Kids Are Mentors Too

Mentoring is one of the advantages that comes out of having mixed-aged groups in our classes. By the end of the school year, the children’s various skills increase by leaps and bounds. The older children help the younger children with tasks they are not yet ready to accomplish on their own, while teaching patience and empathy. The younger children, in turn, are inspired to tackle newer, more difficult tasks that others their age group would not usually attempt on their own. While teachers can facilitate learning in many ways, sometimes there is no substitution for the discovery and collaboration that happens between peers.

 

 

“Creating Harmony Beyond Music”

The KYCC is partnering with the Korean American Women’s Association to proudly present its 7th annual benefit concert at the dazzling Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 24. The melodic event will bring KYCC staff, clients and supporters together for a memorable night of classical music, jazz and Korean and American traditional music. The concert will also showcase the varied talents of four celebrated soloists – soprano Angel Blue, pianist Clarissa Kim, trumpeter Jens Lindemann, and guitarist Scott Tennant, as well as world-renowned conductor Jong Hoon Bae. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to join us in creating harmony beyond music, as it supports KYCC’s on-going programs and services for low-income children, youth and families in Koreatown. Ticket prices range from $20 to $100, and many sponsorship opportunities are available.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Ta at (213) 365-7400, ext. 240, or e-mail her at jta@kyccla.org.

 

 

KYCC Member Goes Above And Beyond

Following the popularity of last year’s tax preparation project, KYCC registered as a stand-alone site to continue providing free income tax preparation services in 2008. KYCC contributed more than 325 hours of services as part of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign Partnership between the City and County of Los Angeles and various partners. From the end of January until the April tax filing deadline, KYCC’s 75 VITA volunteers and 12 staff members completed 756 tax returns, bringing nearly $360,000 in refunds back into the community, including $174,000 in earned-income tax credits and more than $57,000 in child tax credits.

 

United Way, which led the EITC Campaign Partnership this year, recently held a luncheon in honor of the volunteers and organizations that contributed to the success of the partnership. Jessica Estrada, KYCC’s middle school lead instructor and mother of two, was among the six volunteers presented with the “Above and Beyond Volunteer Award.” Estrada enthusiastically volunteered many hours during tax season, and Spanish-speaking families especially appreciated the professionalism and sensitivity she offered as a translator. “I saw a lot of families who were struggling to get their taxes prepared, who either didn’t know or weren’t taking advantage of the free tax services,” said Estrada. “Through the continuing EITC Campaign Partnership, they will now know where to go for assistance.”