Youth Participants ( 2022-2023)
Anderson Pastor
Youth Participant
Anderson Pastor is a senior at Roybal Learning Center. Originally from Guatemala, he joined the KARS Youth Empowering Council to learn more about community issues and storytelling. Anderson plays soccer and volleyball, mentors younger students through Para Los Niños, and volunteers at his local library. He hopes to study business and finance or possibly psychology at USC.
Anderson’s story →
Bisma Kashif
Youth Participant
Bisma Kashif is a junior at Larchmont Charter High School in Koreatown, where she grew up. She joined the KARS Youth Empowering Council to learn more about recovery and community health. Bisma volunteers at Good Samaritan Hospital and Kaiser, works backstage as a stage manager for school plays, and has participated in local political campaigns. She hopes to study medicine and pursue a career in medical research focused on how drugs affect the brain.
bisma’S story →
Diana Orellana
Youth Participant
Diana Orellana is a junior at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, where she attends the Academic Leadership Community. Born and raised in Koreatown, she appreciates how close-knit and family-oriented her neighborhood is — her relatives even live on her block. Diana joined the KARS to learn more about substance use and help support others in her community. She hopes to study aerospace engineering and enjoys math, theater, and leadership activities at school.
DIANA’s story →Esmeralda Tajiy
Youth Participant
Esmeralda Tajiy is a senior at Rise Kohyang High School in Koreatown. She joined KARS after hearing about it from a friend and wanting to learn how to use Narcan to help others. Esmeralda has seen firsthand how substance use affects her friends and family, motivating her to raise awareness and share resources in her community. She hopes to become a nurse — possibly in pediatrics or dentistry — where she can combine her love of healthcare with her passion for uplifting and caring for others.
esmeralda’s story →
Jennifer Cifuentes
Youth Participant
Jennifer Cifuentes is a junior at Fairfax High School. She grew up in Koreatown, where she lived for 10 years before moving to West Hollywood, and still feels closely connected to the community. Jennifer joined KARS to learn more about the opioid crisis and help spread awareness among her peers. She hopes to create a school club focused on education and prevention around substance use and dreams of making a positive impact by helping others access recovery resources and support.
jennifer’S story →
Jisoo Yoo
Youth Participant
Jisoo Yoo is a student at Rise Kohyang High School. Born in Seoul and raised in Koreatown since the age of two, Jisoo considers the neighborhood her home. Through her internship at KYCC, she’s learned about the impact of opioids and stimulants on her community and peers. Witnessing the normalization of drug use among local youth has motivated her to raise awareness and advocate for education around substance misuse and recovery. Jisoo hopes to continue helping her community by combining social work and outreach to promote a safer, more informed Koreatown.
jisoo’s story →Joyta Biswas
Youth Participant
Joyta Biswas is a student at Bravo High School who joined KARS to help her community and build meaningful connections. Joyta grew up spending time in Koreatown and still feels connected to its vibrant culture, food, and people. Through KARS, she’s become more aware of the impacts of substance misuse and hopes to use what she’s learned to support others — especially family members and peers — by encouraging awareness, compassion, and access to help.
JOYTA’s story →
Kate Jung
Youth Participant
Kate Jung is a freshman at LACES who lives in Koreatown. She’s active in her school’s Science Bowl, plays guitar, and takes hip-hop and jazz dance classes. Through KARS, she’s learning about substance misuse and recovery — an issue she’s seen affect her peers and community. Kate hopes to raise awareness among other students and promote healthier, more supportive environments in schools.
KATE’S story →
Katherine Rivas
Youth Participant
Katherine Rivas is a junior at University High School and has lived in Koreatown for her entire life. She values her community for its diversity, accessibility, and the connections it fosters with family and friends. Katherine has participated in multiple KYCC programs, including Bridge, KORYO, and KARS! She is passionate about sharing knowledge about opioids, stimulants, and recovery services, using her experiences to educate peers and support those in need.
KATHERINE’s story →Lauren Gilbert
Youth Participant
Lauren Gilbert is a senior at Hamilton High School who lives near West Adams and Culver City. Lauren has participated in KARS and other programs like Peer Health Advocates and suicide prevention initiatives, where she engages in outreach, education, and advocacy around substance use. She emphasizes that addiction is not a reflection of weakness but often a result of unaddressed circumstances or lack of resources. Her focus is on helping others navigate addiction with support, perspective, and the understanding that recovery is possible.
LAUREN’s story →
Pablo Chinchilla
Youth Participant
Pablo Chinchilla, a senior at Los Angeles Senior High School, lives in Mid-City, Los Angeles. He joined KARS to help his community and raise awareness about opioid and stimulant use. Through KARS, he learned about the effects of these substances and how to educate others, including distributing Narcan and participating in community events. He hopes to make a difference by spreading awareness, supporting recovery services, and helping teens find healthier ways to manage stress.
PABLO’S story →
Siyeon (Carol) Kim
Youth Participant
Siyeon “Carol” Kim is a student at Downtown Magnets High School. She enjoys the resources and calm atmosphere of her Koreatown neighborhood, with favorite spots like Seoul International Park. Carol joined KARS to learn about opioids and stimulants and to help peers struggling with substance use. Through KARS, she hopes to educate others about the effects of drugs and encourage those struggling to seek help.
SIYEON’s story →