Community Corner
One Million Dollar Congressional Grant to CCACC Health Center
Congratulations to CCACC Health center for receiving a million-dollar community development assistance fund from US congress
Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the CCACC Health Center of the Chinese Culture and Community Service center (CCACC) is committed to providing essential health and health-related services to low-income or uninsured Asian Americans. The CCACC Health Center has a professional healthcare team which provides comprehensive health services to more than 2000 uninsured and under-insured community members. Today, this Health Center become very well-known in the Asian American community in DMV area. However, its current space cannot keep up with its rapid development for service.
CCACC was grateful for the strong support from the US Congress with the one-million-dollar Community Project Fund approved in 2023, sponsored by Congressman David Trone and Senator Chris Van Hollen's office. This fund will be fully invested to expand its space and purchase necessary medical equipment to better serve underserved community members.
Renowned for One-Stop Healthcare services
The Pan Asian Volunteer Health Clinic (PAVHC), the predecessor of CCACC Health Center, established in 2003, has provided one-stop healthcare services for Montgomery County residents. In response to service needs, the PAVHC was expanded into CCACC Health Center in 2021. Services include primary care, rehabilitation, mental health and chronic disease management, and preventive services. It also provides community health projects, such as the STOP B and Mental Health 360. Especially, during the pandemic, it provided free COVID-19 testing and vaccination to over 10,000 underserved county residents.
CCACC and its seven divisions including the CCACC Health Center are renowned for their quality services to the community, they need more supports to extend services to more community members.
The Three Senators & Congressman All Commended and encouraged CCACC
On May 1, 2023, at 3:45 pm, Congressman David Trone, along with Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, visited the CCACC Art Gallery to conduct a million-dollar check presentation ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by Ms. Kate Lu, CCACC Health Center Director.
Ms. Rita Lewi, CCACC Executive Director, delivered a welcome speech and stated that the CCACC's development could not be achieved without the long-term support and encouragement of the government and the community. She expressed her deep gratitude for the funding received.
Senator Ben Cardin gave a remark, expressing his gratitude for having an organization like CCACC to serve the Asian American community, which has undertaken many jobs that benefit people. He said, in America, not everyone can have access to high-quality medical services, but CCACC Health Center have done an excellent job in filling this gap.
Senator Chris Van Hollen expressed his gratitude to all staff and volunteers of CCACC for their contributions to the community, and he also thanked CCACC Health Center for their unwavering assistance to the government, care of Asian immigrants and low-income uninsured populations, and provision of preventive services. He pointed out that "Healthcare Services" is the foremost issue that needs to be addressed.
Congressman David Trone said that since the outbreak of the pandemic, there has been an increasing number of hate crimes against Asians, and racial discrimination has become a social problem in the US. Therefore, he hopes to support the Asian community in all aspects of life, healthcare and education through funding assistance to CCACC, making our community a better place.
Finally, the three guests, Ms. Rita Lewi, Ms. Kate Lu and attendees took a group photo. CCACC once again sincerely thanks everyone for their strong support!
(Article by CCACC; Photographer: Ned Li)
