Chinese-American Planning Council
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CPC Sustains Major Damage
First VIP Facebook Donor

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2010 CPC Annual Report  

 

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About Us

     Founded in 1965, the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC) is one of the largest nonprofit providers of educational, social, and community services for Asian Americans in the United States. It now serves over 8,000 people daily through some 70 programs in 29 locations citywide. CPC's mission is to improve the quality of life of Chinese-Americans in New York City by providing access to services, skills, and resources toward the goal of economic self-sufficiency and integration into the American mainstream. 
 
CPC Central Office
150 Elizabeth Street
New York, New York 10012
(212) 941-0920
CPC Community Services Center Sustains Major Damage but Continues to Provide Services to the Community
CPC Community Service Flood 2

A fraction of the damage done to CPC's Workforce Development Office and Manhattan Youth Services

January 24, 2011, a water line breakage flooded Chinese-American Planning Council's Community Services Center at 165 Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side.  The Center suffered significant flooding and extensive equipment damage in the three story facility, which housed 8 CPC programs. All staff, along with some clients, evacuated successfully without injury.

 

Due to the widespread debilitation, the Center had to close immediately. "We cannot allow this disaster to deter us. We will find other offices and spaces to temporarily relocate our staff and programs so we may continue serving the community until we can move back into the Community Services Center. Suggestions for temporary space and other forms of assistance will be most welcomed so we can continue our work serving the community," said Ms. Ah-Yune. 

 

As of February 7th, CPC's Multi-Social Services (MSS), a key component within CPC's Community Services Center, has been temporarily relocated to a city-owned building on 115 Chrystie Street (between Broome Street and Grand Street).  Even though the press release of the temporary relocation was not released until the following afternoon, many clients found their way to the temporary location through words of mouth or calling CPC in advance. Many clients have told MSS staff that they were worried because they really need CPC's services and they did not know another place to go for help. On the first day of MSS's operation at its new temporary location they served 171 people, consistent with the number of people served daily previously in the regular location.  Due to space limitations, clients are advised to call in advance (212-431-7800) to obtain assisstance in applying for food stamps, housing, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, Medicaid and other entitlements and benefits.  

 

CPC's Community Services Center is a major provider of social services to the Chinese immigrant and Lower East Side communities. The Center, which opened three years ago after a relocation from the civic center area, houses CPC's community-based social service programs - including the Multi-Social Services Center, the Asian Family Services, the Asian Child Care Resource and Referral program, Early Intervention program, the HIV-AIDS Services, and Project C.O.P.E., which directs outreach to the Fujianese speaking population. In addition, CPC's Workforce Development Division offices, and a component of its Youth Services Division, are also located at the Community Services Center. Some programs have relocated to various CPC offices and offices of other community-based organizations.

 

Despite the widespread disruption, the following telephone numbers for the programs housed at the Community Services Division are being staffed, and phone calls for specific programs will be directed appropriately.

 

Community Services Main Line - 212-941-0030

HIV-AIDS Services Hotline - 646-613-8420

Multi Social Services Center - 212-431-7800

Workforce Development Division - 212-941-0041

CPC VIP Receives Its First Donation through Facebook
Richard Ho, the first Facebook donor

Richard Ho, the first VIP Facebook donor

Richard Ho shares his thoughts on why he donated to the Youth and Internship Program 

 

Three years ago, Richard Ho's elderly mother suffered a stroke. Both of his parents were in their eighties and knew very little English. Mr. Ho realizes that he needs a community organization's help to take care of his mother, and that was when he first came across CPC, interested in its bilingual home attendant services for his mother. Unfortunately, CPC was unable to provide its services to Mr. Ho's parents because they lived outside the service area.

 

"I realized how vital and crucial CPC is to families in similar situations," said Richard, now works at the US Environmental Protection Agency as a project manager overseeing and managing the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. "Elderly people or people with disabilities like my mother would not have to suffer if CPC had more money and resources to cover the entire five boroughs of New York City."

 

Mr. Ho's profound sense of connection with community service organizations has led him to donate to numerous nonprofit organizations and charities. He is also on the board of some of the nonprofits, and therefore he is especially familiar with the workings of and the financial difficulties currently facing all of the nonprofit organizations.

 

"There are so few non-profit organizations that service the Chinatown community that it would be shame and a great loss if it closed its doors," Mr. Ho commented. "[A non-profit organization like CPC] fills the void by proving social services and the needs of the community that the government does not provide."

 

"CPC's home attendant program is one example of the services that are sorely needed by the aging population," he continues. "Where else can elderly people with low English proficiency go for help in home care services?  It breaks my heart knowing that elderly people are in pain and suffering because they can't access these services."

 

Last December, Richard made a generous donation through Facebook to CPC's Volunteer and Internship Program (VIP), an integral program of the CPC that is facing severe fiscal pressure. This is the first donation that CPC has ever received through a social-networking website. Both Richard and his friends are regular users of Facebook. To Richard, Facebook is an effective way to reach out and urge a large number of people to support one's cause.

 

"Many people probably don't care about non-profits until they find that one day they need its services.  I wish that my story would influence people to make a contribution to CPC. If enough people contribute, even as little as $25 or $50, it would make a huge difference," said Richard.  "Donating through Facebook is easy and I can immediately tell all of my friends and encourage them to do the same." 

 

For more information regarding how to get involved or help the Volunteer and Internship Program (VIP), please email Christina Wong at cwong3@cpc-nyc.org or call 212-941-0920 x155. You may also watch the VIP video on Youtube and join our Facebook Cause Page.