11/8/10 — Compassion, a worldwide organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty, came to Los Angeles from Nov. 1-7 to an eagerly awaiting Korean American community. Representing the group were Korean singer and composer Young Hoon Joo, hip-hop star Jin Woo Kim (also known as Sean), and actress Ae Ra Shin. They have been avid contributors towards the organization’s cause.
On November 3, 2010 during an event at Church Everyday in Northridge, the three speakers shared their Compassion experiences and encouraged people to join in the group’s mission by supporting a child in poverty.
“As the members of Church Everyday already helped our group out, Compassion wanted to inform the Korean-American community about this organization,” Shin explained.
Compassion is a Christian, non-profit organization that provides one-on-one relationships between the supporter and the child. By choosing to financially support a child, which is $38 a month, the supporter will be able to communicate with the child via letters and photos. For supported children, this opportunity gives them a chance at rising above their barriers of poverty.
“We want to give them a future, a hope,” Shin said. “And most importantly, we want to give them God’s love.”
Shin had a special message for students.
“We always feel that charity is something that is burdensome. As students we always say, ‘I’m going to contribute when I’m older and richer.’ However, if students don’t start in their current situation, they may never get to contribute later. For some students, $38 may be too much, but they can always split up the money with their other student friends.”
Founded in 1952 when one man decided to help 35 orphans in South Korea, Compassion is now a worldwide organization that helps children in countries such as Haiti, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Ethiopia. In 2008, Compassion reached its one-millionth registered child.
In addition to the event at Church Everyday, Compassion also held other events such as a photo exhibit in Los Angeles and informative social gatherings. The photo exhibit, featuring many different photos from impoverished countries around the world, was a week-long event that concluded on November 7.
For students and people who want to help the organization and its mission, but cannot do so financially, Shin offered this advice.
“There are always many opportunities to help out, including translating Korean letters into English. What I want to stress is that as students, they need to learn about the world around them at an early stage.”
