WHAT’S NEW ON THE SCENE
WHAT’S NEW ON THE SCENE
by GERRYE WONG AUGUST 11, 2023
Kudos to Jon Yee, past president of CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE PENINSULA for its generous donation of $2000 to the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project. During a visit to its CHINESE AMERICAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM in San Jose recently, Jon presented the check to Board members Liz Chew and Edith Gong. For over 55 years CCCP promoted the understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture and provided services to the community. Its past activities and events included Kung Fu Expo, Chinese Little Olympics (1972-1981), Saturday Senior Lunch (1972-2012) CCCP Lion Dancers/Young Lion Dancers (1969-2017), served food for the Palo Alto Seniors New Years Eve Bash, social programs at Veterans Hospital, Chinese culture and education at schools and senor centers, participation in the San Francisco Chinese New Years Parade and many many more throughout its 55 year history. As Jon Yee expressed in his presentation, many of his CCCP members also support the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project and its museum, so their legacy of promoting Chinese culture and understanding will live on. We salute Yee and his newly disbanded organization for its 55 years of community service to the South Bay community.
NEW SCULPTURE ADDS TO HISTORY OF JAPANTOWN’S HEINLENVILLE PARK
“Sheltering Wing,” an 18-foot tall stainless steel sculpture created by Stoller Studio, was installed at Heinlenville Park, which is under construction in San Jose’s historic Japantown district, on Friday, July 21, 2023. As Sal Pazarro reported in his San Jose Mercury News column, “There’s a new landmark in San Jose’s Japantown neighborhood in the form of an 18-foot-high stainless steel sculpture called “Sheltering Wing.” The gleaming metal artwork was installed July 21 at Heinlenville Park, which is still under construction.”
His article continued, “Artist Roger White Stoller of Stoller Studio in Portola Valley said the piece is about Asian positivity and is also a nod to John Heinlen, the businessman who leased property to Chinese immigrants who were burned out of the previous Chinatown in downtown San Jose in the 1880s. Heinlenville, which was on the site of today’s Japantown, was a hub of Chinese cultural activities in the city for the next five decades, centered around the Ng Shing Gung temple.”
According to Japantown leaders, the opening date for the park has not been set, but until then, the piece is visible from North Sixth Street between Jackson and Taylor streets if you’re in the area.
GUM MOON FUNDRAISING LUNCH
Gum Moon Women’s Residence together with the Asian Women Resource Center announces its highly anticipated fundraising annual luncheon will be happening on September 16, Saturday at the historic Far East Café in San Francisco’s Chinatown. As Executive Director Gloria Tan announced, “Our event is dedicated to celebrating achievements, recognizing community service and fostering unity.”
Caption: AWRC children at play Gum Moon Board Members and supporters, including SF Mayor London Breed at past Fundraising Event
Emcees for the luncheon will be the charismatic duo, Doris Grover and Jan Yanehiro, former TV reporter. Always a delight to the audience, the Asian Women’s Resource Center children from Chinatown will showcase their musical talents followed by talented artist, Nina Lim delivering a performance promising to captivate the Gum Moon supporters.
Traditionally highlighting women, this year’s 2023 honorees personify the event’s theme of Women Making a Difference. The three honorees for the gala annual event are the following:
2023 Carol Lee Award will be presented to Katherine Kim in recognition for her outstanding achievements and dedication to service, advocacy and community engagement.
2023 Outstanding Community Service Award will be presented to Gerrye Wong, in acknowledgement of her selfless dedication to making a positive impact in the community through her work with Asian historical and service organizations.
2023 Outstanding Asian Woman Award will be presented to Mona Lisa Yuchengco for her exceptional accomplishments and trailblazing spirit.
Gum Moon’s remarkable 150-year journey began in the 1880s in San Francisco’s Chinatown, rescuing Asian women from trafficking. As Tan told us, “Amid challenges like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and the 1906 earthquake, it evolved into Gum Moon, offering shelter, education and support to the Chinatown citizens in San Francisco.”
In the 1980s, Gum Moon transformed and expanded into the Asian Women’s Resource Center (AWRC), launching ESL classes and Employment and Referral programs. In 1990, Gum Moon began its first parent-child development programs with just 10 children and now serves more than one thousand families. In the early 2000s AWRC expanded into the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods of San Francisco as Asian Family Support Center.
Of course, to be able to continue its service to the community and its families, fundraising is always a key point for future plans. As such, Gloria Tan extends an invitation on behalf of the group’s Board of Directors and staff to invite everyone to come to this annual benefit event. As she reminds us, “All attendance and participation will not only contribute to a meaningful cause but also be part of an unforgettable celebration of achievement and community spirit.
For information, visit https://www.gummoon.org or contact gummoon@gummoon.org; 415 421 8827
