On Friday, Aug. 27, the Asian Women’s Resource Center will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Part of the 135-year-old Gum Moon Women’s Residence, AWRC provides assistance to immigrant women in various aspects of life — from parenting to job skills to housing. The center is an integral part of the Chinatown community and is now expanding its doors to other areas of San Francisco. In 2003, the center opened two more locations in the Richmond and Sunset districts.
History
“Our history started during the railroad building in California,” said Stephen Louie, board chair. “Lots of Chinese men were imported to work, but none could bring their wives. So some smart entrepreneurs decided to start importing young women to the United States, with the promise to marry them to young, rich gum san merchants. But instead, the women were sold into prostitution.
“The Methodist Church rescued them, started a school, housed them and taught them the American way of life,” Louie continued. Known as the Oriental Home & School, it changed its name in the 1940s to the Gum Moon Women’s Residence, promoting welfare for women and children.
In 1984, Gum Moon Women’s Residence started its outreach program, which has become the Asian Women’s Resource Center.
Programs
Today the center provides comprehensive care for an entire childhood. “We have a parent-child development program where children 0 to 4 years participate in parenting workshops,” said Gloria Tan, executive director. For grade-school children, Tan notes that the center has after-school and summer school programs. Books are donated by KQED’s literacy program.
“Parents need to educate their children. That is our basic goal,” Louie said. “Many Chinese parents have to work late or they don’t know English. Here, [kids] learn to become leaders and well-behaved citizens.”
Graduates often return to offer their services. “We have a close relationship with the families — many of the kids become teachers,” Tan said. “We build trust. Immigrant parents like the support system; it makes the adjustment easier. We try to integrate both cultures.”
That kind of relationship also helps families who have children with special needs by making “it easier for Chinese parents to work with kids with disabilities,” Tan said.
In keeping with tradition, the center still provides housing for women as well.
The Beneficiaries
Fifteen-year-old Vincent began the parent-development program when he was 2. He continued to attend summer school and, when he was in the seventh grade, became a teacher’s assistant. “It taught me responsibilities,” Vincent said. “The center taught me how to be more mature and socialize with other people. I feel more comfortable talking with other people.”
Jennifer, 14, started the summer program in the third grade. She came back this year to help the teachers. “I enjoy being there,” she said. “You can tell older people your problems and they help you. [Younger kids] look to you as role models.”
The Future
One of the new issues that parents are dealing with is childhood obesity. Tan cites how Chinese families encourage children to eat a lot. “We’re trying to make people aware of healthy food, the difference between organic and non-organic,” she said.
“Needs for immigrants continue to grow,” Tan continued. “At first we want to provide resources but also [address] parenting needs, employment and education. Those needs have not changed.”