In 2004, KCCD received a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to place 26 VISTA members at KCCD and our affiliate organizations. VISTA members dedicate themselves to a year of full-time service in a local nonprofit to address poverty in low-income communities. With KCCD, VISTAs receive extensive leadership training and exposure to the nonprofit industry and key leaders, including elected officials, community leaders and stakeholders, and also receive a monthly stipend. Through KCCD’s program, VISTA graduates have gone on to achieve successful careers at organizations such as the California Endowment and United Way, and even started their own nonprofits. 

Jessica Ku, a University of California, Irvine graduate with a background in criminology, law and society, was hired as KCCD’s Youth Workforce Program manager after her VISTA term. She never thought she would have a practical use for her educational background outside of pursuing law.

“KCCD has given me a unique look into the inner workings of nonprofits and partnerships,” Jessica says. “It was worth it to sacrifice a year of higher pay in exchange for opportunities to network and connect with high profile leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. I have even been able to speak on a national platform with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. My experiences here have been invaluable, and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way.” 

Participants from KCCD’s recent marriage education series.

Stanford graduate Joanna Han joined the VISTA program in August as KCCD’s Workforce Development manager. Joanna says, “With KCCD, I’ve been able to handle significant responsibilities developing KCCD’s employment partnerships and job placement initiative.” She has also come to appreciate that networking, partnerships and collaborations are essential to develop programs that support the community.

“If anyone has a passion for the community, KCCD’s VISTA program is a great place to start, and I would highly recommend it!”

For information about KCCD VISTA opportunities, please contact KCCD at (213) 984-4243 or kccdemail@kccd3300.org. For general information about the AmeriCorps*VISTA program, visit www.americorps.org.

 

 

Marital Bliss Begins With Education

 

KCCD’s Asian Pacific American Healthy Marriage Network recently hosted a successful 12-week marriage education series in partnership with the Korea Daily and HIS University, featuring Dr. Eun Soon Yang. This workshop focused on relationship skills for couples, individuals and leaders who wanted to learn the curriculum. 

This class helped participants to improve their communication skills and enhance relationships not only with their spouses but with others with whom they interact every day. One graduate of the seminar series said, “Communicating with my husband has been very difficult. However, this class gave me a sense of relief. I learned that men and women have their own language, which makes it foreign to one another. This class gave me courage when professor Yang explained that it takes almost two years to learn a language. The message of freedom and faith in love gave me a clear direction for my marriage.”