About us
Providing Tools & Resourcesto the Community to be ableto Protect & DefendThemselves
How We Started
In May 2021, a group of strangers got together to offer FREE self-defense classes to the community due to the surge in attacks targeting the seniors in the AAPI community. After hosting our first class, we decided to form a 501(c)3 nonprofit to continue helping the community.
Our organization is 100% volunteer-run. We have 7 core team members and over 300 volunteers to help the day of the events.
Since May 2021, we have successfully hosted more than 27 free self-defense workshops to over 5,000 members of the community.
In June 2022, our nonprofit was awarded the Nonprofit of the Year award from the California State Legislature. Thank you Assembly Member Phillip Chen for the prestigious award.
Making a difference,one class at a time
Each senior is someone’s grandparent, parent, brother, sister, friend, or loved one. We strive to protect and defend our elders by sharing tools, knowledge, and resources.
This program was formed to provide FREE self-defense classes for AAPI seniors and anyone 18+ are able to attend.
Process
How do we achieve this?
Volunteers
Our organization is 100% volunteer-run: Every single person has a day job, but is very passionate about giving back to the community. If you’d like to join our team, please complete the volunteer form.
Community Support
We are fortunate to receive support from organizations, government agencies and elected officials to continue hosting workshops from the community. If you’d like to partner with us on future classes, we would love to connect with you.
team
Core Team
Hong Lee
President & Co-Founder
Hong Lee’s background is in Program
Management, Project Management and low-income affordable housing. She earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree in Business Management. Her full-time career is currently in Program Management where she serves in the public sector.
In the beginning of the pandemic, she was the victim of a racially motivated Hate Incident in Los Angeles. After she came forward, 5 other victims recognized the man from the video and stated
they were also assaulted by him. This prompted action from the City Attorney. She then became a public speaker and began advocating on behalf of the AAPI community. She also became the Ambassador for LA County’s LA vs. Hate Initiative where she helps connect other victims of hate to resources.
Hong Lee is the current President and Co-Founder of our grassroot 100% volunteer-run organization, known as Seniors Fight Back (SFB), all while balancing a full-time career and three young children including a recent newborn. She is the recipient of the LA County Human Relations Commission’s Yvonne Burke
Courage Award, Joseph Ileto Courage Award and Southern California Chinese Lawyer Association’s Service Award. She and her team were awarded the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year award from the California State Legislature.
Ron Scolesdang
Program Director & Co-Founder
Ron’s background is in Business Administration. He owns and operates KO Towing and Recovery in Fullerton, CA. Ron has 20 years of Self-Defense training and currently holds the WBC National and WCK World Title in Muay Thai.
Ron is the Program Director and Co-Founder of Seniors Fight Back where he builds and oversees the teaching curriculum of SFB. Ron stays active in the AAPI and Elderly community while balancing life with his multiple businesses, fight career, wife and son.
Robin Kim
Director of External Affairs & Co-Founder
Robin’s background is in Economics/Statistics and Business Management from UCSD. He has also earned an MS in Business Analytics from Syracuse University. He is currently a Senior Manager in Strategic Sourcing and Alliances at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Robin’s combat sports background includes: Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.
Off the mats and Microsoft Excel, Robin enjoys deep sea fishing (Blue Fin Tuna and Yellowtail) and golfing with his parents; his parents are the “why” behind everything he is doing for the AAPI community. Robin’s role with SFB as the Director of External Relations includes efforts to build partnerships to fund, amplify, and expand the reach and voice of his SFB team.
Toan Chung
Legal Counsel
Toan’s background is in law. He represents public and private businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, as lead counsel in state and federal courts. He values giving back to the community and serves as pro bono counsel for victims of AAPI hate, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Toan serves as a board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County. He chairs a monthly legal clinic in Monterey Park that provides free legal services to low-income families.
Cindy Le
Volunteer Outreach Manager
Cindy’s background is in Recreational Therapy, specifically working with individuals with disabilities, and Hospitality. She has worked in Customer Service and Restaurant Management for over a decade and her full-time career is in Hospitality Management for the Premium Clubs at Dodger Stadium.
Cindy has been active in volunteering for various nonprofit organizations since high school and loves giving back to her community whenever possible. She started off as one of the first dedicated volunteers for Seniors Fight Back. She was recently invited to join the Core Team and became our Volunteer Outreach Manager. Cindy believes that her creative, organizational, and leadership skills will be put to good use in her newly appointed position.
Seniors Fight Back
Non-profit of the Year Award 2022