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    CIDA / Our Team

    We’ve Got a Top Notch Team!

    Young Seh Bae, Ph.D.

    President/Executive Director

    Founder Dr. Bae is a mother of two young men. One of her sons, Eugene, is a person with autism. Ever since her son’s more

    diagnosis, she has spent her life fighting for individuals with disabilities and their families. She earned her Ph.D. in special education from the Teachers College at Columbia University, and a MA in Business Education from NYU. She is the former President of KABHA and a faculty member of the Teachers College. Dr. Bae initiated the first parent education programs for Korean-American families with a NYS DDPC grant.

    Joon Her

    Program Coordinator

    Joon Her graduated from Hunter College where he majored in Psychology. With an interest in pursuing more

    child and adolescent psychology in the future, he hopes that CIDA will be a great learning opportunity. He has a strong background in data management and wants to make a positive impact in the community through his contribution to CIDA. In his free time, Joon loves to travel to eat all kinds of interesting foods and update his food blog.

    MiJung Kim

    Field Associate

    Mrs. MJ Kim has a son, Willfree, who is a person with a psychiatric diagnosis. She has played a key role in more

    community outreach and developing after-school program resources for the Korean American Alliance for Families with Disabilities (KAAFaD), including the free Taekwondo lesson project for children with disabilities. Formerly, she worked in the advertising department in the New York Korea Times and Family Day Care for a number of years. Mrs. MJ Kim is in charge of family engagement in Queens, NY.

    Kelly Hur

    Development Associate

    Kelly Hur is a mom of twin boys and lives in Long Island. Prior to joining CIDA, she worked in kids and family entertainment more

    industry where she found her passion for education and curriculum development.

    Kelly received a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University and a Master of Arts in Communication from Johns Hopkins University. She will be starting her second master’s degree in special education at St. John’s University in fall 2020.

    Haewa Trakansook

    Intake Specialist

    Haewa Park (Intake Specialist) lives in Queens with her husband and two children.  After her second child more

    was diagnosed  with autism in 2018, she participated in CIDA’s parent gatherings and became an active parent leader.  In Korea, she majored in print media and she completed her art history major at Queen’s College in New York.  Haewa has been trained to participate in IEP meetings and learned about special education through CIDA’s Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) 2019.  In Fall 2020, she will be starting her Master’s program in social services at Fordham University. 

    Wendy Xia

    Field Associate

    Wendy Xia is a Chinese-American parent who is actively involved in her child’s school and other Chinese parents’ networks more

    in New York City Public Schools in Queens. She speaks mandarin fluently and has a Master’s degree in Economics from Renmin University in China.
    She also has a continuing education credential from Biola University and has received a Certificate in Integrative Counseling in 2018. Her tasks include: reaching out to Chinese parents and schools in Queens, coordinating parent training events, translating and interpreting, training and one-on-one assistant sessions.

    Jiyoung Kim Ph.D.

    Education Specialist

    Dr. Kim is an education specialist with diverse knowledge and experience in the field of special education. more

    After majoring in Special Education in Korea, she worked for students with disabilities as an early childhood and elementary special education teacher. She earned her MA in Educational Technology from Seoul National University and her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin. As the mother of a 26-year-old son with multiple disabilities (i.e., intellectual disability, seizure disorder, and cerebral palsy), she understands what difficulties exist for Korean-Americans with disabilities and their families, due to their cultural and linguistic differences. With the hope that her knowledge and experience could have a positive impact on society and change the community culture and system, Dr. Kim joined CIDA in October of 2018.

    2020 Interns – Shining Through COVID-19

    Jamie Lee

    Drama Club – Intern

    Jamie Lee graduated from Hunter College with a degree in Psychology. more

    During the summer internship program, she hopes to have a positive contribution to her students and the community. In her free time, Jamie loves to draw, dance, and bake.

    Bella Hwang

    Drama Club – Intern

    Bella Hwang is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and Computer Science. more

    Her goal is to learn more about the obstacles facing individuals with disabilities, to engage with overcoming these obstacles, and ultimately to make the community a better place. Outside of volunteer work, Bella enjoys playing and making video games.

    Devin Bae

    Drama Club – Intern

    Devin Bae is in senior year of his undergraduate term at Cornell University. more

    He has been closely involved with many of CIDA’s projects over the last few years, and is always looking forward to nudging the community in the right direction. During this summer of the first year of COVID-19, he plans to be involved in many programs that can help those in need due to the virus. He enjoys reading, video games, and anything related to Broadway.

    Joy Chung

    Drama Club – Intern

    Joy Chung is a mother of 2 children.  She had worked as a part time pharmacist  more

    for over 18 years, but quit to be a full time parent. Volunteering for CIDA was like a sweet treat for her. Children are God’s precious treasures. Thank you!

    Suah Chung

    Drama Club – Intern

    Suah Chung is a rising junior at Stuyvesant High School and aims to pursue medicine. more

    She is looking forward to working with CIDA and is very grateful for this learning opportunity. She hopes to gain experience and make a positive impact in her community. In her free time, Suah loves reading, writing short stories, painting and listening to music.

    Daniel Jeon

    Drama Club – Intern

    Hello, my name is Daniel Jeon and I am currently a student at Stuyvesant High School. more

    What is the one act that everybody loves? Sleep, the most beautiful thing, is my hobby. But, it is somewhat of a perplexing situation, because my other hobby is staying up late. My mentor’s quote resonates with me, “Sleep is for the Weak.” But, should I sleep to intern for CIDA? Of course – therefore, I must sleep.

    Joeun Huh

    Drama Club – Intern

    Joeun Huh graduated from Tufts university in 2012, majored fine arts and attended more

    Pratt institute in 2013, majored fine arts for a year, and completed painting certificate program at Art student league of New York in May 2020. Going through the journey with fine arts, it helps to understand self and recognize surrounding by experiences. My husband had mild autism when he was young, and with mother-in-law’s amazing care  with love and education, he grew up to become math teacher. I believe love, care and education always can make miracle.

    Isaac So

    Drama Club – Intern

    Isaac So is a rising senior at the Bronx High School of Science. more

    He is working to become an actor, and has joined CIDA so that his interest can work for something that benefits others. During free time, Isaac enjoys watching movies and reading.

    Jenny Kim

    Community Forum – Committee

    Jenny Kim is a rising junior at Stony Brook University majoring in Health Science. more

    Her hobbies include dancing and baking. During her time volunteering with CIDA, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

    Joanne Ryu

    Community Forum – Committee & Self-Determination Academy

    Joanne Ryu is a recent graduate from New York University with a degree in Applied more

    Psychology. She is passionate about strengthening the capacity of children and teens through social support and education. Her goal is to continue working towards a career in psychology that can increase inclusion opportunities to people in need, especially in a school and workplace environment. 

    Erin Park

    Self-Determination Academy

    Erin graduated from Boston University in 2019 with a degree in Special Education, specializing in severe disabilities. more

    She is currently a teacher for students with disabilities, aged 18-21. She hopes to continue to be a teacher and an advocate for students who are transitioning out of school. She also hopes to one day further her education to learn more about and reform existing policies to bring better opportunities for adults with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys going on long walks!

    2019 Interns – Bringing Positive Impact

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    Kate Hwang

    Program Associate

    Kate is a student at St. Francis Prep. She is excited to work with CIDA over the summer to help make more

    a positive impact in her community. Kate always tries to help with community service and volunteer work. She hopes to have fun and work hard this summer. She loves to play volleyball and hang out with her friends.

    Kevin Chun

    Program Associate

    Kevin Chun is currently a junior in Binghamton University studying Finance. He appreciates learning more

    about the different aspects and programs that involve people with disabilities and is willing to contribute to spreading awareness as well. His hobbies include playing the piano, watching documentaries, and waking up late.

    2018 Interns – Shining light on the Next Generation of Leaders

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    Erin Park

    Program Associate

    Erin is currently a rising senior at Boston University, majoring in Severe Special Education. more

    She is passionate about advocating for students with disabilities, especially as they transition out of the school system. In the future, she hopes to teach students with disabilities at the high school level, and then eventually work within education policy to bring about changes to this unfortunately broken field. In her free time, Erin loves to journal, go on runs, and explore new places, especially restaurants!

    Charlotte Hutzler

    Program Associate

    Charlotte is a student at New York University majoring in Applied Psychology with minors in creative more

    writing and American Sign Language. She is passionate about mental health advocacy and enjoys working with children and adolescent populations. She loves poetry, social justice, and cooking.

    Lesley Jeon

    Program Assoicate

    Lesley attends New York University and is studying Foreign Language Teaching. She is looking forward to more

    working with CIDA this summer and hopes to make a positive impact in her community. Lesley loves to bike, eat food, and look at pictures of cute dogs and babies.

    Maria Gulino

    Head Coder/Program Developer

    Maria attends Johns Hopkins University and studies Computer Science as an undergraduate student. more

    Ever since her two year adventure to Greece, Maria has loved soccer. She admits to not being the best player, but it doesn’t stop her from having fun! Maria also loves computers, Netflix, and food (food the most of the three).

    Bella Hwang

    Program Development

    Bella Hwang is a high school student studying at Bergen County Academies with a focus in business. more

    She is passionate about making a positive impact in her community. In her free time, Bella loves to read, play the piano, listen to new music, and play with her cat, Chorong.

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