The Child Center of NY is excited to share that Nara Youn, Youth Development Business Manager, and Jin Li, Community Advocate, have been featured in Robin Hood‘s “Faces of Poverty Fighters” campaign for their extensive work on the Undo Poverty Flushing initiative, which aims to help move all Flushing community members out of rapidly growing poverty toward sustainable economic advancement.

From Robin Hood:

Be a lifeline for those in crisis, like Nara Youn and Jin Li. 

Nara Youn, the Youth Development Business Manager at The Child Center of NY, embodies the heart of poverty-fighting work in New York City. Raised in an immigrant family, she understands firsthand the struggles of navigating systemic barriers while striving for a better future. Her commitment to equity, fairness, and opportunity isn’t just professional—it’s personal. As a mother, she dreams of a city where every child, including her own daughter, has the chance to thrive.

At The Child Center of NY, Nara and Jin are working to transform lives in low-income and immigrant communities, addressing not only children’s cognitive and emotional well-being, but also the stability of entire families. Their work is rooted in collaboration, co-leading the Undo Poverty Flushing initiative to dismantle systemic barriers and advocate for economic mobility. Fluent in more than two dozen languages, her team ensures that no family is left behind, creating access to critical resources and support.

Nara’s approach goes beyond short-term fixes, focusing on lasting change through relationship-building, holistic care, and systemic advocacy. She believes that breaking cycles of poverty starts with addressing inequities and empowering communities to grow stronger together. For Nara, seeing a child excel, a family find stability, or a neighborhood unite reinforces her belief that a brighter, more equitable future is possible for all. Her story is a powerful reminder that poverty is not just about resources—it’s about opportunity, and creating pathways to lasting change.