KCCD hosted a New Year Kick Off and Partners Appreciation Reception to give thanks to the Lord and to supporters, and to share plans for the new year.
Korean Churches for Community Development (KCCD) held a reception to honor its partners, celebrate its service during 2014, and share visions for 2015 at its New Year's Kick-Off & Partner Appreciation Reception at the Belasco Theater on Feb. 9.
A variety of groups was represented at the reception, including elected officials, church and ministry leaders, media, police officers, and representatives from non-profit organizations. Church leaders present at the reception included Michael Lee, the senior pastor of Young Nak Celebration Church, and Timothy Park from Glory Church of Jesus Christ. Congressman Ed Royce, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and Councilmember and former mayor of La Palma Steve Hwangbo were among the elected officials who attended.
"I'm so proud of what KCCD is doing, because the Korean community and the church community are both so important," said Hwangbo. "One way we love our God is to love our neighbors, and I pray that KCCD will continue to do this work effectively."
Over the years, KCCD has provided numerous programs, including computer literacy classes, mental health seminars, disaster preparedness education, and homeownership and financial literacy classes, in hopes to create a platform by which the church can actively engage and serve its members as well as the greater community. Of note, KCCD has helped to save some $87 million in mortgages through its homeownership programs.
Another program that KCCD highlights is the National Lighting the Community Summit, in which the Asian American / Pacific Islander (AAPI) faith leaders are able to visit the White House and shed light on urgent issues affecting the AAPI community. In 2014 in particular, those who went to the 7th annual trip were able to be a part of a White House briefing for the very first time.
Hyepin Im, the president and CEO of KCCD, also shared some plans that KCCD hopes to fulfill during the year of 2015, including a pastoral internship program to train the next generation of ministry leaders, building affordable housing units, and creating a blog to discuss social issues from a Christian perspective.
"As we look to the future, we are excited about what new doors will open in the upcoming year," Im shared. "We at KCCD truly believe that God is at work amongst us, and through our friends and partners, KCCD is able to give hope to those who need it most."
