Chinatown: Organizations GCCA

The Greater Chinatown Community Association (GCCA) is a non-profit organization that provides unique individualized program services to Chinese immigrants, low income people, and seniors as a way of helping them apply for social assistance like housing, tax returns, emergency assistance, medical assistance, etc. It is conveniently located at the heart of Chinatown where the Chinatown population readily has access to its services. Over time, its functions have changed from offering very limited services to a narrow population to offering broader services to a larger population. It strives to combat problems of the economically disadvantaged and underserved population in Chinatown. The current strong leadership of GCCA’s executive director, Kendra N. Lee (who pursues this goal passionately), brings hope for the future of this organization and Chinatown as a whole.

Entrance to the GCCA

GCCA was established on July 1, 1972 in response to the critical need for services and community to the new large wave of Chinese immigrants coming to the US due to the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act. Father Louis Tchang, a priest at the Church of the Transfiguration in Chinatown, along with the consent of local pastors, sisters, and community members, drew a proposal for a Chinese Apostolate Office and Chinese community center. The federal government funded this new organization. Located at the heart of Chinatown, the early GCCA enabled its staff to directly engage with the local Chinatown community. Initially, GCCA assisted the Chinese elderly: it aided them in problems associated with social security, Medicare, housing information, referrals, and personal assistance; it also acted as a place where the elderly could socialize and plan group activities anytime they wanted. Over time, GCCA evolved to offer more services to a broader Chinese population. This new population primarily included the elderly, immigrants, and lower-income adults; most of the clients were immigrants from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and immigrants of Chinese origin from Southeast Asian countries. GCCA provides 4 main services to this disadvantaged population: 1) consultation and aid provides information, referrals, applications, and advocacy to help its clients obtain public benefits and social services; medical and healthcare services provide free acupuncture/massage therapy and tai-chi exercise sessions at Columbus Park; recreational and cultural activities provide special events during the Chinese New Year, Senior Citizen Recognition Month, Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas, etc.; and, adult education services that teach the English language , offers civics/government classes to help participants prepare for the U.S. citizenship interview, and provides computer training courses.

Kendra N. Lee (right) at work

An interview with GCCA’s executive director, Kendra N. Lee, provided further insight regarding program goals, incentives, and functions. Lee began working for GCCA 6 months ago and stated that the organization’s vision remains the same since the time of its establishment. Success in client service hasn’t decline over the past few years because roughly 1000 people are serviced per year. Under Lee, GCCA is starting to form partnerships; these partnerships were formed or strengthened with Transfiguration Church, the Hamilton Madison House, the Chinese Planning Council, Chinatown Manpower, and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Under Lee, the organization is trying to communicate their vision to other organizations within Chinatown and inform politicians of their work. The influence of the GCCA only continues to develop as news of its services, productivity, and reputable members spread by word of mouth between clients and the general Chinatown population.