The Korean seniors harmonica class from our grantee partner, the KoreaTown Senior & Community Center, recently made headlines for leading a crowd of thousands in singing the national anthem at the Stanley Cup playoff games. Invited twice by the LA Kings, their joyful and powerful presence lit up the arena – a moving reminder of the talents and vibrance they bring to our community.

As the Korean American senior population continues to grow, so does the need to ensure our elders have the resources and support to age with agency, dignity, and connection. Thanks to your support, we’re building a stronger community that affirms their self-determination.

Between 2011 and 2021, the number of Korean Americans aged 65 and older increased by nearly 70%. At the same time, our study found that 7 in 10 Korean seniors in Los Angeles struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and health care. As living costs continue to rise and more seniors turn to trusted organizations for help navigating the realities of aging, our role has never been more critical.

We are proud to partner with three nonprofit organizations that are helping to meet the growing needs of Korean American seniors in Southern California:

A Safe Space to Gather and Thrive: KoreaTown Senior and Community Center

The Koreatown Senior & Community Center provides free meals, public benefits assistance in Korean, and a safe space where seniors can stay connected, and even pick up new hobbies, like playing the harmonica. With looming public funding cuts, unrestricted funding for organizations like this is more important than ever.

“KACF의 지원은 저희가 LA 카운티에서 가장 큰 시니어 센터로서의 역할을 지속할 수 있도록 할 뿐만 아니라, 서비스 범위를 확장하고 더 많은 어르신들을 지원하겠다는 목표를 달성하는 데에도 큰 도움이 될 것입니다.” (“KACF’s funding will not only sustain our work as the largest senior center in LA County, but also enable us to expand our services and serve ever more seniors.”)

신영신, 한인타운 시니어 & 커뮤니티 센터 이사장 (Yong Shin, Board Chair of KoreaTown Senior & Community Center

Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors: Korean Resource Center

Navigating housing options can be especially challenging for immigrant seniors who are low-income and face language and cultural barriers. The Korean Resource Center (KRC) addresses this need by not only providing affordable housing, but also connecting residents to vital social services that support their well-being and independence. As KRC continues to serve a growing population, we’re proud to go beyond funding to support the organization’s plans for long-term growth.

“KACF’s capacity building support has been huge for KRC. Through the recent staff retreats and ongoing guidance, we’ve been able to realign our priorities as an organization, strengthen our internal leadership, and map out an actionable plan and path forward. It’s been helping us grow strategically not just as an organization, but as a team with a honed sense of purpose and direction.”

Isaac Kim, Executive Director of Korean Resource Center (KRC)

Support for Seniors and Families Navigating the Challenges of Caregiving: Somang Society

Nonprofits are stronger when they don’t have to work in isolation. That’s why we bring organizations together to share knowledge and build a community of peers advancing similar missions.

Somang Society supports seniors and their caregivers as they navigate the complex realities of dementia and cognitive decline. Recognizing that primary caregivers are not always nearby or equipped with culturally sensitive support, the organization has been eager to connect with other KACF grantee partners across Southern California and beyond as part of KACF’s national cohort of grantee partners.

“A collaborative network is so important to serve seniors with caregivers who are not in the same state. Connecting with other nonprofits sharing similar challenges is so important because we can learn from each other and share resources to broaden our reach to more seniors and their families who need to support.”

Dr. Hye-Won Shin, Executive Director of Somang Society

Because of you, and their families seniors across Southern California and beyond are finding a community of support, stability, and support in the face of growing challenges. Thank you for being part of building a thriving future for all Korean Americans.

Grants to the Koreatown Senior & Community Center and Somang Society were generously co-funded by the Seoul Medical Group as part of a donor-advised partnership with KACF.