Press Release
Media Inquiries: Dayne Lee 323-937-3718 dayne@krcla.org
Los Angeles – In order to mobilize Korean American voters and make an early impact in 2012, the Korean Resource Center has contacted over 20,051 voters in Southern California ahead of the June 5, California primary elections. Over 35 volunteers, ranging in age from high school and UCLA college students to retired seniors, have been volunteering every day. As of Tuesday, June 5, they have registered 1,458 voters, called 3,196 voters, and provided assistance to 240 voters through KRC’s voter hotline.
KRC is executing its 2012 first half strategy of using the June elections as an opportunity to make an early impact in the elections so that the needs of KRC’s Korean American members are fully represented in the policy landscape going into the all-important November 2012 elections. These needs come from the grassroots input of community members, such as the need for elected officials to restore plans to build additional affordable and senior housing in their budgets. “Budgets should reflect the community’s needs. In Koreatown for example, the demand for affordable and senior housing far exceeds the supply of housing, so the waiting time can be over 10 years for some applicants. The elections are an opportunity for our community to address these needs,” said Jae Won Ko, senior volunteer at the Korean Resource Center.
These needs tie into KRC’s multi-year efforts to protect the American Dream in California for all residents by taxing the wealthiest earners and restoring funding to education and social services. “The 2012 elections are an opportunity to put our state back on the right track by focusing on opportunity, fairness, education, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. KRC is grateful and excited for the hard work and dedication of our high school, college, parent, and senior volunteers in talking with voters everyday for the sake of our community’s voice,” said Yongho Kim, Civic Participation Coordinator at the Korean Resource Center.
For more information, contact Dayne Lee, Civic Participation Coordinator, at dayne@krcla.org or (323) 937-3718 . To access KRC’s June 2012 Voter Guide, please visit www.krcla.org/ko/vote. After the June 5 elections, KRC will be working to promote progressive budgets, access to education, immigrant rights, and fair taxation throughout the summer and fall in anticipation of the November 6, 2012 elections. To volunteer and get involved, please contact Dayne Lee.
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