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“Get Connected” Community Fair draws thousands of visitors.
More than 17,000 people decided to “Get Connected” on April 24, 2010, in Los Angeles, at a community fair sponsored by the Red Shield Youth and Community Center (Red Shield) and the Koreatown neighborhood. Looking for a “middle ground” venue, both groups agreed on Berendo Middle School as the event site.
Earlier in the year the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) awarded a $10,000 grant to the Red Shield to provide adult residents in its district with expanded access to broadband technology and basic computer skills to enhance their job-seeking opportunities. Red Shield used the grant to fund the event, which offered information on technology and more.
Although organizers expected 1,000 people, over 17,000 visitors attended the fair, which highlighted community unity as well as offering updates on technology, health screenings, employment information and a farmer’s market.
“The Internet is a way of life. In order to get a job, information about employment or important information from the government, you need to be online with high speed Internet. We want the city of LA to ‘Get Connected,’” Councilman Jose Huizar said.
Speakers were Luis Arteaga, director of emerging marketing, California Emerging Technology Fund; Koh Khe Hong, The Korea Daily and JBC Radio president; Betty Coony, communication director Southern California Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists; Currin Price, State Senator’s Office, District 26; Miguel Martinez, field representative for California State Assembly 46th District; Myoung Won Shik, president Korean Chamber of Commerce; David Meza, field representative for Senator Gilbert Cedillo, 22nd District; Mark Lee, president, Pico-Union Neighborhood Council; Irene De Anda Lewis, executive director, Salvation Army Red Shield; and Maritza Gentry, board member, Salvation Army Red Shield.
Financial sponsors were CETF, The Korea Daily, Red Shield, AEG, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, the Pico-Union Neighborhood Council, City Councilmember Ed Reyes (District 1), City Councilmember Tom LaBonge (District 4) and the Squires Club of Los Angeles.