Mission
Empowering young minds to realize their full potential and inspire communitychange through leadership, support, and meaningful engagement
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Initiate activities and fundraising efforts to help each youth achieve their dreams, based on overall YEF operations and the establishment of in each chapter.
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Serve as Community Supporters who can act as a foundation to help other organizations in need of support through the outcomes of our activities, we give back to society.
Our Story
It all started when Kathy, the initial founder, had a casual conversation with her friend Ellen about her child’s school youth clubs - meetings that seemed to serve no purpose beyond filling a line on college applications, not all but in many cases. They envisioned something greater. Meaningful impact not only for their own children but for others in need of support and empowerment. From this vision, Kathy and Ellen, along with two close friends, Jeramy and Lilian, laid the YEF, officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in March 2024.
Each of us, whether as an immigrant, a pastor’s child, or a survivor of domestic violence, navigated our unique challenges during our teenage years, often with little to no guidance. Our experiences taught us valuable, hard-won lessons about the power of support and the impact of action.
At YEF, we commit to empowering the next generation to realize their full potential and fly outside their comfort zone.
We pledge to each young mind that their dreams are both valid and achievable.
Together, we will dive into opportunities that challenge and inspire, ensuring every step we take is a splash that resonates across communities, creating endless ripples of positive change.
Meet The Team
Student Council
Jenna Ho
Youth Chairperson
My name is Jenna Ho, and I am currently a junior in the visual arts conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). I am the older sister to two of our board members — Sophianna and Yuna. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, listening to music (favorite band is Sleeptoken), karaoke, and hanging out with friends. I hope to use my creative ability towards powerful projects that unite and bring all different people together. I want to make a lasting impact in the community for the better alongside others, big or small.
Timothy Baik
Vice Chairperson
My name is Timothy Baik, and I am a sophomore at Sunny Hills High School. I am a part of the varsity football program and varsity track and field program. Some things that I like to do for fun is play football with my friends and to go outside and play other sports. I love to help out my community and others in any way possible because that is what makes me feel happy knowing that I did a good thing.
Chloe Koo
Vice Chairperson
My name is Chloe and I'm currently a freshman attending OCSA. My hobbies are art and baking. My passion for art started back before I could write sentences. I want to use my skill to help others through the YEF foundation.
Joseph Yoon
Secretary
Yuna Ho
Communication Director
My name is Yuna Ho, and I am currently attending OCSA as a freshman for Visual Arts. Some of my hobbies are drawing, crocheting, and digital art. I also enjoy playing electric guitar with my sister.
Sophianna Ho
Event/Volunteer Director
My name is Sophianna Ho. I am an eighth grader attending the Orange County School of the arts. During my free time I enjoy reading and hanging out with friends and family. Through YEF I hope to achieve a stronger sense of building communities and helping others.
Ellie Baik
Fundraising Director
My name is Ellie Baik and I'm an 8th grader at D. Russell Parks Junior High School. I have a great passion for basketball and would love to achieve many goals and successes with it. I also have another devotion. And that's the YEF Foundation. I love how we all get together as a group and discuss many topics as a group. No one feels left out and everyone always has the opportunity to speak for themselves at any time. I love the drive and motivation all the members of this community has.
Vacant
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