[SV] KACC GRAND OPENING

Since 2022, Hwarang SV District has been collaborating with the San Francisco & Bay Area Korean American Community Center. Through this two- year partnership, we have formed a very close connection with the organization, assisting in a wide variety of events. As a culmination of these activities and a show of our friendship, our district was invited to attend and volunteer at the KACC Grand Opening.

Hosted on Saturday, February 17, 2024, several Hwarang members attended the ceremony. In attendance were notable politicians and leaders, such as London Breed (San Francisco City Mayor), Kevin Park (Santa Clara City Vice Mayor), Rosa Kim (FUHSD Trustee), David Lee (K-Group Co-President), among others. Volunteers were in charge of individually greeting each guest as they entered the building, as well as pinning corsages for the VIP guests. Once all the guests had entered and found their seats, volunteers then assisted with distributing gloves and scissors and holding the ribbons for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

After many of the guest speakers had spoken, two of our members, Dohyun Yang and Rachel Kim, had the opportunity to showcase the Center’s new AI program to simulate a conversation with Mr. Ahn Chang-Ho. Through brief questions and conversations, the audience was able to gain a deeper insight into Mr. Ahn’s perspective on Korean occupation and the independence movement. Although a simulation, seeing Mr. Ahn’s face talking to us about his life was a memorable experience.

Before the guests left, Hwarang volunteers also distributed gifts to each visitor, and once the final guest had left, Dr. Jonathan Kim, president of KACC, invited the volunteers to lunch, along with all the VIP’s. Overall, it was a meaningful event, meeting renown figures from the Bay Area and interacting with Mr. Ahn, and we are excited to continue working with the KACC in future years.

Written by Dohyun Yang

(SV District Chairperson)