The Asian Women's Christian Association began life as the New Jersey Korean YWCA in 1986, and was established as AWCA, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, in July 2000. AWCA provides professional counseling, social welfare services, and cultural and educational programs for Asian-American immigrant women, families, and the elderly. AWCA programs focus on senior citizens, offering senior day care programs including English classes, physical fitness, day trips, picnics and other cultural workshops. AWCA also provides medical care, physical therapy, and home care by licensed health aides. Family-counseling and other programs help immigrant families face daily obstacles including domestic, school and legal matters. This organization was founded in 2003 with support from Mr. David Khym, chairman of the Khym Foundation.
AWCA recently launched a new program that provides basic living materials, including food to help needy New Jersey Koreans. This new program benefits those who are not able to receive social security welfare or benefits and who are in urgent need of help because of the economic depression. This program will run for the limited time of one year.
According to organization reports, almost 60 families are currently receiving food benefits in the form of Korean staples, including rice, kimchee, ramen, and juice. A family is provided with 40 pounds of rice per month, as well as various Korean side dishes and snacks for children. Families can receive this assistance for three months.
"There are many Koreans who are worried about how to provide meals after they lost jobs," explained AWCA Director Ms. Mi-kyong Che. "A large number of Koreans who were recently laid off cannot even afford to feed themselves three times a day. The numbers are higher than we expected. We received well over 100 phone calls with requests for what are basic necessities."
The New Jersey United Korean Church, directed by Rev. Ku-yong Na, has provided some help by generously donating $5,800 in church offerings. The Kawha Sollongtang Korean Restaurant committed to a donation of 50 jars of kimchee a month for this program. Mr. Hwa-in Chang, president of the board at AWCA has also enlisted aid from Korean artists.
There is a growing number of Koreans who are joining to support this program. For example, Mr. Young-in Chong, the president of a Korean company recently donated $2,000 for his neighbors. Mr. Pyong-tak Kim, president of the board of the Greater N.Y. Korean Taekwando Association, is donating all of the proceeds from sales of his recently published autobiography, Ungttunghan Yokmasal Insaeng, [An Extraordinary Life of Adversity].
AWCA Executive Director Ms. Chon, Bongsuk said, "We are offering help with social services and help secure social security benefits, supplemental security income, food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, deductions for electricity fees, government unemployment benefits for over 400 people in just two months. Many people are in dire need of basic necessities and services."
AWCA has a staff of six social workers who provide assistance and information.
