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Local Hero: Ellen Ahn, Providing Hope in Orange County

Asian American woman in a rust colored blouse, red lipstick and wire-rimmed glasses smiles slightly at the camera
Ellen Ahn | Courtesy of Ellen Ahn
December 1, 2022
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Nominee Name: Ellen Ahn
Title: Executive Director
Organization/Business: Korean Community Services
Website: Korean Community Services

About Ellen Ahn

Ellen Ahn is the executive director of Korean Community Services (KCS), which has provided free healthcare services to low-income and uninsured people in Orange County since the 1990s. With her leadership, the organization has annual revenues of $12 million and recently partnered with Mercy House in Buena Park to provide medical care for more than 300 unhoused people in Orange County. KCS also received a grant of $1 million from assembly member Sharon Quirk-Silva to purchase three mobile medical unit RVs dedicated to providing free medical, dental and mental health services to the poor and unhoused in Orange County. KCS is expanding from central Orange County to Irvine to reach more needy people.

Featured in: California Officials Look to Community Groups to Combat Anti-Asian Hate, Bridge Health Gaps | Voice of OC

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