Korean American Family Service Center, Inc.

Overview

The Korean American Family Service Center, Inc. (KAFSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Korean American community, primarily in the New York Tri-State area. It was founded in 1989 as an all-volunteer group to combat domestic violence within the community.

Mission

KAFSC's mission is to support and empower adults, youth, and children by providing them with the means to lead safe and healthy lives based on dignity, compassion, and mutual respect. It focuses on preventing and ending domestic violence and sexual assault, aiming to create a violence-free society. All services and programs are designed to be culturally and linguistically appropriate to meet the unique needs of the community.

Services

KAFSC offers a comprehensive array of services, including:

• Holistic Family Services: Provides children, youth, and adult services focused on promoting healthy family dynamics.
• Rainbow House Emergency Shelter: Offers immediate safety, counseling, and support to victims of violence, with a focus on meeting the cultural and linguistic needs of non-citizens.
• Transitional Housing Program: Supports victims and their families by providing culturally sensitive housing and support services, helping them achieve stability and independence.
• Sexual Assault Intervention: Offers crisis intervention, counseling, court advocacy, and education to victims of sexual assault.
• Parenting Education: Provides culturally sensitive parenting education to prevent child abuse and neglect, while enhancing family communication and relationships.
• Community Outreach and Education: Conducts workshops and outreach programs to educate the community on important issues such as parenting, relationships, and conflict resolution.

Organizational Growth

KAFSC began with humble beginnings in a church basement and has expanded significantly over the years. Its staff is entirely bilingual and bicultural, ensuring that services are tailored to meet the specific needs of the Korean American community.

Leadership and Impact

KAFSC is led by Executive Director Ms. Jeehae Fischer. The organization has been recognized for its innovative approach to serving immigrant families and has received national funding for its programs.