In 1990, Mr. Harrison Lim, the Executive Director of San Francisco Charity Cultural Services Center,
saw a need for serving new immigrants in Silicon Valley. He approached Mrs. Helen Lee,
a community leader and activist in Silicon Valley, about this need and together they developed a
vision for a Silicon Valley chapter of Charity Cultural Services Center. Mrs. Lee then approached
successful Chinese American leaders in the Silicon Valley to enlist their support. Thereafter, the
first Silicon Valley Crosscultural Community Services Center Board of Directors was formed. These
Board members were a group of first generation immigrants who achieved their
American dream and wanted to contribute to their adopted country by helping others. They played
a vital role in further developing the strategic directions and goals of Crosscultural Community Services
Center in Silicon Valley.
Over the years, through the hard work and dedication of the diverse past and present board members, the staff,
and many generous friends, Crosscultural Community Services Center has experienced a significant increase
in the variety of services offered to the community. Originally supported only by the local Chinese American community,
CCSC now receives additional funding through government funding and private foundations.
Today,
now going on twenty years, the original Silicon Valley "chapter" of Charity Community Services Center exists as it's own entity as
Crosscultural Community Services Center (CCSC), and is known for its quality service to the families and children in need
in the Silicon Valley.
As the program grew, and the focus turned to the East Side of San Jos
é, the
number of Latino young people grew to a majority. The Board looked at the
changing demographics and understood that staff needed to reflect that change.
CCSC's staff is a reflection of the community (Crosscultural.......as a whole and who it
serves). An now provides program support to students in their native language.
Culture is respected as staff understands, and most come from a dual culture,
one the is from an immigrant experience, and the other, what is the USA.
CCSC's management philosophy now embraces "Cultural Democracy" the
concept that respects all cultures, lifestyles, beliefs and embraces all.
It also embraces "Servant Leadership" where it is understood that we are
her to assist others.
As our name states "Crosscultural" the
ability to cross cultures and in understanding the beauty of your cultures,
learning to find the beauty in others.
Crosscultural, respects, Crosscultural
embraces, Crosscultural creates that potential of who we should be.
Education can be the great equalizer, the process that can bring a child from
the depths of poverty to a successful, peaceful, fruitful and happy life.
It its history the leaders of CCSC understand and embrace the need for programs
for our young people and it realizes how much can be given by the adults of our
communities.
That continues to be the mission because we are CCSC.
