Vital contributions of immigrants to South Philly
Just read Mark Zimmaro’s inspiring report on the restaurant career of first-generation Korean-American chef Alex Yoon (“Chef Yoon celebrating 10 years of making Little Fish a seafood destination,” Oct. 28).
This piece is just an example of the vital contributions of immigrant families to our city and especially to our South Philadelphia neighborhood. Almost every day I love taking walks along East Passyunk Avenue and stopping by the Singing Fountain at the intersection of Passyunk, Tasker and 11th Street. It is always vibrant and exciting.
I love telling people that all I see where I live are babies and dogs. Yes, there are child care centers in my neighborhood, but I see strollers filled with babies and/or small furry animals at all different times and places.
At the fountain, I so enjoy talking to immigrant newcomers and asking them about their origins. I hear the names of countries from around the world, including Korea, Vietnam, Albania, Ecuador and Canada. I also meet Americans from all over the country who came to South Philly to live, work and just enjoy our great neighborhood.
All this interaction with young immigrant families and other newcomers gives me hope for our city and our country. Just as my own grandparents immigrated here from Italy a century ago, these new Americans, including the thriving Yoon family, have found a perfect place to settle down and fulfill their dreams. It is also a wonderful place to raise their babies and dogs.
Gloria C. Endres
