Our Mission
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower immigrants in the Bay Area through access to education, services, resources and advocacy. We are a bridge helping individuals get needed resources at critical moments in their lives.
Our Vision
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where immigrants and refugees thrive in an inclusive and equitable society and everyone has access to basic health care, housing, work and can be part of a safe, healthy and thriving community.
Our History
Early Settlement
Koreans first settled in the Bay Area in the 1900s. The Oakland Korean Methodist Church provided support to these early immigrants.
1977 The Beginning
Five community activists founded the Korean Community Center of the East Bay with support from the Methodist Church. Our mission is to assist newcomer Koreans in accessing basic needs and services.
1980 Establishing Non-Profit Status
KCCEB becomes an independent non-profit agency. Essential services for newcomers include: Social services, ESL classes, job skills training and senior citizens services.
1983 Our First Home
One hundred people pledge to make donations. Their contributions sponsor KCCEB’s first office location at 3538 Telegraph Ave in Oakland.
1984-1989 Koryo Village Center
KCCEB supports a small business incubator project. The project becomes the Koryo Village Center, opening its doors in 1989 at Telegraph Avenue and 44th Street in Oakland.
1991-1996 Immigration & Advocacy
Increasing anti-immigrant sentiment in California propels KCCEB to respond. In 1991, KCCEB hosts its first monthly immigration clinic.
1991-1996 Immigration & Advocacy
KCCEB joins coalition efforts to protest the passage of Proposition 187, a proposition that would deny healthcare and public education services for undocumented immigrants residing in California.
1992-1995 Small Business Community
After Sa-I-Gu (the 1992 LA Riots that resulted in devastation for many Korean small businesses), KCCEB helps establish the K-town Family Fund and other programs to support safety, violence prevention and community building.
1992-1995 Small Business Community
Through the Small Business Technical Assistance & Awareness Project, KCCEB provides technical assistance to start-ups and expands Korean immigrant businesses.
1994 -2002 Youth Development
KCCEB develops afterschool classes and Korean cultural arts for 1.5-2nd generation youth. KCCEB also sponsors Han Ma Um, a youth leadership summer camp in collaboration with UC Berkeley students.
2000 Shimtuh Program
The Bay Area's first & only Korean language domestic violence victim’s assistance program is established in collaboration with Asian Women’s Shelter to address alarming rates of DV in the community.
2000 Virtual Village Program
KCCEB develops the Virtual Village Program to build community capacity with local faith institutions.
2010 Environmental Scan
KCCEB conducts in-depth interviews with the community, laying the groundwork for KCCEB’s strategic framework for the next 10 years.
2011-2013 BIA Accreditation
KCCEB obtains BIA accreditation to provide credible immigration legal representation for low-income and indigent immigrants.
2013 Covered California
KCCEB is the leading API voice for Covered California in the Bay Area, outreaching to more than 30,000 individuals and enrolling more than 1,000 individuals in 37 cities since July 2013.
2014-2016 KONA Report
KCCEB conducts and publishes the only disaggregated Korean health and social assessment study in the Bay Area with UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. KONA is used for data-based advocacy.
2017-2018 New Program Launch
KCCEB develops the R.I.P.E. model: Research, Innovation, Participation and Empowerment. Our Senior Jikimee Leaders speak at state and local advocacy meetings.
2017-2018 New Program Launch
Asian Community Wellness Program provides mental health and wellness support to Korean and other East Asian communities. We launch BAKI, the only Korean language information, referral and navigation call center in the Bay Area.
2019-2020 Innovation & Collaborations
KCCEB partners with other immigrant/refugee serving organizations for greater impact on census engagement, youth leadership, mental health apps, immigration and naturalization and COVID-19 response.
Team
June Lee
Chief Executive Officer
of service, research, and community engagement. June holds an M.S. in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining KCCEB, June was the Managing Director and Strategic planner of the Asia Pacific Region for major advertising agencies.
As an immigrant and mother of a teenage daughter, June is passionate about women’s empowerment issues. “I make the world a more wholesome place by helping disempowered people to realize their power and become active participants in our society.”
As an immigrant and mother of a teenage daughter, June is passionate about women’s empowerment issues. “I make the world a more wholesome place by helping disempowered people to realize their power and become active participants in our society.”
Yeri Shon, MPH, MSW
Associate Director
strategizing and successfully implementing an unprecedented ACA education and outreach campaign to reach 15,000 API community members.
Yeri completed her MPH/MSW from the University of Michigan and has a BS in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. Coming from a struggling immigrant family and with over nine years working at non-profit organizations, Yeri developed insights into how systemic barriers cause social inequities leading to negative health outcomes. During her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring diverse eateries around the Bay Area, and being a die-hard Warriors fan when the basketball season starts.
Yeri completed her MPH/MSW from the University of Michigan and has a BS in Chemistry from UC Berkeley. Coming from a struggling immigrant family and with over nine years working at non-profit organizations, Yeri developed insights into how systemic barriers cause social inequities leading to negative health outcomes. During her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring diverse eateries around the Bay Area, and being a die-hard Warriors fan when the basketball season starts.
Amy G. Lam, MA, PhD
Chief Program Strategist
Counseling Psychology (UCSB), a Ph.D. in Cultural/Social Psychology (UCD), and a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology and Medicine (UCSF). Growing up in an immigrant family in NY, Amy has always had a passion for giving voice to the immigrant experience. Amy brings over 15 years of grassroots experience in developing innovative and culturally-resonant programs through grant writing and using art as a tool for community building, empowerment, and healing.
Amy is also an energy healer and a published poet, playwright, and composer. Amy’s mantra is: “Let’s dream the world we want to see into being.”
Amy is also an energy healer and a published poet, playwright, and composer. Amy’s mantra is: “Let’s dream the world we want to see into being.”
Pysay Phinith, LCSW
Program Director & Wellness Specialist
trainees and provides mental health counseling to children, youths and adults.
Pysay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an MSW from UC Berkeley. She has over 12 years of depth and experience in community-based prevention, early intervention, clinical case management, and mental health treatment services for Asian and Pacific Islanders and the greater communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Pysay loves running for self-care, “Running is my high! Running is my freedom!”
Pysay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an MSW from UC Berkeley. She has over 12 years of depth and experience in community-based prevention, early intervention, clinical case management, and mental health treatment services for Asian and Pacific Islanders and the greater communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Pysay loves running for self-care, “Running is my high! Running is my freedom!”
Christina Yu, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor and Lead Clinician
MSW at UC Berkeley. With over 15 years of community work in Oakland Chinatown, 12 years as a case manager in Alameda County, and 7 years in the medical field working with patients facing general to chronic health conditions, she utilizes trauma-informed lenses to serve others and is passionate about holistic treatment that supports overall well-being and empowerment of individuals and community.
Christina was born and raised in Oakland by a family who immigrated from Toisan, China. In her spare time, she enjoys visual arts, cooking challenges with her friends, exploring the food scene in the Bay Area, hikes amongst the redwoods, bathing in the sound of the ocean, and tending to her plants.
Christina was born and raised in Oakland by a family who immigrated from Toisan, China. In her spare time, she enjoys visual arts, cooking challenges with her friends, exploring the food scene in the Bay Area, hikes amongst the redwoods, bathing in the sound of the ocean, and tending to her plants.
Christine Yang
Wellness Counselor & Case Manager
she learned to think critically and open her mind. Yang is passionate about social justice, youth mental health, and community building. They have dedicated their time to working with low-income, immigrant youth and families of color since 2016. Working with young people has led them to pursuing and obtaining their MSW degree from UC Berkeley. Yang honors the value of authenticity, compassion, and creativity in their work and hopes to hold space for self-finding and healing through those values.
Outside of work, you can probably find Christine in front of a sewing machine, doodling, or doing other crafts by hand. On a more rare occasion, you can find her hiking in nature or baking something sweet. Christine goes by both Christine and Yang as a way of gender expression and fluidity.
Outside of work, you can probably find Christine in front of a sewing machine, doodling, or doing other crafts by hand. On a more rare occasion, you can find her hiking in nature or baking something sweet. Christine goes by both Christine and Yang as a way of gender expression and fluidity.
Dana Kim, MSW
Wellness Counselor
bilingual Wellness Counselor. Her professional experiences are varied but connected by a single thread of desire to serve others in a meaningful way. She has worked as part of the health and wellness team at a residential high school in Colorado, a Forest School Teacher for toddlers in Manhattan’s Central Park, and as an exercise coordinator for adults and adolescents with autism.
In 2024, Dana graduated from Smith College where she earned her Master’s degree in clinical social work. Her passion lies in collectivistic and holistic approaches to address how trauma and healing manifest in the mind, body, and spirit. During her free time she can be found eating spicy food, strolling amongst the redwoods, or singing karaoke.
In 2024, Dana graduated from Smith College where she earned her Master’s degree in clinical social work. Her passion lies in collectivistic and holistic approaches to address how trauma and healing manifest in the mind, body, and spirit. During her free time she can be found eating spicy food, strolling amongst the redwoods, or singing karaoke.
Jooyeon Jun
Wellness Counselor & Case Manager
where bilingual services and culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care can be provided. With over four years of experience working in various healthcare, child welfare, and counseling settings, Jooyeon is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate acculturative stress, complex relationship dynamics, emotional distress, and various traumas. Her work focuses around holistic therapeutic practices, advocacy, and psychoeducation, and she strives to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual client.
When Jooyeon is not at work, she enjoys being in nature, finding the next best restaurant, baking treats to share, attending a musical performance, watercoloring, and traveling.
When Jooyeon is not at work, she enjoys being in nature, finding the next best restaurant, baking treats to share, attending a musical performance, watercoloring, and traveling.
Dana Kurlander, MS
Advocacy and Impact Manager
in which Asian immigrants and refugees can thrive.
Dana has a M.S. in Medical Anthropology from University College London and a B.A. in Global Health and Sociocultural Anthropology from University of California San Diego. Throughout the years, Dana has worked supporting diverse immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities in public health advocacy, direct service, and community-based participatory research in both non-profit organization and academic research settings. In her work, she focuses on centering diverse community wisdom, prioritizing collective care, and advocating for systems change. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, being in nature, exploring new coffee spots, and learning about different healing traditions.
Dana has a M.S. in Medical Anthropology from University College London and a B.A. in Global Health and Sociocultural Anthropology from University of California San Diego. Throughout the years, Dana has worked supporting diverse immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities in public health advocacy, direct service, and community-based participatory research in both non-profit organization and academic research settings. In her work, she focuses on centering diverse community wisdom, prioritizing collective care, and advocating for systems change. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, being in nature, exploring new coffee spots, and learning about different healing traditions.
Hye-Yun Graves
Health Access Program Supervisor
By working with children and their parents, she started to ask: What else can I do for my community? And that is how a new chapter of her life began.
Hye-Yun developed a strong sense of devotion to make a community in a healthier and better way while working in another community center. Her experience gave her a deep appreciation for an organization like KCCEB for how to bring positive changes into the community with passion and effort. In her spare time, she loves taking a walk and watching movies.
Hye-Yun developed a strong sense of devotion to make a community in a healthier and better way while working in another community center. Her experience gave her a deep appreciation for an organization like KCCEB for how to bring positive changes into the community with passion and effort. In her spare time, she loves taking a walk and watching movies.
Paula Junn, MFA
Case Management & Navigation Specialist
need. Paula comes from the nonprofit and education management field, focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). She is a passionate community builder interested in fostering belonging in and among people.
In her free time, Paula makes jewelry, tells (and listens to) stories, crochets, and sings in the Queer Choir. Her dream is to build and be a part of a community so strong and healthy that when someone falls (as is inevitable in life), they are not left fallen and alone for too long.
In her free time, Paula makes jewelry, tells (and listens to) stories, crochets, and sings in the Queer Choir. Her dream is to build and be a part of a community so strong and healthy that when someone falls (as is inevitable in life), they are not left fallen and alone for too long.
Juhee Hong
Data Coordinator
and managed a family restaurant in Oakland for the past five years. Since the pandemic, Juhee has been volunteering at KCCEB to deliver meals to Korean seniors in the East Bay area. Through this experience, Juhee found a profound joy and purpose in serving underrepresented communities. In her spare time, Juhee enjoys cooking and spending time with her family dog, Mocha.
Manith Thaing
Community Outreach Manager
over 20 years in the non-profit sector and is very passionate about working with the community. She will continue to dedicate her time to the community as long as time permits.
Sandra Choi
Community Center Manager
Fatai Tokolahi
Partnership Program Manager
was a UNICEF Life Skills Master Trainer for several years, where he taught youth leaders to teach essential skills to their peers. Before moving to the US, Fatai was a project manager for a United Nations Population Fund and UNAIDS’s initiative that focused on HIV/AIDS prevention among Transitional Aged Youth.
Fatai is a graduate of Tonga College and holds a Certificate in Youth Development from
the University of the South Pacific. He has loved rugby since childhood, and has
learned to also love Bay Area baseball, basketball and football. He lives in San Rafael
with his wife and kids.
Fatai is a graduate of Tonga College and holds a Certificate in Youth Development from
the University of the South Pacific. He has loved rugby since childhood, and has
learned to also love Bay Area baseball, basketball and football. He lives in San Rafael
with his wife and kids.
Victor Lau
Health Promotion and Safety Instructor
and International Studies, they pursued a graduate degree in Gemology from the Gemological Institute of America. After that, Victor traveled across Asia to study martial arts. They attained teaching credentials for both Wing Chun and Tai Chi in Hong Kong and Beijing, respectively. Their dedication and talent led to recognition in various tournaments and competitions, resulting in national awards and accolades.
Art Choi
Program Manager
of the senior wellness program, maintaining strong relationships with various organizations, coordinating with Korean lawyers for pro-bono legal clinics, assisting with census outreach, organizing and overseeing the senior food delivery program, and supporting staff with other programs, he plays a critical role in sustaining partnerships and leading various projects.
Minha Yoon, MFA
Manager of Philanthropy and Communications
deeply values the work of community-based organizations like KCCEB leading the way in helping under-resourced communities lead full and empowered lives. Outside of work, Minha enjoys caring for her three recue rabbits.
Catt Olazabal
Chief Financial Officer
the Bay Area, supporting multiple organizations in social services, housing, philanthropy, arts, and education. She also sits on the Board of Directors for Dancin’ Power, a nonprofit that provides interactive dance lessons to hospitalized children including those facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Dancing’ Power uses the power of music and adaptive movement to bring joy to hospitalized children and their families.
Seokjune Hong
IT Volunteer
has a degree in Computer Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
As a first-generation immigrant, he is keenly aware of the need to provide helpful information to all newcomers. He hopes that by volunteering, KCCEB staff have one less hurdle to deal with in their jobs.
As a first-generation immigrant, he is keenly aware of the need to provide helpful information to all newcomers. He hopes that by volunteering, KCCEB staff have one less hurdle to deal with in their jobs.
MHAP Program Interns
KCCEB’s Mental Health Asian Pipeline (MHAP) Program provides comprehensive community mental health service training with attention to culturally informed practices, advocacy, and innovation.
MHAP’s goal is to increase the number of mental health social workers in the U.S. with specialized experience in working with Asian immigrants.
We currently have five MSW Graduate Trainees in the Adult Mental Health and Community Mental Health concentrations.
- Emma Fengnuan Zhao (English, Cantonese , Mandarin, Toishanese)
- Hye Yun Graves (Korean, English)
- Jessica Kuang (English, Cantonese , Mandarin, Spanish)
- Maelin Rose (English, Cantonese)
- Stephanie Chang (English)
Board of Directors
The volunteer board of directors at KCCEB is responsible for long-term strategic and programmatic planning, financial oversight and investments, fundraising, and general governance.
Dr. Bhupendra Sheoran
Dr. Bhupendra Sheoran is a physician and public health thought leader with over 24 years of global health experience working at the intersection of equity, technology, and innovation with experience in both social and for-profit sectors. He began his career caring for HIV/AIDS patients in India, and since then has worked throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the U.S. on social impact, youth development, LGBTQ+ healthcare access, and digital health technology/innovation.
Carolline Kim
Carolline Kim is a Program Manager with the Levi Strauss Foundation responsible for oversight of the grants that advance Immigrant Rights, Democracy, and Philanthropic Leadership. She brings a wealth of knowledge in engaging excluded or under-represented communities and developing relationships with key stakeholders in the immigrant rights and democracy space. Carolline is a founding member of the Black & Asian Pacific Islander Solidarity, a group of activists, organizers, and community members that seek to create a safe space for Black/API unity.
Jen Lee, MPH
Jen Lee is the Deputy Director at the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Care Organizations (AAPCHO). With 23 years of service within and on behalf of community health centers, Jen brings her passion for providing equitable, quality, affordable, culturally responsive, and accountable health care for all communities. Prior to joining AAPCHO, she served for 14 years at Asian Health Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Oakland, California, first as a community health worker to then providing oversight of the health center’s prevention education programs, school-based health expansion, community outreach, translation and medical interpreter certification, and advocacy initiatives including the Health Center’s Patient Leadership Council program.
Joe Lee, MSHA
Joe Lee is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Community Health Synergy, LLC, a queer and Asian-owned business dedicated to advancing health equity through community-centered capacity building. In the span of his 14-year career, Joe has supported Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, community-based organizations, County agencies, Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans, and national training organizations across the continental U.S., Hawai’i, U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, and Freely Associated States. Joe also serves as a Lecturer of an undergraduate community health equity course at UC Berkeley and advisor for several student-led service and research organizations.
