History
KCC was founded in 2000 under the name of Friends of Grace Seniors (FGS) as a non-profit organization by Dr. Kye-Eun Ma, who recognized the needs of the community of Korean seniors. With the needs of this community top of mind, she established FGS in Fort Lee, NJ, for Korean residents to easily access health/welfare, social, cultural, and educational services.
The organization was renamed to FGS Korean Community Center and moved to Englewood, NJ, in 2004. It has expanded quickly, providing a variety of services such as cultural/educational programs and medical/welfare services to the rapidly growing Korean-American community. In addition, by forming the Young People's Network (YPN) for second generation immigrants, it continued to build a bridge to the American Society by advancing empowerment and participation in the Korean community. and promoting the Korean cultural heritage and social identity. With this, the KCC Korean American Center opened as a place of harmony - not only for the senior community, but also for all age groups.
In 2013, KCC purchase a property in Tenafly, NJ, and started the construction of its own building. The new Korean Community Center is a modern three-story, 21,000 square foot facility. In 2015, the facility opened its new doors under the name of Korean Community Center (KCC) and encouraged the participation of young families and children with more enhanced programs for infants and children. In addition, it has begun to develop its role as a link that helps generational understanding and harmony through culture and arts education.
KCC has partnered with specialized organizations to launch a variety of new programs such as senior re-employment support programs and open learning programs to accelerate efforts to go beyond existing educational and cultural activities. In addition, by opening more in-depth programs such as initiatives for families of children with autism and free legal counseling, the organization strived to achieve financial and organizational stability in order to provide more advanced services.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, KCC expanded the scope of its social services by establishing a Pandemic Well-being Program that strengthens its health and social service areas. KCC created a community relief project and economic empowerment program which encompasses various underprivileged groups. In addition, KCC presented leadership and vision as a true community center that helps all Korean immigrants in crisis by exchanging information between local organizations and establishing closer partnerships.
-
1/10/2002, 매거진 "헬스 앤 서비스" 창간호 발행 및 배부
-
3/22/2002, 창립 2주년 기념 만찬을 대원에서 갖고 벤 구입을 위한 기금모금을 갖다
-
8/1/2002, 버겐카운티 노인국과 공식 계약을 맺고 와병노인을 위한 케어메니지 멘트 프로그램을 시작하다
-
10/1/2002, 버겐카운티 노인국의 "Key Services Guide for Older Adults"에 FGS 이름이 오르다
-
11/5/2002, 시니어서비스를 위한 기금모금 만찬을 대원에서 갖고 노인사회복지 상담을 위한 사무실, 전화 컴퓨터 설치하다
-
1/1/2001, 임대공간 확장 (1700 sq. ft)으로 사무실과 컴퓨터교실 시작
-
4/27/2001, 기금모금 만찬으로 대원에서 갖다
-
7/1/2001, 프로그램 장소를 1층으로 확장 (4000 sq. ft)으로 운동교실, 도자기교실, 갤러리 마련하다
-
11/13/2001, 부 그랜트 (Special Legislative Grant)를 처음으로 $20,000 받다 주하원의원 Rose Heck의 추천
-
12/1/2001, 버겐카운티 헬스포럼을 본 센터에서 개최하고 처음으로 버겐카운티 노인국에 센터를 알리기 시작함
-
2/16/2000, 뉴저지 주에 비영리 단체로 등록
-
7/1/2000, 포트리 센터 (2000 Bigler St. 2nd Floor. Fort Lee, NJ 07024) 1000 sq. ft임대 시작
-
9/6/2000, IRS 501(C)(3) 면세 비영리기관으로 인정받음
-
10/22/2000, 첫번째 회원의 방 만찬을 대원에서 갖다