Provider Spotlight: Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc. (CCACC)

October 29, 2019


We recently caught up with the CCACC to learn more about their organization. They will soon be celebrating 37 years of service to their community. Here is what Felicia Tchen, Administrative Specialist & Education Division Assistant shared with us:

Established in 1982 as an organization of local community activities, the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Inc. (CCACC) has evolved into a major information and services provider of community services for Chinese Americans in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. Its mission is to enrich families through educational, cultural, health, and social service programs, and to promote mutual understanding, awareness, and appreciation of Chinese and American cultures and heritages. CCACC was founded and run by volunteers, and remains an organization largely composed of volunteers today.

The CCACC Adult ESOL program was established in 1988 as a vital tool for integrating non-English speaking residents into the community, especially Chinese immigrants looking to better adapt to their new life in the U.S. The program is especially important to our organization, as nearly all of the staff and volunteers are 1st generation U.S. citizens themselves. We conduct citizenship application workshops in collaboration with the US Citizenship Immigration Service and provide citizenship preparation classes to prepare applicants for the interview process, in addition to conducting career training seminars and workshops to help immigrants seeking to apply for employment. Over the years, the program has grown from one single class to over 20 classes a year today.

Almost 100% of the learners enrolled in our ESOL program are Chinese. We have both males and females (with more females than males) and their ages range from 22 to 75. All of the students come from China, with a handful of them being new immigrants hoping to settle down in the country and get a job.

CCACC employs a vast array of programs to achieve its mission. Aside from the Adult ESOL program, we also run an After-School Enrichment program 5-days a week for elementary school children and operate CLAPS Chinese School on weekends for people of all ages seeking to learn Chinese. The Pan Asian Volunteer Health Clinic (PAVHC) helps low income residents receive medical and mental health care, regardless of insurance status, and free of language barriers. We also have an Adult Day Health Care Center for seniors, providing them transportation to the doctors, as well as the service of on-site nurses 7-days a week. That way, they can come socialize and participate in various activities throughout the week without worry. Our Evergreen Club provides opportunities for seniors to be active within the community, combating the sense of isolation that many of them face. Moreover, we have a Home Care program for those in need of assistance cooking, cleaning, and doing chores around the house. CCACC is also home to a variety of clubs and activities, with everything from arts and crafts, music, dance, martial arts, photography, sports...the list goes on.  Finally, our CCACC Art Gallery hosts the artwork of both local and international, Asian and Western artists throughout the year. There's something for everyone at CCACC - come pay us a visit and we'll show you around!

ZhengYun was in our citizenship preparation class. She was a very hardworking student but was a little shy and nervous about taking the test. However, she passed the test just a few months ago! She came back to share her experiences with the current citizenship class and answered many of their questions. She encourages all students taking the citizenship test not to be afraid to ask questions during the test, and to just do their best.

We are planning on organizing a potluck dinner around Christmas time with our ESOL students. Our students are all on different schedules, making it hard to get everyone together, but we would like to celebrate with our students outside of the classroom and thank them for all their hard work in trying to learn English to get more involved with the community.

Every year, we are always looking for native English-speakers to help with interviews during the preparation period prior to the citizenship exam. We greatly welcome any and all individuals interested in helping!

The CCACC is a great example of the spectrum of providers in our coalition. We partner with organizations that community members trust, that are culturally competent and connected to learner populations.

A picture of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's new Executive Director. He wears a navy-blue suit.

A Letter from MCAEL's New Executive Director

By Emma Starr • May 21, 2025
Dear MCAEL Community, It is such an honor to be joining you as MCAEL’s new Executive Director. With my many years of mission-driven work rooted in Montgomery County – and as an English language learner myself – I could not be more thrilled to join this amazing staff and network of programs. I’ve known MCAEL for years through my work in the county, both at Interfaith Works and most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). But after just two weeks on the job at MCAEL, I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of the breadth of work that we do – and the impact that we have on the lives of so many. Not speaking English affects your life in almost every way, from asking for directions or help in a store to securing employment and an education. I speak from experience. I was a young teenager when my family moved to the United States. Not knowing how to speak the language, I had to navigate not only a new country, but eighth grade in an American middle school (arguably challenging even for native speakers). At a time when some of our learners are afraid to come to class, we need to stand tall and continue to do what we have always done – offer pathways to a better quality of life through English learning, and to support our strong network of programs in doing so. I am excited to take on this work and I look forward to meeting all of you through planned visits to programs, as well as at meetings and community events. I welcome your phone calls, emails, and visits! Please reach out at any time – I would love it. Warmly, Gerard

MCAEL’s First-Ever Learner Celebration

By Emma Starr • May 14, 2025
One hundred and sixty-five people came out for food, performances, resources, and inspiring stories at MCAEL’s first-ever Celebration of English Learners last month. Attendees may have hailed from across the globe, but they shared common experiences as immigrants and English language learners. At the event, they had access to organizations offering services ranging from healthcare to legal advice – and all enjoyed an abundance of international food, and a lively program featuring the personal stories of learners and dance performances by Grupo Folklorico Internacional and CCACC Evergreen Martial Arts Health Dance Class. Representatives from the offices of Councilmembers Jawando and Mink presented a special citation, signed by the Council Education Committee, to Sonia Peñate, long-time volunteer (and former learner) from the Seneca Creek Community Church ESOL program. Kanidiengue Kone, who moved to the US from the Ivory Coast three years ago and currently serves as a member of MCAEL’s Learner Leadership Group, had these words for the crowd: “Today, I want to encourage you: keep going with your classes, even when it feels hard. Growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zone.”
Image of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's New Executive Director.

MCAEL Welcomes Gerard J. P. Etienne as New Executive Director

By MCAEL • April 16, 2025
MCAEL is delighted to announce the appointment of Gerard J. P. Etienne as its new Executive Director. Gerard brings a depth of experience overseeing and growing large programs, most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). He will assume his new position at MCAEL on May 5, 2025. Gerard began his career as a mechanical engineer and then a management consultant for both small and large companies, focusing on intrapreneurship and innovation. He discovered his passion for mission-driven work through years of volunteering – leading him to a position as Director of the Vocational Services Program (VSP) at Interfaith Works, where he worked directly with immigrant job seekers, including non-English speakers, to help them overcome cultural and employment barriers. “Gerard brings a deep personal connection to MCAEL’s mission and a strong commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized communities in Montgomery County,” said Sean Klein, MCAEL Board Chair. “His record of equity-centered leadership, along with his experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex programs, make him the ideal choice to lead MCAEL into its next chapter.”  "I am thrilled and honored to serve as MCAEL'S next Executive Director,” Gerard stated. “As a long-time Montgomery County resident and someone with lived experience as an English learner, MCAEL'S mission is deeply personal to me. It's a privilege to give back to my community and to help expand opportunities for adult learners across our county." Gerard’s family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he entered the American school system speaking no English. A Montgomery County resident for almost 40 years, Gerard and his wife raised two sons here. He and his wife are both avid fans of Arsenal Football Club (they never miss a game). They live in Silver Spring with their dog, Doug.