Empowering YANA Youth to Dream and Work for a Better Future

Project JOY (Jobs On Yana) started with Korean-American companies and business partners working with YANA to provide internships for students who have aged out of the Korean orphan facilities. Through these internships, students gain valuable work experience as well as networking opportunities to equip themselves for their future working life. All three of the YANA Study Abroad Program (YSAP) students have gained this opportunity in various locations. Since April 2018, we have had a college student, Seungho Jo, from Dongmyung Children’s Home, who was granted a CJ-1 visa for an internship. He also received an internship scholarship from the Korean government for his J-1 visa program. Seungho is currently working at a computer refurbishment company, Joy Systems, which is located in Somerset, NJ.

YANA Ministry is forever grateful for “Project JOY” supporters such as Joy Systems, Truelight Daycare, and Joy Internal Medicine for the opportunities offered to our students.

Ann Kim Director of Joy Internal Medicine

Supporter of ‘Project Joy’ since 2017

I first started this ministry simply thinking it was interesting that the name of our clinic and the name of YANA Ministry’s project were the same. But now, this ministry has passed two years and is entering its third year. Interestingly, from the very beginning of opening the clinic, our staff has been made up of college students or students preparing for graduate school. Many of the staff who quickly and easily learned the work turned out to be pursuing dreams of becoming doctors, nurses, or physician assistants.

Seeing so many young people dream big at Joy Internal Medicine, adapt well to their changing environment, and work with dedication makes me incredibly proud. I am also deeply thankful to be able to watch these young adults plan their futures. It reminds me of YSAP’s Jina, whose once vague future is now being shaped into concrete steps. In Jina’s case, she began simply wanting to gain experience, but over time, through the influence of those she worked with, she developed an interest in studying. Now, she is preparing to become a physician assistant. (A physician assistant is a medical professional who assists and supports doctors in caring for patients—one of today’s most in-demand careers.)

Among the staff members who worked with us over the past five years, two have gone on to medical school, one graduated from nursing school and now works at a university hospital, and another is studying nursing at a university in New York.

I hope that Joy Internal Medicine continues to be a place that provides opportunities for many young staff members—including Jina—to pursue meaningful dreams and ultimately live out the futures they envision.

Playing the role of a stepping stone that helps young people move toward a better future — this is also one of my own dreams. Like Jina, I want to plant dreams in more young adults and support them through their studies so they can make those dreams come true. I also want to provide opportunities for students who have completed their studies to work with us and grow together.

There is an important message contained in the name of our clinic, and I want to share it: J — Jesus First O — Others, Second Y — You, Last

God created this company, and my role is simply to share His love with each staff member to the best of my ability. I am deeply grateful that Jina has become part of the Joy Internal Medicine family. I am excited to see how God will use her in the near future.

Ann Kim

Director of Joy Internal Medicine