CCSC's October Update

11 minutes ago

6 min read

Collage of smiling community groups at Charity Cultural Services Center, including a waving crowd and cooking class scenes.

September was full of reasons to celebrate at CCSC. Our 43rd Annual Gala was a wonderful evening at Far East Cafe, bringing together students, supporters, community partners, honorees and friends for great food, entertainment and celebration. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the night such a success.

We also had plenty of other highlights in September. UPS volunteers joined our students for interview practice, seniors celebrated the Autumn Moon Festival with a mooncake giveaway and anti-scam education from SFPD, and the Chinese Outreach Law Student Association shared practical information about workers’ rights and employment law. We also welcomed the Cameron House Board for another hands-on udon-making class.

Our fall training season is now underway, with new bartending and culinary classes in session and Chinese Cooking starting soon. October is already shaping up to be another busy month with classes, workshops and community events ahead. Read on to see what’s happening at CCSC!

Thank You for Attending Our Gala!

Group of awardees posing onstage at Charity Cultural Services Center gala under banner celebrating 43 years in San Francisco.

What a night! Thank you to everyone who came to our 43rd Annual Gala and celebrated with us. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food, wonderful performances and the chance to spend the evening together. A special thank you to our distinguished guests, honorees and entertainers for being part of it. See Sing Tao's coverage of the event (in Chinese) here and more photos on our Facebook here.

Group of award recipients and guests on stage at Charity Cultural Services Center gala, holding certificates under 43rd anniversary banner.

Smiling recipients hold certificates on a gala stage beneath a CCSC banner: Celebrating 43 Years of Empowering San Francisco.

Senior Mooncake Giveaway and Anti-Scam Education

Collage of seniors and police at a community event, posing with bright blue scam-prevention bags, plus a street portrait.

Charity Cultural Services Center joined the California Friends of the Tenants Caucus, SFPD and a representative from Assemblymember Matt Haney’s office to help seniors learn how to recognize and protect themselves from common scams. In celebration of the Autumn Moon Festival, attendees also received mooncakes and take-home bags with information on what to do if someone approaches them with a blessing scam or other suspicious request. Thank you to our partners for helping CCSC keep seniors informed, connected and safe.

Udon-making Class

Collage of smiling people making noodles in a kitchen classroom, with flour-dusted tables, bowls, aprons, and recipe sheets.

The Cameron House Board had a great time bonding and learning traditional Japanese udon making at the Charity Cultural Services Center kitchen this past weekend! Did you know that we do more than just workforce development? We also cater private events and hosting special bonding events for organizations who are looking for something interesting to do with their staff or boards! If you are looking for hosting something special for your organization, please email events@sfccsc.org.

UPS Mock Interviews

Collage of community and workplace gatherings: groups posing, two people talking, a handshake, and a smiling team in office settings.

We’re so grateful that UPS came to help Charity Cultural Services Center culinary and bartending students get better at their interview skills. Thank you again, UPS and Donaldina Cameron House for your coordination and support!

COLSA Worker's Rights Workshop

Audience watches a workplace presentation in a classroom; speakers stand by a screen showing proper overtime rules and Chinese text.

On the morning of the Autumn Moon Festival, the Chinese Outreach Law Student Association (COLSA) joined us at CCSC to give a presentation on workers’ rights and employment law. The session provided community members with helpful information about workplace protections, employee rights and resources available to workers.

Community Outreach

Collage of a lively Chinese cultural fair with booth displays, traditional dress, dragon dance, and indoor vendor tables.

Community events give CCSC a chance to connect directly with people, share information about our programs and resources, and reach those who may benefit from our services. They also help us build relationships with local organizations, learn more about community needs and identify new opportunities to work together. In October, we’re looking forward to taking part in the following events. Stop by and say hello!

10/10 - 11-3 pm - Fleet Week Family Day, Indian Basin Waterfront Park, 900 Innes Ave

10/17 - 11-4 pm - 14th Annual D10 Healthfest, Bayview in Motion, SECC, 1550 Evans Ave

10/22 - 10-2 pm - MEGA Citywide Job Fair, The Mint, 88 5th Street

10/24 - 11-2 pm - Chinatown Community Resource Fair, Willy Woo Woo, 830 Sacramento

Need an Event Space?

Four decorated lounge spaces with tables, orange chairs, benches, plants, and fall garlands; one banner says THANKS.

Host your next event in our newly renovated Chinatown space. Our building now features a modern, flexible venue available for rental, with a small kitchen, bathroom, open gathering area and a separate room for office use or small-group activities. With fresh updates and a welcoming atmosphere, the space is ideal for meetings, workshops, receptions and community events of about 40 people. Catering is also available. For rental details and availability, please email events@sfccsc.org .

CityBuild Construction Career Advancement & Retention (CCAR)

CCAR Alumni Gathering

Group of people posing at a Charity Cultural Services Center event, with a CCAR Alumni 2026 banner and a WELCOME screen behind them.

From our newest graduates in Cycle 44 to a graduate from Cycle 2, we had alumni from across the years in the room -- a great reminder that once you’re part of CityBuild, you’re always part of the community. Three raffle winners also received a special prize: CityBuild covered their union dues for the entire year! Congrats to our winners.

Employment Network Services

CityBuild poster for union construction work help, showing two workers, dates, times, 801 Turk St, San Francisco.

CityBuild Employment Network Services (ENS) is open at 801 Turk Street from 10 AM to 12 PM every Tuesday to support construction workers in career support and help finding open positions in construction.

Youth Programs

Support PK-5 Tutoring's GoFundMe!

Children and two adults sit at tables in a classroom, reading papers and talking during a group activity.

CCSC’s PK–5 Tutoring Program supports low-income and immigrant children in SF with bilingual tutoring. Our youth admin team, who are a team of passionate high school students looking to make an impact in youth literacy have put together this fundraiser for our tutoring program. There is a significant need for this program in San Francisco; less than one-third of third grade English learners are reading at grade level (The Frisc, March 2023). Every $500 funds a full year of support for a student like Adam, an ESL learner who gained confidence and found his voice through the program. Read more about him and donate here.

Culinary & Hospitality Programs

Chinese Cooking Class Starts Soon

Chefs in white coats and black caps gather in a commercial kitchen as one mixes a salad, others watch and take notes.

Most of our classes in cooking, bartending/barista and hospitality have already started, but we are still recruiting students for our Chinese cooking class (taught in Chinese). If you or someone you know wants to sign up, we are starting new classes very soon. No prior industry experience is necessary. Get more information by email: culinary@sfccsc.org.

New Bartending Instructor

Smiling man in a gray suit and black tie gives two thumbs up against a plain light wall.

We’re excited to welcome Reggie Buenfil Cab as CCSC’s new Bartending Instructor. With more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Reggie brings extensive knowledge of craft cocktails, beverage development, bar operations and service. He has worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs, in a James Beard Award–winning restaurant and continues to stay active in San Francisco’s hospitality scene.

Reggie is also helping promote a special dinner at El Jacal Restaurant on October 23 at 5:00 p.m. featuring a well-known food reviewer. The event will be held at 800 Cortland Avenue in San Francisco, and those reading this newsletter will get 35% off. Guests can enjoy dinner while supporting a local restaurant and spending an evening with the community.

Community Announcements

Funding Your Business

Asian, Inc. and Cathay Bank will present a free small business workshop, Funding Your Business: Understanding SBA Loans, on Friday, October 16 from 1:00–2:30 p.m. at CCSC, 735 Commercial Street. The workshop will cover the basics of SBA loans, who may qualify, application requirements and tips for preparing a strong application. The event is open to small business owners, entrepreneurs and community members. RSVP HERE.

Plate by Plate Tasting Benefit

Join Charity Cultural Services Center at Plate by Plate for an extraordinary evening at the annual tasting benefit, Plate by Plate, hosted by Project by Project. The evening showcases over 40 well-renowned local restaurants and beverage partners from across the Bay Area. Enjoy gourmet cuisine, live music, and be inspired by impactful stories to foster meaningful growth and drive resilience within AAPI neighborhoods and small businesses. Purchase tickets at www.platebyplate.org/san-francisco. Use the discount code PBP15 for $15 off each ticket, exclusive to the CCSC community.

Proceeds from Plate by Plate support Charity Cultural Services Center's initiatives and education programs. For event questions, please email info.sf@projectbyproject.org.

D10 Health Fest: Bayview in Motion

Poster for The 14th Annual District 10 Health Fest, Bayview in Motion, with dates, activities, QR code, and logos.

The 14th Annual District 10 Health Fest: Bayview in Motion will take place on Saturday, October 17 from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Southeast Community Center. This free community celebration will feature health screenings, wellness activities, cultural performances, family-friendly fitness, local vendors, free food and more. CCSC will also be there, so stop by and say hello while enjoying the day!

Peko's Melody Club

Kimochi Senior Center hosts Peko’s Melody Club every Tuesday from 1:30–3:00 p.m., offering seniors a fun opportunity to enjoy singing together in a welcoming group setting. Registration is required. For more information, contact Grace Hulleza at (415) 931-2294 ext. 125 or ghulleza@kimochi-inc.org.

Out Museum

OUT Museum 榮幸推出藝術家林斷山明（Dixon Ngai）最新個展《出走到彼岸》，由黃嘉瀛（Wong Ka Ying KY）策展。展覽現正展出至 2026 年 10 月 15 日，每逢星期四至星期六中午 12:00 至下午 4:30 開放，地址為 949 Clay St., San Francisco。

OUT Museum is pleased to present Depart to the other shore, a solo exhibition by Dixon Ngai, curated by Wong Ka Ying (KY). The exhibition is on view through October 15, 2026, with opening hours every Thursday through Saturday from 12:00–4:30 pm at OUT Museum, 949 Clay St., San Francisco.

Make a Contribution

Since 1983, we have helped thousands of youths, adults, and their families by giving them an opportunity to change their lives. We are empowering underserved and underprivileged communities to become self-sufficient through education, training, mentoring, case management, and job placement.

With your help, CCSC is able to continue to nurture and enrich the lives of the residents of San Francisco. Your generosity and support can make all the difference. Please donate today!