No. 40 | March 2024

THE JAISOHN CENTER (Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Asian Americans within the Greater Philadelphia Region.

Dr. Philip Jaisohn was a pioneer in Asian American activism as an advocate for Korean independence and a volunteer physician for the U.S. Military. In honor of his legacy, the Jaisohn Center strives to champion Asian American causes and strengthen communities through a wide range of health and human services.

We’re excited to keep you updated on our Center’s mission to elevate Asian American communities and foster unity between different ethnicities. Check out this newsletter to see what work we’ve accomplished with the help of your continued support.

Thank you for joining our cause!

JAISOHN DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Jaisohn Medical Center

“This winter, Jaisohn Medical Center has been dedicated to serving our local community. From preventive care options to medical checkups, our priority remains the well-being of our patients.” – Jenny Shin, Jaisohn Medical Center Director

Jaisohn Medical Center is dedicated to providing holistic healthcare services tailored to the needs of patients from Asian American and African American backgrounds. To further our commitment to community health, we've extended our services beyond regular hours by offering mammogram screenings conducted in collaboration with Abington Jefferson Lansdale Hospital and Einstein Elkins Park Radiology. In addition to our core services, our collaboration with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health enabled us to offer flu vaccines to the uninsured population living in our community.

Jamie Paik, M.D. along with other local medical providers engaged with the Montgomery County Immunization Coalition and Montgomery County Office of Public Health during National Influenza Vaccination Week to address community concerns about vaccinations

To learn more about Jaisohn Medical Center, please call (215) 224-2000 for the Philadelphia office and (215) 997-2101 for the Lansdale office.

Jaisohn Home Health Care

“During this cold winter season, Jaisohn Home Health Care has been bringing warm hearts and care to help those in need.” – Yisun Cho, Jaisohn Home Health Care Executive Director

The past few months have been busy for Jaisohn Home Health as we continue receiving referrals from various healthcare systems, hospitals, and community providers. With our focus on delivering multidimensional and culturally sensitive care, we are dedicated to fostering connections with individuals and families in need. Executive Director Yisun Cho has also been leading efforts in educating seniors on preventive health measures through community-based classes, promoting overall well-being and healthy lifestyles.

To learn more about Jaisohn Home Health Care, please call (215) 866-0103 for more information.

Jaisohn Home Care

“We strive to bring you the best senior services possible in the comfort of your own home, overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers.” – Joseph Lee, Jaisohn Home Care Director

Jaisohn Home Care provides non-medical services to Asian American seniors who are homebound due to old age, sickness, accidents, mental disabilities, Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. Our services make it possible for them to stay in their own homes with dignity, while being cared for by trained caregivers with understanding of cultural and language barriers. To learn more about Jaisohn Home Care, please call (215) 224-2137.

Jaisohn Wellness Center

Senior Community Center

“Amidst the ongoing presence of COVID-19, our staffs’ unwavering compassion for our clients empowered us to deliver essential social services this winter, prioritizing the health and privacy of those we serve above all else.” – Janice Shin, Director of Counseling and Social Services & Acting Director of Jaisohn Wellness Center

From August to September 2023, Jaisohn Wellness Center partnered with the Montgomery County Office of Senior Services to host the “Master Plan for Older Adults Listening Session,” collecting input from the AAPI community about the strategic 10-year plan for Pennsylvania seniors. Our subcontract with the MontCo Office of Senior Services allows for the daily activities and larger events to take place at the center in order to improve the quality of life for our seniors.

As a senior community center, we've also organized a variety of events including water painting sessions to promote artistic expression and mental well-being, Lunar New Year celebrations with traditional games, and hosting Teri Wassel who taught our seniors how to prepare Healthy Italian Wedding Soup and introduced them to new culinary experiences. Our seniors enjoyed trips to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and historical sites in Washington D.C. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, including the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (D.C. trip) for their invaluable support in providing these enriching opportunities.

To learn more about the Jaisohn Wellness Center and how to participate, contact (267) 638-9500.

Staff CPR Certification

On November 30 and December 11, Jaisohn Center staff underwent CPR certification training, facilitated by the Jefferson Health Community team. This certification program serves as a crucial step in equipping our staff with the necessary skills to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Jaisohn Festive Celebrations

Jaisohn Wellness Center hosted a Christmas party for the local seniors in early December, complete with singing contests and fashion shows. Towards the end of the month, Jaisohn Center staff and board members gathered to celebrate and look back on all the achievements and growth of the Foundation in 2023. The Year-End Party, thanks to the generous sponsorship of board members Un Hwang Lee and Brian Lee, was filled with lots of food, games, and prizes. Elder Yung Kyun Song’s sponsorship also allowed for the center to present our Jaisohn Jane Song Employees of the Year Award. Finally, in the final days of 2023, Jaisohn Home Health Care management team, nurses, and therapists celebrated the holidays together with lunch.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Asian American Coalition Efforts for

Health and Human Services

Montgomery County Needs Assessment

Following its initiation, the Montgomery County Needs Assessment entered its second phase of the larger project: data collection and analysis. In this phase, each steering committee member, representing the eight ethnic communities, scheduled focus group discussions amongst their community leaders. The Korean-American community discussion group spearheaded Phase 2 discussions, subsequently followed by sessions within the Filipino American, Chinese American, Bengali American, Pakistani American, Nepali American, Indian American and Vietnamese American communities in that order. We look forward to seeing the impact that these conversations and insights will have on the local Asian American communities residing in Montgomery County.

100th Vaccination Clinic Celebration

Upon reaching the 100th vaccination clinic milestone, the Asian American Coalition, in collaboration with the Jaisohn Center and the Philippine Nurses Association, convened a formal celebration. This gathering provided an opportunity for reflection and dialogue on strategies to enhance AAPI vaccination rates in the future. Senator Maria Collett also presented certificates to each partnering organization, commemorating their contributions. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Val Arkoosh and Senator Art Haywood for their support throughout this time.

Rapid Test Kit Distribution

The Jaisohn Center received 24,000 rapid test kits from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with additional support from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, for distribution. Leveraging our extensive connections within the AAPI and other underserved communities, we successfully allocated all of the test kits to around 50 organizations, including Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bharatiya Temple, First Baptist of Huntingdon Valley, Guanghua Cultural Center, Hatfield Jame Masjid, KAAGP, KAGRO, Korean Church Council of Greater Philadelphia, Montgomery Bible Fellowship, OLCAA, PA Nepali Guthi Association, PASSi, and many more.

Virtual Citizenship Preparation Classes

From late January to early February, we partnered with the Museum of American Revolution to offer virtual citizenship preparation classes via Zoom every Monday and Wednesday evening. These sessions provided valuable information regarding the process of becoming an US citizen and featured an information session with a USCIS Community Relations Officer.

New American Majority PA Update

The inaugural New American Majority (NAM) annual conference was held, bringing together 30 young professionals under the age of 35 from diverse communities in October. NAM-PA, founded by Senator Art Haywood, Reverend Luis Cortes (Esperanza) and George Choe (Jaisohn Center), aims to advance representation of diversity in leadership. We extend our appreciation to our keynote speaker Sulaiman Rahman, host Ted Qualli from Philadelphia Foundation, and conference coordinator Jude Husein. Furthermore, NAM PA College Internships programs provide students of Asian American, Latine, and African American heritages with opportunities to enhance leadership skills, engage in racial justice advocacy, explore cross-cultural dynamics, and pursue career internships. For more information about NAM PA internships, visit https://jaisohn.org/racial-equity-and-justice-education-and-experience-internship/.

Jaisohn Student Internships and Scholarships

Jaisohn Center is proud to announce the launch of our 2024 Jaisohn Internships and Scholarships, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors. This year, we are awarding $52,000 in internship and scholarship opportunities to students ranging from freshman to graduate levels of college. To explore this year's opportunities, visit https://jaisohn.org/scholarships/.

Jaisohn Memorial House & Monument Visits

During the winter season, the Philip Jaisohn Memorial House and Monument in Media, PA has seen an increase in visitors. Local visitors included Wissahickon High School students who opened a dialogue regarding Asian and Korean-American history and leadership attributes that they can take ownership of. The Jaisohn team also hosted a 50 member tour group from Korea to travel around the greater Washington D.C. area, organized by Director Imsan Kang of Old Korean Legation and coordinated by the Korean Community Center Office Manager Yusook Kim. Professor Hae Kyoung Lee, director of the “1919 Philadelphia” First Korean Congress musical in Korean and Fullbright Scholar, and President Choo Sung-hee, along with executive committee members of the National Association for Korean Schools (NAKS), also visited during this time period.

EVENTS

2023 Jaisohn Gala

We would like to extend our gratitude for the community’s support at our 2023 Jaisohn Gala. The event drew over 350 diverse participants to witness the awarding of individuals that have dedicated their life to leadership, community, volunteer, and advocacy. Our Philip Jaisohn Lifetime Service Awards were presented to Byung Chang Choi, Ph.D. and Jay Joong S. Shin, Esq. for their commitment to our organization and its services through their careers. Syed Afzal and Joanne O. Kline were awarded the Philip Jaisohn Community Leadership Awards for their impact in their local community, while Jae Hwan Hwang, Hee C. Yun, and Ok J. Yun were honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. A portion of the fund raised from the Gala supports the Jaisohn Wellness Center senior programs. The Gala serves as an important way to recognize and honor individuals who embody the spirit of service and leadership championed by Dr. Philip Jaisohn.

We would like to thank our sponsors below for their generosity and support.

Korean American Day

The 2024 Korean American Day celebrated the 121st Anniversary of the first Korean immigrants' arrival in 1903 and the Korean American community contributions. It was hosted by the Korean American Association of Philadelphia, Consulate Office of the Republic of Korea in Philadelphia, and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation. The KAD Planning Committee, chaired by Judy Yoo and vice-chaired by Jung Lee, played a pivotal role in organizing the events. The celebration included City of Philadelphia resolution, Jaisohn Youth Drum Team performance, and appreciation awards for Former Councilman David Oh, Lois Kang, and Thomas Kang for their decade-long contributions to Korean American Day planning. These individuals along with the resolution by Councilmen James Harrity and Mark Squilla, presence of Sheila Hess, and many more are the reason we can continue to celebrate and remind our youth of the significant contributions of Korean Americans to the United States.

With Love: Community Resource Fair

The Jaisohn Center is proud to partner with Representative Darisha Parker (D198) for the With Love: Community Resource Fair on February 2, offering a range of services including haircuts, massages, mental health screenings, and food to the local community. We thank Grace Wholesale for their generous donation of winter fleece jackets to support this community. Jaisohn Center is excited to continue exploring ways to help the local community around us.

Conversation with Nydia Han

The Kim Center for Korean Studies of UPenn, under the leadership of Director Dr. Hyunjoon Park, and the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation proudly presented a Joint Speaker Series featuring 6abc TV anchorwoman, Nydia Han, addressing the pressing issue of Asian Hate on February 28. During the event, Nydia Han shared insights from her upbringing and career journey, offering valuable advice for college students before speaking about her personal experiences with Asian Hate and discussing her “This is America” documentary.

NEWS

Sarah Ralston Grant Receipt

Jaisohn Center is excited to announce that we received the 2023 Sarah Ralston Foundation Innovative Project Support Grant. The grant will enable us to continue to be a premier health and human service hub, employing evidence-based holistic practices delivered with cultural and linguistic sensitivity to bridge gaps in healthcare access and address inequities for the local Philadelphia seniors.

Celebrating Christine Cho

During our Jaisohn End-of-Year party, we celebrated the retirement of Christine Cho, Accounting Office Manager and insurance representative. We thank her for the numerous years that she has dedicated to the organization and wish her all the best.