Joy and Stephen Yoon co-founded a non-profit organization known as IGNIS Community to serve the underprivileged in North Korea. Their work has led them to developing social entrepreneurship in rural areas, providing healthcare to remote fishing villages, and developing treatment for children with developmental disabilities in the DPRK.
Initially, they were able to enter North Korea through Stephen’s medical background and training. But as Joy observed her husband treating children in the local hospital, the more it burdened her that children with disabilities often had to miss months or even years of school while they received treatment. Even worse, many of these children had never received an education. Joy began to look for ways to advocate for their need for education.
As a result of her advocacy, she was eventually able to work directly with the children in the hospital. This included providing occupational, speech, and educational therapy. Amazingly, Joy found herself, a white American, teaching North Korean children how to read and write Korean! It was an honoring and humbling experience. And she feels privileged to have been entrusted with these children in the hospital.
Although Joy was an experienced science educator with a Master’s in Biology and a long-time homeschooler, she intentionally sought out training to better equip herself professionally to educate children with cerebral palsy, autism, and other learning challenges. Joy has blended her understanding in Biology and the sciences with education and therapy. Having received certification in Special Education, Educational Therapy, TEACCH Autism Program, and NeuroDevelopmental Screening qualifications, Joy provides individualized therapy and teaching for children with a myriad of learning challenges. She believes in not only providing tailored education for each child with a special need but also in getting to the root causes of their symptoms and addressing them in a NeuroDevelopmental Approach through therapy.