For the past twenty years, S.J. has been a passionate advocate for the community, fighting for policies to improve the quality of life for Flushing residents and all New Yorkers, supporting working and middle class families, and promoting economic prosperity.

A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, S.J. joined a community organization called YKASEC in 1988. Since then, S.J. has played vital roles in building YKASEC by becoming a volunteer, Executive Director, board member, and then elected President in 2005. S.J. has helped YKASEC become one of the most vibrant community organizations in Flushing. Its programs include policy advocacy, job training, free legal assistance, low income tax clinics, housing counseling, citizenship application assistance, youth development, ESOL classes, and civic participation.

AN IMMIGRANT, S.J. came from Korea in 1986 seeking a better life. His family had little money, no connections and struggled with English, but they worked hard and started a small mom-and-pop store.

A LEADER, S.J. has worked together with community leaders, government, and non-profits to provide thousands of working families, elderly, youth, and immigrants with valuable services. S.J. has been an outspoken leader in the fight against budget cuts that hurt working women and men, immigrants, low-income families, the disabled and senior citizens. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the One New York Coalition: Fighting or Fairness, a coalition of leaders from the education, labor, and health and human service sectors.

A BRIDGE BUILDER, S.J. promotes a unifying message of shared justice and inclusion. He has united diverse communities to fight hate crimes, protect workers’ rights and increase affordable housing. He is part of an initiative, “Building Bridges Between African American and Immigrant Communities,” that promotes ongoing cooperation and dialogue between immigrants and the African American community. A member of the Board of Directors of the New York Immigration Coalition, S.J. promotes immigration reform that unites family members, respects civil rights, and provides a win-win solution for workers and businesses.

A BUSINESSMAN, S.J. started his own business in 2005. Built from the ground up, S.J. is a proud owner of a successful international trading company. S.J. understands today’s economic challenges and the important role that entrepreneurship plays in creating a vibrant economy.

It has been the life experience of S.J. Jung -- as an immigrant, a community organizer, a leader, a bridge builder, and entrepreneur -- that has propelled his political journey and it is those experiences that will inspire his work when elected to the New York City Council.