYCC could run the organization as a nonprofit for nearly 50 years. KYCC secures approximately $25 million annually in grants. This funding includes about 60% from government contracts, 20-30% from foundations, and the remaining from various fundraising efforts, such as golf tournaments and concerts, as well as private donations like those from Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Aiming to resolve ongoing challenges in Koreatown, Kang also emphasized the importance of collaborations with various organizations. “Those include Asian nonprofit organizations like the Korean American Coalition (KAC) and also offices of local politicians and foundations with hopes of making Koreatown a safe and beautiful place to live and work,” he said.
Recently, KYCC has intensified its focus on the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, a chronic issue that has seen a noticeable rise in the Koreatown neighborhood. “The pandemic significantly increased the number of people living on the streets,” noted Kang, adding “Now that it turned to an endemic phase, government agencies are reducing funds granted to organizations.”
KYCC plans to expand its homeless support initiatives, from moving homeless people to shelters and temporary housing to also supporting them to move into permanent housing eventually. The program offers comprehensive services, including mental health treatment, drug prevention support, and practical assistance like purchasing furniture, spanning up to three years after move-in. “Our goal at KYCC is to offer a one-stop solution to assist the homeless, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to avoid returning to the streets,” Kang explained. “It’s definitely not an easy thing. We have to talk and listen to them, convince them, and provide continuous love and support to solve this problem.”
KYCC’s range of services and events extends to offering tax return assistance, prevention education programs, and educational and care services for low-income families. Additionally, KYCC currently manages 209 low-income housing units, ensuring the health and well-being of the families residing in them.
Kang plays a pivotal role in facilitating these community events with support from the government and mainstream society, ensuring that the voices of Koreatown reach local politicians and city officials. His devotion to the community as a leader of many local organizations explains how.
Apart from his dedication to KYCC, Kang also holds several directorial and board member positions across various organizations. His roles include Board Director at the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) and Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA), Board Chair at the Korean American Democratic Committee (KADC), Southern California Outreach & Local Clubs Chair at Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus, and also Commissioner in Central Los Angeles Area Planning Commission.
“I see my role as a bridge, facilitating meaningful change in Koreatown with the involvement of both first and second-generation immigrants. It’s about uniting and serving the entire Koreatown community, not just Korean-Americans,” Kang emphasized. “To achieve this, we rely on community support. Being a nonprofit largely sustained by the younger generation’s involvement, we need individuals genuinely committed to making a difference.”
KYCC’s long-term goal is to extend its services beyond Koreatown, reaching out to all communities across LA and Orange County. “Next-generation leaders are vital in unifying and amplifying the community’s voice, ensuring we have a strong platform to address residents’ concerns with the city,” Kang added.
“We need heightened awareness of ongoing issues in the community. These concerns must be voiced publicly and brought to the attention of those who can enact change. Whether it’s engaging in local politics, voting, or even participating in community volunteer events, every bit of involvement counts.”
BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
