KCCD recently completed a successful first year of Communities Empowering Youth (CEY), its new training program for organizations. Participating organizations were able to benefit from the various trainings and consultations provided by KCCD, including program development, funding principles and strategies, board development, community assessment and practical program evaluation. Additionally, partner organizations received funding from KCCD to strengthen their organization and also gained access to a broad network of community partners and resources. KCCD will be identifying additional youth agencies.

Here are some quotes from our partner organizations:

“I have nothing but positives to say about the program. From our experience coming in as a partner, I think the trainings have been very helpful, not only the information and experience of the trainers, but also the partnerships, because we learn from each other and we have this opportunity to know each other on a more personal basis. I think out of this experience, other partnerships will form.”

“There’s a great sense of camaraderie and working together and learning from each other. … This has allowed us to engage at a level we wouldn’t have thought of and [we] have been able to move forward.”

“The individuals meetings I’ve had with our staff and the trainers have been very helpful and we’re excited about that.”

“In terms of [KCCD], these guys are great. They’re friendly. … The accessibility has been incredible. This has allowed us to broaden our scope and understanding not just the Asian youth but how we can better serve the Latino youth.”

KCCD CEY Participating Partner Organizations

Participating partner organizations include the Asian Youth Center, Pilipino’ Worker’s Center, All People’s Christian Center, Kollaboration, Our Saviour Center, P.F. Bresee Foundation, Step Off Ministry and CLAMA/Project R.Y.T.M.O.

 

KCCD is pleased to announce the award of $50,000 from the California Healthy Marriages Coalition to support KCCD’s continued work in the Korean American community to increase healthy marriages by providing accessible and affordable marriage education. Despite the model minority image, in a recent research study conducted by KCCD, nearly 50 percent of the participants reported that there is divorce or serious family or marital conflict within their immediate family. More than 80 percent felt that most Korean American families would benefit from marriage education classes. Additionally, in Korean American families, the second-most common source of marital or family conflict next to finances is problems with in-laws, specifically tensions with mothers-in-law. 

In addition to providing marriage education classes, KCCD is also working to change the Korean American perception of marriage education.

In reality, marriage education is not only for troubled couples, but in the same way that drivers’ education improves driving skills and prevents accidents, marriage education improves relationship skills and decreases “relationship accidents.” Individuals do not need to wait for marriage to learn these skills. Relationship skills can be taught to couples or individuals at any stage.