Civic Engagement
Woori Center leads year-round civic engagement efforts to empower Korean and Asian Americans across the state of Pennsylvania. Woori Center has joined local and statewide coalitions and carries out its civic engagement activities as a coordinated effort within the broader context of AAPI communities and communities of color in Pennsylvania.
2024 Civic Engagement
In 2024, Pennsylvania voters played a pivotal role in determining the U.S. President, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator, state representatives in the PA House and Senate, and other key positions such as Attorney General, Auditor, and Treasurer. Woori Center not only focused on its core civic engagement program but also expanded its efforts by conducting a community survey. This survey provided insights into the issues that matter most to Pennsylvania’s community members during the general election, helping to inform our advocacy and outreach strategies.
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Voter engagement: we registered 228 eligible voters and conducted over 48,000 outreach calls to Korean and Asian American voters across Pennsylvania, providing crucial voting information. We also published and distributed more than 1,500 bi-lingual election brochures and 600 voter guides in Korean and in English.
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Voter survey: Through targeted outreach, we made 76,898 calls and completed 1,837 door-knocking visits to Korean and Asian American voters in Montgomery County. Our engagement revealed strong community support for key issues: 93% backed reproductive justice, 79% endorsed making Pennsylvania a more welcoming state for immigrants, and 69% supported a pathway to citizenship.
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Election day support: we provided a shuttle service for over 70 voters to their polls in Philadelphia, and Korean and Mandarin interpretation at polling sites in Montgomery County.
This internship enabled me to appreciate the power of grassroots efforts. I feel that society as a whole focuses on large-scale impact, but Woori has taught me to celebrate and strive for individual-level impact because they can make the process even more rewarding.
Avia
2023 & 2024 Civic Engagement Intern
By volunteering in Woori Center's voter registration program, I wanted to help the Asian community, as a minority group, participate in democracy, raise their voices, protect their rights, and break down the barriers ahead of us. Woori Center not only advocates for the voices of immigrants in American society but also plays the role of a vital 'connector' between generations.
Minjeong
Civic Engagement Volunteer