ENDORSEMENTS

“Faith based organizations have been strong foundation within the Korean American community — helping the community during the most difficult periods and offering assistance during the most challenging times. This paper will offer historical insight on how Korean American faith based organizations have addressed the need for community development — the successes of the past and the current needs. “

-Rudy Pamintuan, Chairman, US Asia Center Former-Chairman, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders

“This timely and credible study shows exactly why there is such a pressing need to engage Korean American congregations as partners in the faith and service field. The fact is, their congregations are already on the ground in growing and powerful numbers, believing, and praying, and working for better communities. It is we who have thus far missed their invaluable contributions. It is past time the enormous and growing contribution of these groups is recognized. This paper is a road map for Korean American inclusion in mainstream non-profit and faith based efforts. And if you want to engage this group, don’t miss the wonderful treasure trove in the appendices! I commend Im and Boddie for highlighting such an important topic.”
-Mark Farr, Senior Director, Faith Engagement, the Points of Light Institute, and President of the Institute for Progressive Christianity

“Building diverse, sustainable communities demands participation from every sector of society. As this White House report shows, Korean American congregations have a vital role to play in the kind of community building that can create stronger local economies, a more unified nation and a healthier planet."
-Doris W. Koo, President and CEO, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.

“Leaders in local law enforcement understand that we cannot effectively police our society without the support and collaboration of public and private community organizations, most particularly those of faith-based entities. This report describes in detail the outstanding partnership between Korean American Churches and their communities that has developed over the years, and it is a reflection of the Church’s altruistic dedication and perseverance to achieve a safer and better existence for all.”
-First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles Police Department

“Korean American Churches have always been a strong force in building relationships with the community. KCCD has created many community outreach events and admirable programs such as their Foreclosure Prevention and Home Ownership programs. It is the outstanding leadership of CEO/President, Hyepin Im and her board that enables KCCD to be a resilient voice in the faith-based and API community. This report is a great example of KCCD’s exemplary work and efforts in bringing light towards faith-based organizations and the need to have more resources for capacity building. I support KCCD’s report to help continue its dedication to their cause.”
-CA State Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu, 53rd Assembly District Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus

"As an at-risk youth who was greatly enriched by faith-based organizations, I am strongly in favor of the efforts of KCCD. Organizations like KCCD that have a history of service to youth, seniors, and families are often best positioned to advocate for and actually meet basic needs of our communities. As a state legislator, I welcome KCCD at a time when elected officials, non-profits, and the business community are showing real leadership when the needs are rapidly outpacing our resources."
-Mike Eng, California State Assemblyman.

"This report is just another shining example of why KCCD's reputation as a leader in the pantheon of faith-based community empowerment organizations is spreading beyond the local community and the State of California to the national level. KCCD's growing portfolio of excellent community development manuscripts, projects, and programs continue to foster a higher standard of living in the communities it serves. From first-time homebuyer and foreclosure prevention fairs, to marriage enrichment programs, KCCD has something for everyone.         I am proud of our longstanding partnership in service to these communities."
-Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, 26th Senate District Chair, California Legislative Black Caucus

“Observers of American civic life since DeToqueville have recognized the central role churches play to make democracy work. The KCCD report demonstrates something I have already discovered. The Korean immigrant church and its people have formed a new matrix of economic development, community stability and compassion for the poor to reinvigorate America.”
-David McAllister-Wilson President, Wesley Theological Seminary

“Korean Americans have one of the highest rates of church-going among all immigrant groups to the United States. I know this paper expands our knowledge of Korean American churches and their importance in the fabric of American society.”
-Paull Shin, Washington State Senator

“This well documented paper reflects the significant but little known story around the exceptional resources and contributions of Korean – American faith-based institutions within the United States. It chronicles the financial resources and human capital Korean-American churches have provided over the years and continue to provide in multi-ethnic neighborhoods. I know personally of the positive spirit that comes out of the Korean-American faith based community, as we worked closely together in the days, months and years following the Rodney King Riots of 1992 in Los Angeles to create new bridges of hope for a once divided city. Well, Los Angeles is divided no more in this way, between African-Americans and Korean-Americans, and the Korean-American faith based community’s leadership is partial reason for it. I was even honored to receive an award from the Korean community in the time following the riots. This is a model for the nation. Bringing this important story to light will help policymakers and other key stakeholders recognize Korean Churches as viable partners in community development – giving people a hand up and not just a hand out, it is what Operation HOPE calls “silver rights”.
John Hope Bryant , Operation HOPE, Founder, Chairman & CEO Vice Chair, President’s Advisory Council for Financial Literacy, & Chair, Subcommittee for the Underserved

“The growing influence of the Korean-American community can be traced in part to the rise of Korean-American churches in this country. This report is appropriately entitled, "The Untold Story," and is a cogent account of the positive impact that Korean-American churches, clergy and parishioners has had in strengthening all communities of all faiths and denominations. The Korean faith-based community has clearly demonstrated that they can address the myriad of challenges that have impacted the Korean-American community over the years. Their proactive, solutions oriented initiatives serve as shining examples of how faith and activism can overcome obstacles to progress surrounding community development.”
-Bill Imada, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer IW Group, Inc.

"KCCD is a leading exemplar and innovator in the field of national and community service. Hyepin Im, Jin Kim and their wide foundation of volunteer partners are contributing greatly to the growing body of evidence of faith-based volunteering and its promising impacts across our society."
-David Caprara Director, Brookings Initiative on International Volunteering and Service Former National Director of VISTA

“This is an illuminating snapshot of an immigrant faith community in transition, showing how its extensive community-building assets are used both internally and to help the broader society. It shows well how a savvy intermediary can play a vital role in building up those assets and in connecting the faith community to the wider society, including government.”
-Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies Director of Faith-Based Policy Studies, Center for Public Justice

“This important study highlights the central role that Korean American churches fill within the community. Korean American churches are poised to be an important component of a developing social services and community development infrastructure due to their extensive reach at the most local level – to individuals. This was recently demonstrated through KCCD’s use of its Korean church network to outreach and deliver much needed foreclosure counseling to Korean American individuals.“
-John Moon, Sr. Community Affairs Analyst Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

“Just as the Korean-American Community is an indispensable part of the fabric of our society, KCDD has immerged as an indispensable element of the movement in Los Angeles to create pathways out of poverty for all households in Los Angeles. The untold story demonstrates the reliability, depth, and breadth of the Korean Faith-Based network in mobilizing resources for the common good of all Angelinos.”
-Elise Buik President & CEO United Way of Greater Los Angeles

“The fires of 1992 heated the diatribe of African Americans and Korean Americans as islands set apart. The report being presented at the White House shows that the diatribe is now dialectic--we are islands in language and culture, but there is no limit to how many bridges we can build between us.”
|-Rev. Cecil L. Murray Pastor Retired at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Los Angeles Tanzy Chair of Christian Ethics, the Center for Religion, the University of Southern California

“I have been honored to see first hand, the positive impact of Korean American Churches on our community in Southern California. Their partnership in care for our homeless friends, their efforts to strengthen families and mitigate the foreclosure crisis have been powerful and much appreciated. I look forward to future collaborations as we bolster God’s Kingdom on earth.”
-Rev. Andy Bales, CEO Union Rescue Mission

"Korean churches have been very active in the Los Angeles community and their broadly reaching community development work is demonstrated in this report. They have filled community service shortfalls and are committed to improving the quality of life for the Korean American community in Los Angeles. "
-Dr. Kay Song Senior Advisor to Los Angles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa

"KCCD has evolved into a national leader advocating for a stronger role for Asian-American churches in community economic development. Through its leadership, KCCD is addressing key issues facing the Korean-American community, including homeownership and foreclosure concerns. Citi is a proud supporter."
-Cheryl Evans, Citi Community Relations - Western Region Director

"Korean Americans have always played a vital role in community building wherever they have settled. Much like the plight of the Latino people, the Korean contribution to the local economy and faith-based community services have largely gone unnoticed as a significant piece of the American social fabric.I applaud you Hyepin! It’s about time someone told the wonderful story of the industriousness, generosity, faith and family values that are so important to the American Korean legacy."
-Richard R. Ramos, President & CEO Latino Coalition for Faith & Community Initiatives

“The KCCD’s in-depth report is a must read for anyone who is interested in forging functional and productive relationships with the Korean American Churches and with faith based organizations at large.”
-Dr. Manuel Tigerino, Founder/President Latin University of Theology, Chairman Community Mentorship Connection

"As a Bishop in the United Methodist Church, assigned to the Chicago Episcopal Area, I see first hand the abundant generosity of our Korean congregations as they seek to engage their neighbors and contribute to the development of community. This report offers insight and encouragement for the work that lies ahead. I am excited about the future as the untapped resource of Korean Americans becomes a dynamic partner in community development."
-Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Chicago Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church

"The Untold Story" highlights the growing maturity of Asian, especially Korean American churches that are increasingly mobilizing their substantial resources on behalf of their surrounding communities. Korean churches are now involved in a remarkably wide array of programs that reach out into the multi-ethnic communities in which they are situated. Their approaches have become far more sophisticated, aided in part by the techical assistance and linkages that KCCD so ably provides.”
-Helene Slessarev-Jamir Mildred M. Hutchinson Professor of Urban Ministries at the Claremont School of Theology

"KCCD has emerged as one of the premier faith based social service and outreach programs in our Los Angeles area. Through the dedicated work of their President, Hyepin Im and gifted staff they have provided key grassroots events to help our local community. I believe they will be a major player in the future of social services for greater Los Angeles. KCCD has proven itself most effective in working with Korean American churches and congregations, as they understand both the cultural and religious groundings of our religious institutions."
-Grant Hagiya, Resident Bishop of the Seattle Area, and Former District Superintendent of the Los Angeles District

“The Faith Community has served as the change agent; from slavery, great depression, civil rights movement, Los Angeles Civil Disturbance of "92" and including the salvation of New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina) relief efforts. KCCD continues that entrenched tradition by organizing community, Government and Faith based organizations. Media outlet in this age of technology enables KCCD to "tell the story" of how to bring the Gospel to life.”
-Rev. Leonard B. Jackson Senior Advisor to the Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa

"Korean Churches for Community Development is a pillar of the Los Angeles community, demonstrating true leadership on the front lines for the needs of working families. Bank of America has supported KCCD in community development efforts, as well as critical foreclosure counseling and prevention work to help keep people in their homes and in their communities. Theirs is an effective model to be shared and used by others in the community development  world across the nation."
-Michael Manigault, Community Impact Manager Bank of America

"This study documents the immense value of faith-based initiatives. But also we see the amazing model of KCCD giving unique leadership in community development and transformation. They have relentlessly 'filled-in-the-blanks' between the secular and the sacred, between church and church, between the church and the community, and between one ethnic group and another. This hard work means positive results. And, in a deeper sense, hope multiplies hope, especially in other communities where hopelessness reigns."
-Tom Steers Founder and Co-director of Asian American Ministries, The Navigators

“Korean American Churches serve as a centerpiece of the Korean American Community. Through their location and the number of churches great potential exist for these organizations to make tremendous impact in improving the lives of Korean American citizens. Their ability to help bridge generational and language divides truly places these faith-based organizations at the cutting edge of making strong lasting impacts in their communities.”
-Jeremy White, President RestoreHope Consulting Former Director for Outreach White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

"Wells Fargo applauds KCCD for the outstanding community development work they provide not only to the Asian Community, but the community at large. The White House Paper "Korean American Churches as Partners in Community Development: The Untold Story" is very insightful research on key issues affecting the Asian community and KCCD will continue to play a critical role in properly educating the Asian community".
-Byron K. Reed, Senior Vice President Community Development Manager Los Angeles Metropolitan Region Wells Fargo Bank

"The work of KCCD has been stellar in uniting faith-based organizations with a network of partners forging a union capable of empowering communities to a level of activism to confront the numerous challenges of their constituency. We commend them for their extraordinary dedication".
-Bishop Edward R. Turner, Power of Love Christian Fellowship Founder & Senior Pastor