Our History

2025

In 2025, we’re excited to launch a new program aimed at helping single mothers achieve financial independence. We believe that for children to thrive, families need a healthy and stable foundation. In 2024, we started by providing educational programs for parents, but in 2025, we want to take it a step further and support families as they work toward independence.

  • Lift Up Family

2024

2024 can be summed up with two words: expansion and progress. Through our new programs, we’ve built new networks, and the programs we’ve been running for a while have become more stable. Your participation and support have been invaluable!

  • Shine Bright, You! (SMILE Program): In January, we partnered with Yonsei University’s Institute of Generational Coexistence to run group counseling sessions for mothers with teenage children, helping to strengthen their skills.

  • Mental Health First Aid Training for Youth: We held three training sessions in March, May, and November, graduating over 60 participants. These new mentors are now equipped to spot early signs of mental health challenges in youth and help connect them to professional support.

  • CLOCK AM (Adult Mentor) Gatherings: Held in February, May, June, August, and October. These gatherings helped parents, counselors, and community leaders better understand youth mental health through topics like school laws, psychiatric medications, and self-care for parents.

  • Youth Mental Health Forum & Parent Seminar: In April, we teamed up with UGA’s School of Social Work to host a forum to promote youth mental health in the community. In October, we held a seminar for parents of middle and high school students in Fulton County.

  • Medical/Dental Outreach in Greece: In October, we visited three cities in Greece, including Athens, to provide acupuncture and dental care to refugees from Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and other countries.

  • Fundraising Events: In March, we held a Trunk Show fundraiser, and in December, we’ll be hosting a Christmas Bazaar. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported and participated!

  • Christmas Celebration with the Community: This December, we’ll be supporting a Christmas party for families led by single mothers.

2023

“Korean-American Youth Behavioral Health Strengthening Forum” - With School of Social Work at University of Georgia, Center for Asian Studies at University of Georgia and KASWA, CCI hold a forum for local Korean-American community to raise the awareness of the importance of youth behavioral health.

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Training- Korean version pilot program

2022

“Human behavior development and social environment” - With Dr. Myung Hee, Jun at Handong Global University, we had a group study about the theory of human behavior development. The purpose of this activity was to gain a better understanding of the Impact of child development on adulthood.

  • TIP at DoDream Parents

2021

“Maeum-Jopggi” - We provided a counseling program to young adults. The COVID-19 pandemic affects the patterns of our lives and disrupts our minds. To check the well-being of young adults’ bodies, minds, and souls, we hired a professional counselor to have a group and individual counseling session

  • CCI C&S Class A & CCI C&S Class U

  • CCI 2021 EIO Program for Young Adults in Korea

  • May - Sep : HAT Sync

  • YNOT Conference

  • TIP at DoDream Youth

2020

Launching and developing a program called “Hat_blank” Our mission is to empower the next generations (Gen Z+) to find and take action on their path to a fulfilling life.

'Hat' is an acronym for 'How about this?". The name implies our values of asking open questions and opening up for diverse perspectives and discussions to help form one's opinion and unique points of view. The '_blank_' is a placeholder for any themes we may cover in the future.

  • CCI Care & Support (English Learning for SMW); continued from 2019

  • CARKAY Workshop - TIP

  • CCI-Handong Global University, Summer program for North Korean Defector students

  • CCI Care & Support (English Learning & TIP for HGU)

  • CCI VIrtual Program (2 sessions)

2019

  • Master trainer certification for Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP)® program by Loyola University Chicago

  • Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant awarded

  • Starting Point program with aged-out ShinMangWon young adults

  • MOU signed with Handong Global University (Handong Inst. for Peace and Reconciliation) to grow and develop next-generation leaders for Korean reunification

  • Starting Point program with North Korean defector college students from Handong Global University

  • Fundraising Trunk shows with FaithLilli

  • CCI-MOT (Medical Outreach Team) dental care mission trip to Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

  • CCI ESL program continued

2018

  • Fundraising Trunk shows with FaithLilli in S. Korea

  • Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP)® program to the local youth groups

  • Healing and Mentoring workshop for the immigrant parents of the local youth

  • CCI ESL program began to teach English and American culture to immigrants, migrants, and refugees

  • The Healing and Mentoring program continued with grants funded by the Overseas Koreans Foundation

2017

  • Fundraising Trunk shows with FaithLilli

  • F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - Orphans Dream Fulfillment program

  • The Healing and Mentoring program continued with grants funded by the Overseas Koreans Foundation

2016

  • Approved a certifying organization with the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards

  • MOU with Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work

  • F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - Orphans Dream Fulfillment program

  • Local youth volunteering program

2015

  • North Korean refugee children foster care manual project support

  • MOU signed with ShinMangWon for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - Orphans Dream Fulfillment program

  • Grant received via Korean Embassy from Overseas Koreans Foundation

  • Partnership with ASIA Families (Grace H. Song, ED) in VA

2014

  • Confirmation of exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

  • Financial support to Ms. H. H. Kim, NK defector, through the donation from Algok Korean School of Washington Zion Presbyterian Church, began

2013

  • Campaign on North Korean (NK) Child Welfare Act of 2012 (HR1464)
    EGOgram and OKgram workshop

  • “North Korean Children of Refugee Settlement Manual” project

  • F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is launched

  • CC Market launched

  • Sociodrama tried and used for clients

2012

  • First meeting with founding members (Jamie Doh, Hee Seo, and W. Tim Doh)

  • First board meeting with all 9 board members worship and service

  • Corporate set up and FEIN issued

  • Financial supports to partner organizations, HSICF and LAMP, began