Daniel Jung created a nonprofit in 8th grade to help refugee families in Tucson. His desire to help others started during the pandemic. His parents own a restaurant in Tucson and had many of their workers quit. However, the refugee employees stayed and helped his family keep the business afloat.

“They are such hard working people,” said Jung. “We really couldn’t have done it without their help. I wanted to do something to repay the refugee community in Tucson because they helped us during a difficult time.”

SOCA Charity Mission was created in 2020 and has partnered with many organizations such as The Gospel Rescue Mission’s Center for Opportunity, Lapan College and Career Club, and the International Rescue Mission Committee. Daniel has organized charity drives that provide refugee families with food, supplies, toiletries, and holiday toy drives. To date, they have served over 700 people.

Daniel is most proud of the holiday toy drive. He remembers one mother who picked out gifts for her four children and was overjoyed when she found out the gifts were free.

“She couldn’t believe it,” said Jung. “She was so appreciative of our help and said it was such a blessing. That was the confirmation I needed to keep going. That toy drive holds a special place in my heart because I realized how much our work meant to the community.”

Daniel also offers tutoring to low-income students and refugees in Tucson. When he’s not busy with his charity work, Daniel serves on the Arizona Governor’s Youth Council and their Distracted Driving Committee. Additionally, he’s the secretary of the Pima County Youth Advisory Council and works with other teen leaders to improve the quality of education in Pima County.

He plans to continue operating SOCA until he graduates from high school and has future plans to expand the organization to other cities throughout the United States.