Board Member Spotlight: Hyoung Chon
Board Member Hyoung Chon and her daughter, Sujin Chon, are mental health advocates and inspiring volunteer ambassadors for Catholic Charities.
What was your initial connection to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County?
Hyoung: My real estate business is very cyclic. I had very good counseling services at a very high cost until 2010. Then I was not able to pay private counseling due to financial difficulties and was referred to Catholic Charities. Sujin was eligible for the counseling service at Catholic Charities and would not have had a good recovery without it.
Also, we have a family history. I lost my mom due to bipolar mental illness. So, with this family wound, Sujin and I are motivated to help others start their journey to recovery from mental illness. The mental health programs at Catholic Charities will always be very meaningful to both of us. We feel so grateful and thankful.
What is your personal mission of giving back?
Sujin: I facilitate mental health recovery workshops for people who have a mental illness or a dual-diagnosis. I want people to know that if they have a mental illness, life can still be good!
When I was first diagnosed, I could not accept myself. I thought having a mental illness meant that my life was over and there was no possibility that I could live a happy or meaningful life.
Fortunately, I was able to start my journey to mental health recovery in 2012. I don’t need to live alone in the dark anymore with the stigma of my mental illness and have been able to live a new freedom with recovery. I’d like to pass on the hope and new spirit of recovery to as many people as possible.
Why support Catholic Charities?
Sujin: I had the privilege to work as an After-School Instructor for Catholic Charities CORAL Program from 2019-2021. Caring for and tutoring the children, it was one of the most rewarding
jobs I have ever had. I saw first-hand what an amazing program it is and parents were always grateful for our help.
Hyoung: I want to make sure my donation is really well managed to reach the people in need and without waste. All of the programs at Catholic Charities are run with utmost efficiency and transparency. Also, I want to help people in our community, as this is where I live and these are our immediate neighbors. Even though I cannot help each and every one of my needy neighbors, I can make a difference through supporting Catholic Charities.
To access Catholic Charities behavioral health services, please call the Santa Clara County number: 1 (800) 704-0900
If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call 1 (800)704-0900, press 1 or dial 9-8-8 for local 408, 650, and 669 area codes.
