Interview with Emma Chan
By Tracy Liu
It is my pleasure to interview Emma Chan from the Charity Cultural Services Center about recent changes in the Chinese community and issues concerning teenagers. Emma, a hard working teacher and social worker, often works with teenagers in publishing monthly and annual periodicals. These free publications are educational, targeting teenage readers. The following is an English translation of the interview which was originally in Chinese. The interview dealt with the problems that teenagers currently faces in the San Francisco Chinatown community.
Q: What is your position at CCSC? How long have you been in this position?
A: Right now I am a Program Counselor, I have been in this position for one year.
Q: What interested you in taking this position?
A: This job is related to my college major.
Q: I know you are an immigrant. Can you tell me how long have you been in the USA? What problems did you have to face as a new immigrant?
A: I came here from Hong Kong as a foreign student, but now I am a California resident. I have been here for 6-7 years. In the beginning, the main problems were the language barrier, adjusting to a new environment, financial issues, etc.
Q: What are the main functions of CCSC? How does it serve the community?
A: CCSC has many different programs, and I am responsible for the Families In Transition program, which helps new immigrant families. We help families adjust to their new environments by providing youth tutoring programs and employment services. Newcomers have many different needs.
Q: Can you tell me the difference between today's Chinatown and the old one?
A: Actually, there is not much of a difference. I think the major difference is that there were less people couple years ago. Also, today's buildings are built with structural reinforcements.
Q: You work well with many teenagers, what are your secrets? What is your perspective on this generation?
A: To work with this generation, I need to know the latest trends, such as popular music etc. I think teenagers are more creative and independent, but they need more self-discipline and respect for their elders.
Q: What recent activities are coming up at CCSC?
A: We planned field trips to:
picnic at Golden Gate Park
visit
- the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Cliff House at Ocean Beach
- Fire Department
Q: How can teenagers join CCSC? What are the qualifications?
A: Every semester I promote our program at Newcomer High School, Galileo Academy of Science and Technology and Lincoln High School. A qualified applicant has to be a new immigrant and in need of help in English.
Q: Would you like to give teenagers some advice?
A: Don't drop out of school. If you have the will to learn, then attaining a college degree is not something hard to achieve.