Partnering with community-based organizations, we invite interested seniors to share their stories and evoke memorable meals from their pasts: the scents and flavors, the occasion, the atmosphere and the people. These stories are transcribed and shared as zines and orally at public gatherings where meals inspired by the stories are shared. We also grow and share Korean heritage crops with the elders.

The Korean diaspora in the United States is disconnected not only geographically but generationally, linguistically, and culturally. The Covid-19 pandemic further heightened the isolation of largely monolingual Korean seniors. SSI YA GI is a way to forge meaningful intergenerational connections and uncover rich narratives that would otherwise be lost to history. Through the collection of food memories, the project provides a platform for the Korean American community – and beyond – to gain a better understanding of itself, our shared culture and heritage, and our full and diverse experiences.

Ssi Ya Gi partners with people who share our values of human-centered organizing and activism and amplifying marginalized perspectives. We are led by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female-identifying organizers. Our kismet fueled working group consists of:

Ginny Hwang | jo gam do
Yoon Ju Ellie Lee | GYOPO
Grace Jiyun Lee | Non-profit community consultant
Hannah Pae | GYOPO
Hyunch Sung | Studio Moonya