Sid Kato and Dae Joong “DJ” Yoon recently joined LTSC’s Board of Directors, adding to a diverse lineup of professionals from a range of backgrounds. Both look forward to utilizing their unique perspectives and experience to further LTSC’s mission. Welcome Sid and DJ!

Sid Kato

For the past 25 years, Sid Kato has been a small business owner and serial entrepreneur, owning several technology companies. “I stumbled into my career by going to trade school to learn computer programming. I took to technology like a fish takes to water.” Sid downsized his entrepreneurial endeavors but continues to run his software companies, 3PL Systems and Array Systems Inc.

Sid has been married for over 37 years and has three sons. He has a passion for coaching kids basketball and recently began coaching a fifth grade girls F.O.R. team. A few years ago, he challenged himself to start taking improv and stand-up comedy classes. “I knew it would be good for me to stretch in areas that I am fearful of. It has been a wonderful experience for me to stretch in areas I am most uncomfortable. I’m learning to refocus my energy into other areas, thus LTSC is a perfect fit for me.”

How were you first introduced to LTSC?

Mark Usui asked me if I was interested in joining the Board. He is a current Board member and will be terming out next year. I have been blown away at every step of my learning process about LTSC and the impact that LTSC has within the community. I’m excited to get started and to figure out how and where I can help.

Why is serving on LTSC’s Board meaningful to you?

I like helping people and helping organizations to overcome challenges. I just want to get to know the organization as best as possible, then focus my attention in a specific area – maybe technology since that is my background.  

Are there specific programs or work areas at LTSC that you’re looking forward to engaging with? Why?

Yes, I’m interested in getting involved with Changing Tides working with mental health. It is an area that I’d like to learn more about and see where I could be helpful to support the great work Margaret and Matthew are doing. The reason I’d like to get involved is because I’ve recently learned that suicide amongst young Asians between the ages of 15 to 25 has risen to the number one reason of death which is a major concern, as I’ve coached young kids for over 40 years.

Additionally, I’d like to support the homeless service initiatives that LTSC is involved in. I believe this social problem needs support and attention and I’d like to help any way possible.

What makes LTSC unique from other nonprofits?

I think the biggest difference between LTSC and other non-profits is the initial spark for the organization which came from protest. It’s this spark that created the culture of LTSC to always focus on the underserved and underrepresented with the driving characteristic of fighting injustice!!!

DJ Yoon

Dae Joon “DJ” Yoon was born in Korea and moved to the US at the age of 18 and considers himself a proud immigrant. Upon his arrival, he was introduced to a community organization where he joined a youth program and later became a volunteer, gaining inspiration from a group of low-income immigrant seniors fighting for their welfare programs.

DJ was the Executive Director of the Korean Resource Center (KRC) when LTSC partnered with KRC to build senior housing in Koreatown. He was a founding board member of the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago, and served as the national president of Young Koreans United (YKU). DJ has a daughter and son who are both in their early 20s. 

How were you first introduced to LTSC?

In the early 2000s while I was a part of the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles, we reached out to LTSC to help us build an affordable senior apartment together in Koreatown. LTSC taught our organization and senior community in Koreatown that if people organize and demonstrate their power, we can build our own affordable housing in the community. 

It took almost ten years to build two affordable senior apartments in Koreatown, and we finally had the grand opening in 2016. As I look back, it is so amazing how the LTSC leadership team never gave up the project during that whole ten years of ups and downs.

Why is serving on LTSC’s Board meaningful to you? 

I became a big fan of LTSC after we built the affordable senior apartments together in Koreatown, so it means a lot to join the Board. Last year, my family donated our old car to LTSC. It was so easy and every step was convenient, I hope to encourage others to do the same.

Are there any programs or work areas at LTSC that you’re looking forward to engaging with? Why?

I look forward to supporting LTSC’s critical services, community organizing and low-income housing development program. And if possible, I would like to share some thoughts and have discussions around climate change and renewable green jobs and clean energy in the AAPI community.

What makes LTSC unique from other nonprofits?

Cool staff and kickass Board members! And very diverse and multigenerational support from the community. It is so great to see that LTSC is very united and has a powerful vision and respectful collaboration with so many diverse allies. To me, LTSC is a one of a kind true leader in Southern California, especially in AAPI communities. And I am so honored to be a part of it.