Partnering Citywide · Building Legacy
Editor’s Note:
As the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association and Irvine Chinese School near their 50th anniversary, a special editorial team is collecting reflections from former presidents and principals to preserve this half-century journey.
Cultural Express launches the “Brilliant Fifty” series, featuring selected essays that illuminate the people and stories that shaped our community.
Our family moved to Irvine in 1976 after hearing about University Park Montessori Preschool and the Irvine Chinese School.
We hoped our American-born children would have a proper early-childhood environment, opportunities to learn Chinese, and a chance to make friends within the Chinese community.
I still vividly remember the surprise and delight I felt when I received a call from Julie Chin of the Chinese School Parents’ Association inviting me to join.
Stepping Forward · Bonds Taking Root
Before long, I was elected as a parent representative. Since I have always enjoyed sports, I gladly responded to Shih-Hou Chang's call to gather parents and children to form teams for a Los Angeles sports competition.
Events included high jump, running, tug-of-war, and more. We competed with great enthusiasm, had a wonderful time, and returned with medals and deep friendships.
Soon after, I was elected as an SCCCA board member.
During the election in which Lester Chin became president, I was unexpectedly nominated as vice president—setting me on the path to becoming SCCCA president in 1988, almost before I knew what was happening.
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran during his earlier term with Susie Chu (left) at the Rancho Senior Center.
Taking Responsibility · Reaching Beyond
Once I became chair of the Board, I felt a responsibility to study SCCCA’s bylaws carefully.
Only then did I understand that beyond supporting the Chinese School, another mission of the Association was to promote Chinese culture and foster exchange and integration with the broader local community, organizations, and residents.
At first, I thought this would be easy. I decided to personally invite staff and seniors from the Rancho Senior Center to attend the Chinese School’s Lunar New Year celebration.
But after speaking with the activities director, I learned that many seniors faced challenges such as limited mobility, vision and hearing difficulties, and transportation issues.
Out of concern for safety and the risk of falling, they preferred to participate in activities within familiar, secure environments.
I reported this situation to the SCCCA board. After discussion, the board approved a $200 budget for me to host a Lunar New Year luncheon at the senior center.
And that was how the City of Irvine’s very first Lunar New Year celebration made its way into the Rancho Senior Center.
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Susie Chu（ right）initiated a Lunar New Year luncheon at the City of Irvine’s Rancho Senior Center to promote Chinese culture.
Caring Together · Evergreen Grows
In 1989, with SCCCA’s support, the Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association was established. Many of us were still working full-time at the time.
Our parents, then in their 60s to 80s, lived comfortably in our homes but struggled with loneliness.
They did not speak English, could not drive, and often told us how isolated they felt.
Ms. Phylis Hsia, who ran the tennis program at the Chinese School, shared the same concerns and fully supported my idea of creating an organization for our elders.
I asked her to write and post a notice on the Chinese School bulletin board inviting parents’ elderly family members to a luncheon.
At our very first gathering, 29 people attended—among them Chih-Hsiung Chao, Chung Fan, Meng-Hsiung Chu, Kuo-Ting Yu, Te-Shu Mu, Kuan-Yuan Tai and my mother Pei-Wen Wang.
We divided responsibilities and formed a board of directors. Since I was still too young to be a regular member, I was appointed Honorary President, responsible for external communication as well as serving as interpreter and driver for the seniors.
Wang Lan (center), author of Blue and Black, with Susie Chu and Vice President General Fan Zhong at an Irvine lecture.
Early on, we were blessed with a key supporter : George Searcy, Director of Community Services for the City of Irvine.
With his help, the Evergreen Senior Association was granted use of the spacious Rancho Senior Center, complete with a kitchen.
Membership quickly grew to over 200. In 1992, we filed for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, officially allowing us to use the senior center facilities.
According to studies conducted by the City at that time, Irvine’s senior population was projected to grow significantly by the year 2000. As a result, the City planned to build a second senior center.
Kaiser Permanente, the Irvine Senior Foundation, and the Evergreen Chinese Senior Association were invited to join the planning committee.
We actively participated in community hearings and City Council meetings, and I spoke on behalf of the Evergreen Association to support the construction of the Lakeview Senior Center.
With Mr. Raymond Fung expressing his support, the Evergreen Association became the first to pledge a $100,000 donation.
From left: Chih-Hsiung Chao, Jane Calhoun, Mya Sanders, Fan Zhong, and Susie Chu.
In addition to Mr. Fung, other Chinese community donors at the time included Mr. Chi-Hsiung Chao and Mr. Steeve Kay, whose names are all listed on the donor wall of the Lakeview Senior Center.
After the Lakeview Senior Center opened, the Evergreen Association worked with the center to launch numerous new classes, including English, citizenship, calligraphy, Chinese painting, folk dance fitness, and tai chi.
Over the years, this partnership became a model of cooperation between the Chinese community and the city, reflecting Irvine’s commitment to multicultural growth and inclusion.(Brilliant Fifty VIX)
Honorary President Susie Chu (fourth from right) and then–Irvine Mayor Sheridan (fifth from right) at the Lakeside Senior Center groundbreaking. (Photos courtesy of Susie Chu.)