CHINESE NEWCOMERS SERVICE CENTER

COLLABORATIONS
"...CNSC was chosen by the State Department of Community Service Development
to act as the lead agency...in assisting new immigrants..."

Like many other organizations dedicated to serving the community, CNSC often lets its own needs wait while we attend to the needs of our clients. Sometimes, however, attention to our facilities can enhance our service, especially when it comes to managing data. National service volunteers Tina Kraus and Thomas Jelen have been working with CNSC to assess its technology and computer needs. They represent Team Tech, a collaborative effort between Americorps/VISTA, the United Way of America, and IBM. In the Bay Area, Team Tech joined the Northern California Council for the Community to carry out their mission of helping nonprofit agencies develop and maintain a technology plan that will enhance their delivery of services. IBM provides training and support for the Team Tech volunteers. Tina and Thomas were able to facilitate the donation of two new IBM computers to CNSC!

TeamTech is collaborating with San Francisco State University College of Extended Learning Multimedia Studies Program to provide services to its partner agencies. CNSC is a candidate non-profit for a program in which a team of students will create a commercial quality, multi-media, and interactive web site. Content is currently being developed by CNSC. The web site alone will take CNSC light-years ahead in terms of service delivery by: - Supplementing and expanding the range of CNSC services - Linking locals and newcomers outside of the Bay Area to a wide resource network - Educating Chinese around the globe on challenges they may face as new immigrants - Enhancing collaboration with other agencies, and sharing innovative practices - Creating a multi-lingual "bridge" between English and Chinese-speaking communities Many thanks to Ms. Leslie Todd, Operations Manager of the Multimedia Studies Program at SFSU Extension, and Mr. Craig Abaya, Internet Intensive Coordinator, for their invaluable input and support. We are also grateful to our brilliant volunteers Alan Yee, Benjamin Yee, and Yat-Ping Tong who have given so much time to the web site project.

SFSU Internships Dr. Gerald Eisman, the Director of the San Francisco State University Community Service Learning Center, has identified several distinct semester-long Student Internships that might fit the goals of CNSC. Subjects include US Government, Immigration and Naturalization of Elders, Instructional Technology, Immigrant Literacy, and Asian American Studies. Students benefit from a hands-on immersion in the chosen field. CNSC benefits from a focused and motivated volunteer workforce. The entire city benefits from a greater linking of educational institutions and community involvement.

CNSC, through TeamTech's generous donation of fourteen new IBM computers, has already expanded its computer training service. A new emphasis on Internet skills will assist newcomers in finding services on CNSC's web-site,associated links, or any other service resources. Furthermore, the availability of dedicated hardware at the Center makes it possible for newcomers to log on and get connected.

One of the most difficult aspects of being a newcomer is finding access to healthcare services. But now there's a pain-free remedy. Operation Access is a network of hospitals and volunteer medical professionals seeking to improve the quality of life for individuals without health insurance. They provide free surgery and outpatient specialty services in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Chinese community has previously under-utilized these available services. CNSC is delighted to assist Operation Access in doing outreach to the Chinese-speaking community. We hope to alleviate fears and make the application process as easy as possible.

CNSC is collaborating with HELPLINK to improve information and referral services to the Chinese-speaking community. When problems arise, many of us initially do not know where to turn to get help. HELPLINK's mission is to provide information about nonprofit health and human care services in the Bay Area, thereby educating the individual about his or her options for action. They helped CNSC install a computer database of San Francisco resources. HELPLINK offers a free confidential helpline. Call them at (415) 772-4357. Those who live outside of San Francisco can reach them at (800) 273-6222. This is "Your Link to Community Services."

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