38 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Exec. director of YWCA of Queens named Woman of Distinction
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@schnepsmedia.com
@jenna_bagcal
State Senator John Liu recognized the
2021 Woman of Distinction with a ceremony
to commemorate her achievements
on Monday, Sept. 13.
Th is year’s honoree was Eun-Kyung
Kim, the executive director of YWCA
(Young Women’s Christian Association)
in Queens. Kim’s work over the past two
decades focused on advocacy, management
and fundraising for her community
and most recently, helping families
during COVID-19.
During the pandemic, the YWCA of
Queens opened a food pantry that provided
fresh produce for more than 22,000
of the borough’s families and off ered virtual
classes for the community. YWCA
also distributed care packages for seniors
called LOVE BOXES, which included a
month of essential items.
Th e ceremony for Kim was held at
the YWCA of Queens headquarters in
Flushing.
“Last year, we faced many challenges
such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the
intensifying racial divisions and injustices,
the rise in anti-Asian violence, and the
widening economic inequalities have profoundly
impacted our community in ways
we never imagined,” Kim said.
Kim noted YWCA of Queens was able
to open up their facility and support the
community with a weekly food pantry
providing culturally related food, a Love
Sharing Box for the homebound seniors,
provided cash assistance and advocated
for the Asian immigrated community.
Th ey also off ered their regular programs
in an online setting, such as ESOL, GED
programs, senior programs, community
2021 Woman of Distinction honoree Eun-Kyung Kim with Senator John Liu.
support programs as well as SONYC aft er
school program and Learning Labs and
Compass Explore for children.
“I am very proud of the remarkable ability
to persevere displayed by our staff and
volunteers. Our ability to continue to provide
services to our community amidst
so many challenges is a testament to the
Courtesy of Liu’s offi ce
commitment of the Y, the courage of our
board, staff and volunteers,” Kim said.
Kim came to the United States from
South Korea aft er graduating from Seoul
National University. She then earned her
master’s and doctoral degrees from the
Manhattan School of Music where she
studied composition, conducting and
electronic music. She became a professional
composer whose music has been
performed by various artists in the U.S.,
Europe and Korea. Kim was also a music
director and conductor of the Central
New Jersey Youth Orchestra and choir
director at numerous churches.
She taught at several NYC institutions
including the Brooklyn-Queens
Conservatory of Music, Queensborough
Community College, Korean American
Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
P.S. 68 in the Bronx, the Reformed
Presbyterian Th eological Seminary of the
East, Manhattan School of Music and the
Reformed Union Th eological Seminary of
New York, where she served as a dean of
the international division.
Th e longtime radio host at Voice of NY,
Radio Korea and KCBN is oft en called
upon to be a guest speaker. Prior to her
community work, she founded and was
the artistic director of the contemporary
music group Soundclock.
In addition to her community work with
YWCA, Kim was a longtime board member
at the Rainbow Center, which is now
known as Women in Need Center, before
becoming an executive director. Aft er a
merge with the Korean American Family
Service Center, she served as director of
shelter services and outreach. She is also
an active leader with the Korean American
Association of Queens, Korean American
Human Service Provider’s Association
and National Korean American Coalition
to End Domestic Abuse.
“Th e state of New York is made great
by incredible women who go above and
beyond every day helping those in need,
especially during the COVID crisis,” Liu
said. “Eun-Kyung Kim is just such an
individual and we are proud to honor her
as our Woman of Distinction.”
Bay Terrace salon to host Day of Giving event
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@schnepsmedia.com
@jenna_bagcal
Christie & Co. Salon is hosting a “Day
of Giving” weekend to give back to local
families and children in need.
Th e charitable day will take place on
Saturday, Sept. 25, at Th e Bay Terrace
shopping center — located at 23-64 Bell
Blvd. — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Th e Day
of Giving coincides with the 50th anniversary
of the salon and the 35th anniversary
of the Ronald McDonald House Charities
New York Metro (RMHC NYM), the benefi
ciary of the fundraising event.
For the past 35 years, the organization
has created and supported programs
that directly improve the health and wellbeing
of thousands of sick children and
their families who seek lifesaving medical
care each year. Th rough the Ronald
McDonald House in New Hyde Park and
two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital,
RMHC NYM extends its support to families
and sick children lacking in fi nancial
resources.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate
this milestone,” said Lois Christie,
founder and CEO of Christie & Co. Salon.
On the itinerary for the fun-fi lled day is
a live DJ, raffl es, prizes, face painting, balloon
art and the opportunity to take photos
with Ronald McDonald himself.
Christie & Co.’s Day of Giving comes
weeks aft er Hurricane Ida damaged many
of the small businesses at Th e Bay Terrace
shopping center. While other businesses
continue to recover from Ida, the salon
and other community partners decided
to host the special day in a show of
resiliency and support for families with
seriously ill children.
“We are so proud to honor Lois Christie
at our 35th Anniversary this gala year,”
Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC New York
Metro, said. “Two weeks ago, these small
businesses suff ered tremendous loss, yet
they remain focused on supporting our
mission. For that, we are eternally grateful.”
In the past, Christie & Co. has participated
in a variety of community fundraising,
including raising money for
Hurricane Sandy victims and donating
proceeds to breast cancer research.
“We are so inspired by the strength and
generosity of our community and would
like to congratulate Lois and the Ronald
Photo via Google Maps
McDonald House,” said Anthony Colletti,
COO of Cord Meyer, developers of Bay
Terrace Shopping Center.
For more information, contact Special
Events Coordinator Shauntelle Dixon at
sdixon@rmhcnym.org, or 516-775-5683
ext. 135.
Christie & Co. Salon will host a Day of Giving.
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