In May 1978, nine Korean immigrant women came together to establish an after-school program in Flushing, Queens, to care for the children of Korean immigrant families. This marked the beginning of the Queens YWCA, which has served as a focal point for immigrants and has fostered harmony within the community while providing services for the past 42 years alongside the history of Korean immigration in New York. The Queens YWCA has already produced its seventh Executive Director, Kim Eun-Kyung, who has long worked for women's rights.

The YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) is the oldest women's organization in the world, and the Queens YWCA is the only one in the United States founded and operated by Koreans.

Yes, that's correct. As you know, the YWCA was founded in 1885 in the UK and the US and is the largest and most historically significant women's organization in the world, with over 400 YWCAs in the United States and branches in more than 120 countries. Currently, there are three YWCAs in New York City: in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The Queens YWCA was established in May 1978 when nine Korean immigrant women gathered to create an after-school program in Flushing, driven by a vision for the future of the Korean immigrant community. It was originally named the Korean YWCA (The Korean YWCA). Most of the founding members had experience working with or as members of the YWCA in Korea, so they were well aware of the influence the YWCA could have.

Initially, we started as the Korean YWCA, but we decided it would be better to be part of the mainstream American society rather than remain isolated. For a time, we were affiliated with the Brooklyn YWCA as a Korean program. Later, we transitioned to being part of the New York City YWCA and eventually expanded our name and scope to become the Queens YWCA, gaining independence in September 2004. The Queens YWCA still has the unique characteristic of being governed entirely by a board of Korean women.

It seems that the organization has been intertwined with the history of Korean immigrants in New York. What does the Queens YWCA mean for Korean immigrants, especially women?

When we were founded in 1978, it was a time when the number of Korean immigrants in New York was rapidly increasing. Thanks to the historical significance and credibility of the YWCA, which was deeply rooted in American society, our organization, which was not well-known at the time, worked hard to gain recognition as an independent entity from the American YWCA Federation in Flushing. Because we worked to help immigrants integrate into mainstream society, we feel proud as Korean women and are grateful to have created a community for immigrants that has consistently served for 42 years. Settling into mainstream American society as a minority immigrant is still one of the challenges we face today. However, the history of our first-generation immigrant women, who confidently entered mainstream American society and elevated the status of Koreans, has provided a significant foundation for our current immigrant generation and continues to offer great comfort and courage.

As an organization focused on education and community service, the need for the Queens YWCA has likely expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. What role are you currently playing?

The Flushing area, where the Queens YWCA is located, has a large population of immigrants, particularly Koreans and Chinese, so we had to modify many of our programs and plans. Most of our main educational programs, such as the after-school program, Holiday Camp, adult English classes, GED prep courses, and the Evergreen School program, have transitioned to online formats, and social services are being conducted via phone and email. We used to hold a Mobile Food Pantry once a month, but since the end of March, we have been providing it weekly for the community. On Tuesdays, we distribute food to organizations or shelters, and on Wednesdays, we provide it to individuals, currently serving around 500 people each week. Additionally, we started a new project called the "Love Sharing Box" for seniors who find it difficult to come to us. This service delivers a month's worth of groceries, including rice, ramen, seaweed, kim, cereal, as well as masks, face coverings, hand sanitizers, and informational materials to their homes, primarily with the help of second-generation volunteers.

The Queens YWCA provides services to approximately 7,000 local residents annually across five main areas: education, senior services, social services, culture, and free food distribution. Due to the pandemic, the Food Pantry service and online classes are likely to remain in place for some time, even as we return to normal operations.

Having been by our side for 42 years, the Queens YWCA has reached a pivotal point, akin to a person entering their forties, and it seems that various issues have begun to arise. It has been two years since you took office as Executive Director. What have you accomplished during your tenure?

When I began my role as Executive Director, the most urgent issue was the financial stability of the Queens YWCA. Due to several years of financial difficulties, not only were the programs affected, but staff morale was low due to unsatisfactory working conditions. We made various efforts, and fortunately, we were able to get back on track last year. The building was also in disrepair and needed several repairs. We finally fixed two restrooms on the first floor that had been out of service for years, and we undertook repairs on the auditorium floor, which had become uneven due to water damage a few years ago, posing safety risks. During that time, I received many expressions of gratitude from senior members, which made me realize how much they had endured, and we shared in the joy of these improvements. Last fall, we initiated a capital project to raise funds for building repairs. In addition to our regular programs, we held events such as an annual dinner, the NY Music Competition Winners Concert, free breast cancer screenings in the summer, health fairs in the fall and winter, a crafts exhibition, a daily meal service, a kimchi festival, and GED graduation ceremonies, which brought us closer to the community.

Kim Eun-Kyung has a keen understanding of what our neighbors need most and the pains they experience, along with the ability to provide appropriate assistance. This may stem from her extensive and unique career.

In fact, I have been involved in music since I was young and was active as a musician in New York, so I never thought about working for women's rights. My first connection with a nonprofit organization was with the Rainbow Center. I went there to provide piano accompaniment for their 9th anniversary service and event, and after that, I became a board member. When the Executive Director position became vacant, I decided to step in temporarily. The Rainbow Center, which initially helped Korean women in international marriages, expanded its focus to include victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and all women, which led me to where I am now.

I hope the Queens YWCA continues to serve as a valuable institution in the community, helping those in need and providing joy to those who wish to share. Personally, as a Christian, I find great joy in witnessing the work of God, and I seek to be involved where God is present and active. In my experience, this is often more visible in difficult, overlooked, and lonely places. While I cannot predict how my life will unfold, I hope that wherever I am, it will become a better place.

We have started a relay interview series, and you are the first participant. Who would you like to recommend for the next interview?

I would like to recommend Grace Volckhausen, the founder of the Tiger Baron Foundation and former Director of the New York City Human Rights Commission. She has served as a board member of the Queens YWCA, and I understand that her mother was one of the founding members of the Korean YWCA. She is a well-known figure in New York City, with many connections to former governors and mayors, and has served as an advisor to them for a long time.

Kim Eun-Kyung, current Executive Director of the Queens YWCA

Graduated from Seoul National University, Department of Composition

Master's degree (M.M.) and Doctorate (D.M.A.) from Manhattan School of Music, New York

Selected as a Norton Stevens Fellow at La Schola Cantorum in Paris and McDowell Colony

Professor of Composition and Theory at Queens Conservatory of Music, New York

Former Dean of External Affairs at The Reformed Union Theological Seminary of NY, and lecturer at the Korean Presbyterian Theological College in the US and Eastern Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Host of "Good Encounters with Kim Eun-Kyung" on New York Radio Korea (currently)