January Update: Happy New Year from CCSC!
- Charity Cultural Services Center (CCSC)
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
As we head into the new year, we’re feeling grateful and energized here at CCSC. December was full of meaningful moments, including building and giving out Christmas trees that brought joy to families across San Francisco. We’re also excited to welcome a new board member and board president. We can't wait to continue our work of helping people in the wonderful city of San Francisco. Happy New Year, and read about what we did in December below.
Latest Updates
New Board President
Let's welcome our new board president, Francis Lee! He is a regional Vice President of Cathay Bank. He has two school age children going to SF public schools and is passionate about serving the AAPI community. Having been an immigrant himself, he is especially interested in helping new immigrant communities to overcome hardship and employment barriers. Francis currently on multiple boards of nonprofit organizations. He brings expertise in finance to benefit the organizations he serves.
Annual Christmas Tree Giveaway
It's our annual Christmas tradition to work with the Guardsmen & other community organizations every year to assemble and give away Christmas trees to people who may not be able to get one otherwise. Every year our CityBuild graduates join in to volunteer. Thank you for another great Christmas tree giveaway!
New Board Member
We are excited to announce a new board member - Aaron Yen. Aaron Yen is a civic strategist and community builder with over 15 years of experience leading equity, resilience and engagement efforts across city and community systems. As a proud son of immigrant parents and a native San Franciscan, Aaron brings a lifelong passion for bridging communities and fostering belonging to his new role on CCSC’s Board of Directors. We are excited to welcome Aaron’s leadership, vision and community spirit to the CCSC family as we continue our mission of empowering immigrant families and strengthening community resilience.
CCSC Holiday Party
We wrapped up the year by coming together for our annual holiday party, filled with good food, laughter, and connection. Staff and board shared a potluck featuring favorite dishes, followed by a lively white elephant gift exchange that brought plenty of smiles. It was a simple but meaningful way to celebrate the season.
OpenAI Foundation Grant
We’re excited to share that CCSC has been selected as a grantee of the People’s-First AI Fund with OpenAI Foundation. This support will help us explore how technology can amplify community voices, reduce language barriers, and create more inclusive pathways for belonging.
Christmas Angels
It was a joy to attend the Restorative Justice Christmas Angels event at 1111 Gough Street at the St. Mary's Cathedral to give away toys to families. This year, Charity Cultural Services Center also donated a Christmas tree and Christmas wreath as donations for their raffle. Plus, a children's choir sang and the grinch made an appearance!
Nor Cal Carpenters Union
Charity Cultural Services Center at the Nor Cal Carpenters Union 62nd Moose Feed. Great people, great food, great work!
Cameron House NextGen
We attended the AAPI Volunteer Mixer "Help & Hang" at Cameron House NextGen on Tuesday night at 920 Sacramento St. It was great to connect with other community-based organizations such as Asian Inc., AAPI Empower Hour, Civic Joy Fund, Florence Fang Community Farm, APA Family Support Services, Dear Community and others.
Christmas Cards for a Cause
We participated in the Restorative Justice event with other volunteers to help write Christmas cards for incarcerated individuals. We were glad to help bring joy, peace, happiness and love during the Christmas Season.
Community Outreach
Building meaningful community connections is central to CCSC’s mission. Through our outreach efforts, we share our programs and services while strengthening long-term partnerships with local organizations.
Come see us this month at the following events:
Jan 20 4-5 PM & Jan 22 9-10 AM, SFDPH Community Meeting, Address TBD
Jan 30, 9-3, SF City & County Job Fair, Palega Park
City College in Chinatown
We did outreach at City College of San Francisco in Chinatown to tell people about our culinary and hospitality training programs. Thanks for having us, CCSF!
Winter Wonderland
On Sunday, December 7, 2025, we did outreach at the 2025 Winter Wonderland in Chinatown to celebrate Christmas and support low-income families. The event brought holiday joy through activities like photos with Santa, cultural performances, lion dances, bounce houses, and food and drinks shared with the community.
Need an Event Space?
Host your next event in our newly renovated space in Chinatown! Our building now offers a modern, flexible area available for event rental. The space includes a small kitchen, bathroom, open gathering area and a separate room that can be used as an office or for small-group activities. Recently updated with fresh finishes and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s well-suited for meetings, workshops, receptions and community events of around 40 people. To learn more about rental details and availability, please email us at events@sfccsc.org.
CityBuild Construction Program
Learn Construction with CityBuild
If you or someone you know is looking for a career in the construction industry, get in touch with us! Learn more about CityBuild here and contact us at info@sfccsc.org or fill out this interest form.
Youth Programs
Support PK-5 Tutoring's GoFundMe!
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.
Family in Transition (FIT)
Family in Transition (FIT) is a cultural and identity program primarily serving AAPI students, but open to all high school students in San Francisco. Through monthly workshops and volunteer opportunities, participants build confidence, explore different cultures and strengthen their college and career readiness. The program supports students in developing a stronger sense of identity and connection to their community.
Students who are interested in the program can apply here.
Culinary & Hospitality Programs
Wine Classes
Are you curious about wine and want to learn in a relaxed, friendly setting? Charity Cultural Services Center (CCSC) is offering a 10-week Wine Class for all levels at a reasonable price, with weekly 2-hour classes taught in Chinese by Napa Valley winemaker Ivonne Chu. The class begins at the end of January 2026 and meets every Thursday from 3:00–5:00 PM at CCSC, 747 Commercial Street in San Francisco. Participants will learn about wine types and regions, tasting techniques, and how to better appreciate wine. The total fee is $500, with discounts available for those enrolled in CCSC vocational training programs. To register, scan the QR code on the flyer or call (415) 989-3275 or (415) 466-8074. Space is limited.
Classes Open for Enrollment
Our classes in cooking, bartending/barista and hospitality are open for enrollment! No prior industry experience is necessary. Get more information on our job training and placement programs in the information flyer below. If you know someone who is interested in signing up, please let us know by replying via email to this newsletter.
Community Announcements
Chinatown YMCA Open House
The Chinatown YMCA is hosting an Open House on January 10th, and it’s a great chance to check out everything they offer. Stop by to try the Y for free, meet their camp and fitness teams, enjoy healthy snacks and giveaways, and learn about membership options. Get more info here.
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!
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