KAFSC has launched its Healthy Youth Program, aimed to assist in solving the communication and cultural challenges faced by Korean American youth caught between the expectations of their immigrant parents and the pressures of school. The program serves students, ages 12 to 15.

For more than 24 years, KAFSC has examined the at-risk elements of the Korean immigrant community, and has been the primary resource for Korean adolescents who were victims of neglect and cultural misunderstanding within mainstream educational and career preparation systems. We lead the tough, community-changing work required to persuade the stakeholders in the surrounding area that child abuse and neglect is an issue in our community, and that Korean adolescents are especially in need of specialized linguistic and cultural support.

Korean youth face several challenges, yet this seldom renders results that come to the attention of the juvenile justice system; their problems are nevertheless real and potentially damaging to the long-term health and vitality of the community. KAFSC wants to provide a fresh alternative to the traditional services provided to Korean middle school children. Our goal is work with youth and their families to prevent risky behavior or other problems at school.

Welcome Will!

KAFSC would like to welcome William Pak, Healthy Youth’s lead counselor. He is currently a marriage family therapist trainee through the master’s program at Fuller. He emigrated from Korea at the age of 9, and grew up in Torrance, Calif. While attending Boston College, he attained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and discovered his passion for counseling. Through his own experiences as a 1.5-generation Korean American, he recognized the need to address the similar issues that confront Korean American youth. Will hopes to equip our young people with specific tools to enable them to manage a healthy lifestyle and future.