Celia Gurney

GEOG 331 Quiz Section

2-10-11
Exercise #2

History and Mission of the Chinese Information and Service Center

The Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) is located in Seattles
International District, about one block from Uwajimaya. CISC fills a societal need
for assistance to Chinese and other Asian immigrants. The organization has
several programs that are geared toward the elderly, families, and children, as
well as programs for more specific groups, such as crime victims. It provides
employment counseling, a senior day care center, technology training, and an
after school tutoring program for elementary school kids, among other things.
There is another non-profit organization that fulfills a similar role in the
community; that organization is Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS),
located on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Although some of the individual services
provided by CISC and ACRS may be available through federal, state or for-profit
organizations, there does not seem to be a government or for-profit organization
that does exactly what CISC does.
CISC gets most of its funding from the city, state, federal government, and
United Way of King County, as well as from corporate and private donors. The
organization also puts on an auction called the Friendship Dinner and hosts
private events for specific donors throughout the year.
The organizations mission, posted on its website, reads Bridging
cultures, communities and generations; creating opportunities for Chinese
immigrants and their families to succeed. CISC began in the 1972 with a small
team of part-time volunteers who were committed to helping elderly members of
the Asian community. Over time, it became clear that there was a need for
assistance to Asian families and youth as well, so CISCs programs expanded to
include those groups.
We interviewed Jennifer Jan, the volunteer coordinator for the Ren Ren
Young Explorers after-school youth program.
We teach the students how to behave socially in the dominant society as
well as at home, and we help build confidence. We teach them how to be
respectful and appreciate their culture, she said. It is cool to know two
languages.
Jennifers job doesnt end when the kids go home at 5:30. She works
closely with the parents, even accompanying some of them to parent-teacher
conferences so that they will have somebody to translate and to help guide them
through the process.
Although it can sometimes be difficult to find consistent, productive
volunteers and to deal with kids behavior issues, Jennifer says she enjoys
having the freedom to be creative with the program.
Right now I have the best group of kids, she said. My job has been
very satisfying and I love it.