Elder Participants
Spring/Summer 2020
We live and work in Los Angeles’s Koreatown. Read more about our life experiences and discover the ways that COVID-19 has impacted and upended our day-to-day lives.
Gilbert K.
Elder Participant
Gilbert is an elderly resident at the Menlo Family Apartments, as well as a father to three children and grandfather to two grandchildren. Working as a teacher (for elementary, middle, and high school) in Korea during the 1970s, he has seen firsthand how the country has developed and advanced over the years. He came to America some 20 years ago at the bequest of his family members, and he now spends his days playing tennis, reading books, traveling, and spending time with his family.
gilbert’s story →
Jong P.
Elder Participant
Jong is a 75-year-old senior who is currently living in the Menlo Family Apartments with her husband in Koreatown. She was born in Masan, South Korea and studied Theology at a small college in Seoul, South Korea. Jong and her husband worked as a pastor in Korea, and then immigrated to America after receiving a pastoral invitation. Now, she is retired and spends most of her time at home. In her free time, she loves to go on hikes at Griffith Park, walk around the neighborhood, read the Bible, and meet with her church friends.
Jong’s Story →
Sean N.
Elder Participant
Sean is a volunteer with KYCC’s Youth Services, where he tutors students one-on-one with homework help. Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Sean came to the U.S. in 1999. As a first-generation Korean American businessman, Sean has an office in Koreatown, where he works in the medical device industry and invests in start-ups. He has a patent for his medical device and a law degree in intellectual property rights. He is a father of three, enjoys guitar and golf, and taking walks twice a day.
Sean's story →
Catherine C.
Elder Participant
Catherine C. is a mother of three and a sister to five other siblings. As the eldest sibling, a need to take care of her family came naturally to her. After living most of her life in the Philippines and working nearly a decade in Singapore, in early 2003, Catherine decided to move to the US to keep her family together. Her family later moved with her to Koreatown in late 2003.
catherine’s story →
Pastor Joe
Elder Participants
P. Joe is the Senior Pastor at Holy Gospel Church* and the academic chief officer at New Life School*. Joe immigrated to Koreatown in 1989, and having lived in Koreatown for over 30 years, Joe has both seen it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Koreatown is not only his home, but he received his spiritual calling within this community to pursue ministry and his passions of education, mentorship, and leadership.
pastor joe's Story →
Sung L.
Elder Participant
Sung is a 65-year-old senior who is currently residing in a Koreatown apartment with her husband. She was born in Seoul, South Korea and worked as a Seoul city official until she immigrated to America with her husband in 1978. She worked as a caregiver for seniors, making meals for them, accompanying them to the market, and having conversations with them. She retired last year and in her free time, she likes to meet with her church friends.
sung's Story →
Andrew C.
Program Participant
Andrew is 25 years old and was previously in several homeless shelters until he found a permanent home at Menlo Family Housing. He was adopted in Germany by Italian parents and lived most of his life in Long Island. He left New York in 2015, and was briefly caught up in drug usage. He enjoys fishing but hasn’t been able to recently because of the coronavirus. He likes to spend time with his cat, Casper, in his apartment.
andrew’s story →
Jennifer L.
Elder Participant
Jennifer is a 66-year-old woman who immigrated to the United States in 1979 when she was 20 years old. As a single mom in the United States, Jennifer worked extremely hard to support her and her daughter. She worked as a housekeeper, retail store employee, and babysitter in America.
JEnnifer's Story →
Angela L.
Elder Participant
Angela works at a Korean newspaper in Koreatown, where she oversees the website and other media. She has several years of media experience, having worked at MBC and other newspaper agencies. She is a resident at KYCC’s Menlo Family Apartments, where she lives with her four children.
Angela’s Story →