USTC360 No14 DC Food Distribution

Today's feature takes us to the heart of American democracy. Washington D.C was officially established in 1790 as the nation's capital. It has been the capital city of the U.S. for 221 years. It is an international city that has over 170 foreign embassies and boasts an increasingly diverse ethnic population, with nearly 15% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home. Despite being culturally rich, according to Montgomery County in Maryland, over 65% of Hispanic families are low-income and/or unemployed. The New York Times also reported that the largest ethnic group to be greatly affected by the current economic recession is the Hispanic community. Fortunately beginning in 2008, Tzu Chi volunteers in the Greater Washington D.C. area have been holding monthly food aid distributions for the low-income families in Broad Acres Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland.
n our next segment, "Footprints" we bring you the story of John Yang楊鐘和, who currently coordinates the environmental activities at Tzu Chi's Orange County Service Center in southern California. Before coming to America, John Yang had worked in the Emergency Room at Taiwan National University Hospital for nearly 30 years. There, he witnessed suffering and death firsthand. John later decided to move his family to the United States so his children could receive better education. He also sought to achieve the 'American Dream". John first operated a fast-food restaurant and then he switched to the motel business. He was able to purchase an 8,000-square-foot home for his family, which his children believe was one of the achievements their father was most proud of.  However, since John began learning about the Master's teachings, let's see how his life has changed since 1991.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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