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My Turnby Maileen Hamto |
 |
From The Asian Reporter, V18, #24 (June 17, 2008), page 6.
Staying strong at 25
From its beginning as a social service center for Chinese immigrants 25 years ago, the Asian Health & Service Center (AHSC) has expanded its scope to offer health and wellness services and resources for diverse Asian communities. The center recently opened its new, larger facility, and is gearing up for a 25-year anniversary celebration in the fall. Health seminars, Chinese medicine, behavioral and mental-health programs, and a host of senior social groups are currently available to more than 1,500 members of the community.
Revisiting the center’s evolution with founder Dr. Erik Szeto reveals an organization that responds to the changing needs of a growing Asian-American community in the Portland area. In 1983, the center opened its doors to serve the needs of a growing yet underserved population of Chinese immigrants. Szeto, a family physician, saw how cultural and linguistic issues worked as barriers to access to community services and support for Chinese women and seniors.
"Back then, assistance for immigrants — especially women, the elderly, and those with mental-health issues — was practically nonexistent," Szeto notes.
At the time, mental-health services for the Indo-Chinese community were provided only to refugees. Programs were not tailored to immigrants. "The perception was that Asians have no problems. We take care of ourselves. We’re quiet and don’t cause a lot of trouble. People would ask me: ‘Is there enough need in the community for a center?’"
In the early 80s, there was a huge need for social support for immigrant women from Asia who experienced domestic violence. For first-generation Chinese couples, the stress of adapting to a new life in the United States often caused marital conflicts. When family problems erupted, many immigrant women didn’t have a place to turn to for support.
Senior issues were another important focus. "Imagine coming to live in a different country in your 60s or 70s. Often, the elderly come here to take care of their grandchildren," says Szeto. "They don’t speak the language. Outside of their home, there’s no other place to go. Many senior immigrants suffer from isolation and loneliness."
Szeto led a community group that advocated for a Chinese social service center. Public and private partners came on board. Supporters of the idea pounded the pavement to raise awareness about issues in providing culturally competent mental-health and other services to the community.
When it first opened, AHSC was among a handful of culturally specific service organizations in the area. Then as now, the challenges of growing a nonprofit agency are immense, says Szeto. "Financial constraints caused us a few times to almost close our doors. But we managed to keep on top."
Over the years, the center tweaked and refined social service offerings to include programs for Asians from various ethnic backgrounds. "We’ve always wanted to expand our services for the benefit of the entire Asian community," says Szeto. "It was hard, because we were limited by financial and other resources."
"As you know, some people think Asians are all the same. But we’re not," says Szeto. Partnerships proved vital in the effort to establish programs that met the needs of different groups, such as Koreans and Vietnamese. To this day, the center is the only mental-health service center in the state to offer services specific to Chinese and Korean immigrants.
Today, the breadth of program offerings shows how the center listens to the needs of the community. Diabetes and breast cancer survivorship groups are offered. Classes for English learners emphasize practical, conversational English used for daily activities, such as filling out forms, returning merchandise, or scheduling appointments. Young children enrolled in Yu-Miao Preschool learn the Mandarin language and about Chinese culture. Health screenings are offered by volunteer medical providers at the center’s annual health fair.
"I’m proud of what the center has accomplished over the years," says Szeto. "Twenty-five years in operation, and we continue to bring awareness to the general public about the needs of the Asian community. We have needs, and we deserve help."
To learn more about AHSC, visit <www.ahscpdx.org>.