About Kalca

The Korean American League for Civic Action (KALCA) aims to develop, empower and mentor second generation Asian Americans to utilize their talents to become public service leaders on local, regional and national levels.

It is imperative that we nurture and support the young men and women who seek to lead our communities through hands-on internships, leadership training and one-on-one mentorship. KALCA has been at the forefront on this endeavor for a decade and has cultivated ongoing relationships with key government offices and non profit organizations in New York City. As KALCA approaches our 10th year anniversary, it is our goal to continue to invest in the next generation of leaders through our Public Interest College Internship Program.

Public Interest College Internship Program

The KALCA College Internship Program (CIP) is a highly selective and intensive eight-week summer internship program that places college students in key government offices, leading non-profit organizations and high profile political campaigns. Placements include NYC Bar Justice Center, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Legal Aid Society, New York City Commission on Human Rights, Channel 13 World Focus, the Office of Senator Charles Schumer, New York City Comptroller Campaign, Citizens Union, and U.S. Senate Campaign for the State of New York.

Our interns get an insider’s view of civic and democratic processes, and participate in a specialized, hands-on curriculum to develop their leadership skills. The interns are supervised by senior staff in their assigned offices. The College Internship Program features individualized leadership training, the opportunity to meet civic leaders in small group settings, exploration of national, state and community issues, and career advice in a wide range of public service professions including government, law, business, journalism, non-profit management and politics.

2009 Leadership Development Initiative

The 2009 Leadership Development initiative is centered on the current economy and the rise in incredible talent that is now available and seeking to enter into public service careers. This is an unprecedented time for Asian Americans. Never in American history has there been such a high caliber, culturally adept, and talented pool of Asian Americans poised to pursue public interest careers they feel authentic affinity to. Whether it is honest and ethically responsible journalism or politics, innovative environmental conservation, or sustainable international development, KALCA believes in laying the bridges for those who are passionate in their respective callings to achieve their goals. This in turn greatly benefits the public, not just Asian Americans but all Americans, by increasing the talent pool in which the most qualified candidates represent, govern, inform and lead us.

Public Interest Career Exploration and Mentorship Series

The Public Interest Career Exploration and Mentorship Series lays the bridge between those who are seeking to enter into public interest careers and the current practitioners who want to give back to the community by sharing their valuable expertise and insights. To this end, KALCA has hosted and is hosting panel discussions on various public interest careers, such as law, media, politics, non-profit, environment, international development, arts and corporate philanthropy. We launched our Career Series in April 2009, and since then have had panel discussions and roundtables on the topics of journalism, public interest law, international affairs and the United Nations, politics, microfinance and Communications & Media. To date, there were over 300 attendees for the six events.

In the past ten years, KALCA's leadership programs have served several hundreds of participants by informing them of important and timely topics ranging from the importance of voting and effective campaign management to how to run for political office.

NYC Elections

We are also proud that our 2009 calendar year included non-partisan educational programming that prepared the community for the 2009 New York City elections. KALCA co-sponsored a NYC Council District 1 Candidates Forum, a Career in Politics Panel for over 100 students and young professionals, and helped monitor Asian American votes to prevent discrimination at the polls during the primary and general elections. Further, numerous KALCA members supported candidates of their choice by volunteering hundreds of hours during the elections months.