In September 1998, Samuel K. K. Chung, MD and Vanessa Ma were talk show hosts at a local Chinese radio station in the Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley area. The show was about general government policies which included health care issues and social services for senior citizens. Elizabeth Wong was a regular guest on the show. During the weekly three hour time slot on Monday evenings, listeners could call in during the program and ask various questions related to the above topics. The show also provided information to listeners on how to access health care and social services.
The show was well received by the Chinese community and was a success when it concluded in March 2000.
During the 18-month period that the program was on the air, Dr. Chung, Vanessa Ma and Elizabeth Wong (the Trio) realized that large number of residents in the Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley area did not have adequate knowledge to access government and community resources due to language barrier. The Trio determined to do something about this.
Over the next three years, after a survey of seniors, health care service providers and government agencies, the Trio decided to establish a Referral Center for seniors and their families. They envisioned a center that would serve as a one-stop clearing house for non-English speaking seniors in multi-ethnic communities by providing educational materials about health and social services. These educational materials are readily available in the public domain but because of language barrier, non-English speaking seniors have limited or no access to this information. “We are committed to serving the educational needs of our multi-ethnic seniors.” said Dr. Chung.
In October 2003, the Trio’s idea was materialized. Inter-Cultural Social and Education Services, Inc. (ISESI) was chartered to become a 501©3 non-profit organization.
Since its inception, ISESI has been collaborating with other agencies and community-based organizations to produce workshops, conferences and forums to address the seniors’ needs and concerns related to health care and social services.
The following is a list of what ISESI has contributed to the communities:
In April 2004, ISESI partnered with Beverly Hospital to present a Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Program at Wilkinson Senior Resource Center in Montebello, California. (more info)
In May 2004, ISESI partnered with Beverly Hospital again to present the above program at the Bruggermeyer Memorial Library in City of Monterey Park, California.
In June 2004, co-sponsored with Herald Community Center and National Heritage Insurance Company, a Medicare Part B carrier, to present the above program at Herald Community Center in City of San Gabriel, California.
In 2004 over a 10-month period, ISESI worked with two professors from the School of Social Work at the University of Southern California to develop Web Health Education Resources for Elders (W.H.E.R.E). W.H.E.R.E is an online resource that provides credible, multilingual information from websites around the world that focus specifically on senior health.
On May 21, 2004, ISESI held an Inaugural and Fundraising Dinner. The theme of the Dinner was “Celebrating the Greatness of Diversity”. (more info)
On May 14, 2005, ISESI presented the Gateway to Senior Services Fair at Langley Senior Center in City of Monterey Park. At this event, over 40 health care and social services providers were present to answer questions on a one-on-one basis for the non-English speaking participants. The two lecture topics presented were Alzheimer’s Disease & Medicare Scam and Fraud. (more info)
On October 14, 2005, ISESI held a Second Annual Fundraising Dinner. The theme of the Dinner was “Continuing to Celebrate Diversity”.
On November 4, 2006, ISESI co-sponsored the Family Health and Safety Fair hosted by the Chinese Chamber Cultural Foundation of Los Angeles. (more info)
In November 2006, ISESI participated in HIS Foundation Outreach Program, which sent short-term medical mission teams to the China Province of Hunan to perform operations on patients with congenital, post-traumatic and burn deformities, as well as in correcting harelip and cleft palates.
On December 1, 2006, ISESI held a Third Annual Fundraising Dinner. The theme of the Dinner was “Celebrating the Greatness of Diversity.” Hollywood actor George Cheung was the Master of Ceremonies.
Year 2007 is a very busy year for ISESI and some of its board members. The following are some of the community activities they have been involved in:
On February 23, University of Southern California inaugurated the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology. Two ISESI members were invited to attend the inauguration.
On March 9, ISESI Board of Directors conferred with the Deputy from the Office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss different issues facing Asian American in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles. (more info)
On the same day, ISESI co-sponsored a Chinese New Year Banquet hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles. (more info)
May is the month of Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month. ISESI board members and friends attended the KCET Award Dinner at KCET Studio, API Award Celebration hosted by California Assemblyman Honorable Mike Eng at City of Rosemead Community Center, and opening and closing ceremonies of API Month presented by the Mayor of Los Angeles and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
On May 12, five ISESI board members attended a gala celebration hosted by Chinese Historical Society of Southern California to honor Chinese American banking pioneers.
In the same month, several ISESI board members and friends participated in two fundraising events conducted by Monterey Park Library Foundation and Herald Community Center.
On June 9, several ISESI members and friends relaxed at the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Los Angeles Chapter’s summer retreat picnic.
On June 23, ISESI held the 2nd Gateway to Senior Services Fair at Monterey Park Langley Senior Center. Over 350 seniors and their families attended the event.
On June 29, ISESI board members were invited to witness the installaion of a new board for the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Soroptimist Club.
On July 13, ISESI participated at the Lotus Festival at Echo Park celebrating people and cultures of Asia and Pacific Islanders. The festival was organized by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
On September 16, ISESI co-sponsored AARP Greater Los Angeles Chinese Chapter’s new board installation gala event.
On September 27, two ISESI board members who are on the Advisory Council of Angelus Plaza Senior Activity Center attended the City View Evening event in downtown Los Angeles hosted by Retirement Housing Foundation Community-- Angelus Plaza. ISESI made a donation to the auction that would help Angelus Plaza expand and develop their multicultural arts programs for seniors. The Senior Activity Center at Angelus Plaza offers a multitude of programs to serve the needs of the growing senior population in Los Angeles.
On September 28, some ISESI board members attended the Harmony Festival Ball hosted by City of Monterey Park Community Relations Commission. The theme of the festival was to promote harmony and celebrate diversity among the people in San Gabriel Valley.
On October 5, ISESI board members and friends attended the OCA-Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s 16th Annual Image Awards. OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.
ISESI hosted its 4th Annual Fundraising and Award Dinner on Friday, October 26, 2007. Four outstanding community leaders and organizations were honored at the dinner for their dedication and contribution to the people residing in San Gabriel Valley. (more info)
In the months ahead, we at ISESI will continue to connect and collaborate with other agencies and community-based organizations to produce workshops, conferences and forums that further our mission and goals.
|
