My Agency

Since last semester, I have my internship at the KCS (The Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York) Corona Senior Center and the Flushing Senior Center. My agency provides various services including communal lunch, home delivered meal program, case assistance, education/recreation and information/referral. The main target population of KCS Corona Senior Center has been Korean American seniors who are 60 years old and over.

To understand Korean immigrants in United States, I review the Strangers to these shores : race and ethnic relations in the United States and the book provides the basic understanding of Korean American history and strengths. The purpose of this book is to reduce bias which is easily lead conflict. According to Parrillo, there are three major events that brought Korean immigrants United States historically. The first large group of Korean immigrant to the United States came between 1903 and 1905 by The Hawaii Sugar Planters’ Association. The main reason was they need laborers to replace the Chinese who were excluded by the 1882 legislation so they recruited 7,226 Koreans. Later on the Refugee Relief Act in 1953 was increase the population. The last event to increase Korean population in United States was the liberalized immigration law of 1954 that opened the doors to Asian immigrants and allowed relatives to join family members already in the United States. The book describes the history of Korean immigrants. As a Korean immigrant with an internship in Korean Community Service, this information is vital to know. It reminded me that international policy, such as open door policy to other nation, takes important role in immigrant society until now.

According to Parrillo, there are three unique characteristics of Korean Immigrants: religions, occupation and education. To understand Korean population, religions is key component. Almost 70 percent of the Korean American population identifies itself as Christian which is significantly higher percentage than the 30 percent Christian population in Korea. In addition the churches in immigrant society contribute many role as providing religious and ethic fellowship, a personal community, and a family atmosphere within an alien and urban environment. In Korean American occupation, 40 percent of the males operate their won businesses. It is the highest of all ethic or racial group, including whites compare to the 12 percent of self employing rate national wide. At the last Korean are more highly educated than most other nonwhite group. However their income is lower than native born Americans and their earnings are similar to those of other Asian American Group even though they have number of college graduates.

To focus on the Korean American senior population, most in the agency are first generation immigrants who have had language barriers as well as conflicts with acculturation. There are two different groups of seniors who have come to the USA. The first came to USA before their old age. They have been strong willing to raise their children in a better environment. They do not hesitate to provide a selfless devotion toward the well-being of their children. Their mere interest is seeking a better life for themselves in old age. It is based on their sense of strong kinship and their value of family. The second group of people came to USA in their old age. The role of women in the Korean American community has been changed significantly after arriving to the USA. The traditional roles of women in Korea are housewives but women who initially immigrated to the U.S. had to work. In the USA, a majority of married Korean women participate in an intensive business run by family members, which typically demand long hours. At the same time, they desperately need someone to help with child care and housework. That is why seniors usually are invited the United States to take care of the children and help house work in the family.

Despite the difficult situations, the Korean American seniors often remain in the USA even though sons and daughter are living in Korea. They enjoy the welfare benefits of the U.S. government. In Korean tradition, adult children of seniors have to provide direct for assistance their needs. Adult children help them in dealing with their physical, social and economic needs. Yet, immigrant Korean families may have difficulties in providing what aged parents need. That is why they stay in the USA during their old age. They also have to integrate the new culture and traditional roles. For example, of filial piety where seniors may expect their children to assume full responsibilities for parental needs. Yet, changes are taking place in all levels of society involving family characteristics and the roles of parents and children.

The language barrier is the most challenge for Korean-American seniors. It was interesting to work with senior member especially in communication. Without their file which recorded their personal information and previous issues and follow-up, it was hard to have information what we need. The seniors always need basic assistance, because of their language barrier. To assist senior member, I need to know all the social service that agency provide. For example, senior members bring all kinds of their letters which are comprised of medical bill, social security, and so on from home and then ask for assistance. Sometimes they understand how to respond to them but are afraid to do it their own. I like to assist them through the field of social work.

One senior member’s letter required action to be changed to the Medicare Part D plan. I needed to log on to the Medicare website and confirm that they are currently enrolled in order to find out whether the letter is a commercial one or if it is actually important. In most cases they do not have prior knowledge of the Medicare system and what they are enrolled under. Then I assist the client when they want to avoid calling the insurance company to change or renew their plan. Korean American seniors cannot make phone calls by themselves due to the language barrier and their lack of information. However, to provide assistance to the senior, I need to understand services that agency provide which is income support, health care, nutrition, housing, transportation, socialization, and legal services.

References

Parrillo, V. N. (2006). Strangers to these shores : race and ethnic relations in the United States(8th ed.). Boston: Pearson/‌Allyn and Bacon.