MinKwon Center for Community Action
Encyclopedia
The MinKwon Center for Community Action is a nonprofit organization
that serves the needs of the Korean American community in New York City
. First established as YKASEC in 1984, the MinKwon Center is based in Flushing, Queens
, which has a large Korean population. MinKwon focuses in particular on reaching marginalized community members, such as the elderly, recent immigrants, low-income residents, and residents with limited English proficiency.
The MinKwon Center educates and provides services to its members through its primary program areas, which are community organizing and advocacy, social services, civic participation, youth empowerment and cultural education. These services are provided with the goal of increasing civic participation through community organizing to advocate to improve immigrants' rights and quality of life. Because some members of the community it serves are undocumented, the MinKwon Center mobilizes the Korean American community to organize on the issue of immigration reform at the national level as well through efforts such as busing people to the Rally for Immigration Reform and canvassing for the 2010 census.
The name MinKwon comes from the Korean word for civil rights
, 민권.
, the Capital One Foundation, the New York Foundation
, the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Robin Hood Foundation, and Verizon Foundation.
The MinKwon Center is a recipient of a 2010 Union Square Award, an initiative of the Tides Center
, which recognizes grassroots organizations serving neighborhoods in New York City.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that serves the needs of the Korean American community in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. First established as YKASEC in 1984, the MinKwon Center is based in Flushing, Queens
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
, which has a large Korean population. MinKwon focuses in particular on reaching marginalized community members, such as the elderly, recent immigrants, low-income residents, and residents with limited English proficiency.
The MinKwon Center educates and provides services to its members through its primary program areas, which are community organizing and advocacy, social services, civic participation, youth empowerment and cultural education. These services are provided with the goal of increasing civic participation through community organizing to advocate to improve immigrants' rights and quality of life. Because some members of the community it serves are undocumented, the MinKwon Center mobilizes the Korean American community to organize on the issue of immigration reform at the national level as well through efforts such as busing people to the Rally for Immigration Reform and canvassing for the 2010 census.
The name MinKwon comes from the Korean word for civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, 민권.
Community Advocacy
In 2009, the MinKwon Center helped to form the 12% and Growing Coalition, which includes more than 40 Asian Pacific American community organizations. The Asian Pacific American community living in New York City comprises 12% of the population, yet receives less than 1% of government funding. The first-ever coalition comprising organizations that serve diverse ethnic groups among Asian Pacific Americans, the 12% and Growing Coalition advocates that the New York State and City governments pass fair budgets that protect vulnerable Asian Pacific Americans in New York.Supporters and Recognition
The MinKwon Center receives funding and support from individual donors, government, foundations and corporate sponsors including the Asian American Federation of New YorkAsian American Federation of New York
The Asian American Federation is a nonprofit organization working to advance the civic voice of Asian Americans in the New York metropolitan area. Established in 1990, the Asian American Federation of NY supports and collaborates with 39 member agencies to improve quality of life and support...
, the Capital One Foundation, the New York Foundation
New York Foundation
The New York Foundation is a charitable foundation which gives grants to nonprofit organizations supporting community organizing and advocacy in New York City.- 1909-1919 :...
, the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Robin Hood Foundation, and Verizon Foundation.
The MinKwon Center is a recipient of a 2010 Union Square Award, an initiative of the Tides Center
Tides Center
Tides Center is a non-profit organization in the United States which provides fiscal sponsorship for progressive groups. Tides Center is classified a 501 tax-exempt organization by the IRS...
, which recognizes grassroots organizations serving neighborhoods in New York City.