In these times of COVID-19, we miss our wonderful volunteers. Your generosity and dedication to ACC makes ACC what it is today. While the administrative center is closed and onsite events are cancelled, we still need our valued volunteers. If you would like to continue helping ACC while you are sheltering at home, we have several opportunities that might interest you that are listed below.
SCSEP needs someone to
Help make phone calls to participants who are at home now and can help with mandatory online training
Help train participants on smart phone and computer basics
TEAM/CHANGES needs
Volunteers who speak other languages to help translate for non-English speaking clients (the goal would be to have a dedicated group that could be called upon when needed)
Volunteers (ESL focused) who are part of other groups and could get materials out about utilities assistance
Mickey Yamadera
Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable volunteer who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for ACC for decades is now living in ACCâs âcommunity of caringâ that she helped create. Read Mickey’s story.
Marketing needs help with
Editorial writing for the print and online newsletters
Production assistance for online streaming content
ACC Needs Clerical Support to
Help take and type up meeting minutes
Volunteers Needed to Make Reassurance Calls to
GT IL Residents
Rides participants
If you are interested in helping with any of these opportunities, please contact Dave Lin at dlin@accsv.org or (916) 394-6399 x 143. As always, thank you for your generous support of ACC!
Even before the pandemic, life as a caregiver was challenging. Now with COVID-19 redefining our life every day, caregivers are faced with more physical, emotional, and financial burdens that are too much to bear.
More than 40 million people in the U.S. provide day-to-day care for their loved ones in addition to fulfilling their own life responsibilities. Older women care for their spouses with dementia while trying to manage multiple chronic conditions and diminishing mobility. Middle-age adults known as the âSandwich Generationâ help out aging parents while being responsible for the well-being of their children. Millennials have to set aside their aspirations in life and be the primary caregiver for their boomer parents or siblings with severe disabilities. They find that the caregiving journey can be very lonely, unpredictable, and draining, both physically and emotionally.
Caregiving in the Pandemic
“Deprived of social outlets and support, many caregivers and their loved ones are noticing difficulties with their mental health,” says Soojin Yoo, MSW
Even in normal times, society provided less than adequate social support for this vulnerable population. Now caregiving families are left to their own devices when many of these care resources, formal and informal, are no longer available. In-person day programs, social enrichment activities, and support groups are closed. Family members and relatives who usually share caregiving duties stopped visiting due to the fear of the virus. It takes extra time and energy to make a medical appointment or arrange rehab services, if available. Hiring in-home help is an extremely anxiety-inducing task for some families, who chose rather to provide care without any respite.
Deprived of social outlets and support, many caregivers and their loved ones are noticing difficulties with their mental health. Constant worries and vigilance are tiring. People with dementia do not understand this new reality and this can make proper caregiving more stressful. Family relationships are affected when disagreements and conflicts build up. Caregivers whose loved ones are at care facilities mourn the loss of in-person contact and companionship. Working caregivers, who lost their jobs, have to deal with their own financial insecurity and fear of not being able to provide for their care receivers, as well. It is not surprising that caregiving families are increasingly suffering from issues such as anxiety, sleep problems, and depression.
Judy Fong’s husband Gary uses ACC Rides to get to his dialysis appointments. “We know he is in good hands for the next few hours,” she says.
Yet, it is more important than ever for the caregivers to pay attention to their self-care and mobilize any resources they can use to support them through this difficult time. Caregiving is more manageable and rewarding when the caregivers are surrounded by people who are willing to listen and help problem-solve.
Please take some time to assess your level of physical strain and mental stress. Do not hesitate to ask for help from your network of friends and families. Utilize professional help available in your community. The ACC Caregiver Support Program has proudly served caregiving families in Sacramento County since 2008. Care assessments and consultations, benefit reviews, service referrals, and support groups continue to be provided via phone calls, email, mail, and online at no cost.
At one point in our lives, we may all find ourselves in the position of caring for someone we hold dear. It is the most private and precious act of love, but requires the collective efforts from people around us and broader society to be successful. Please remember that you are not alone in this journey and reach out for help.
In 2008, Linda Revilla came to ACC with a PhD in Psychology, but she was no ordinary academic. She was a people person with a knack for turning ideas into full-blown community programs. In the past 12 years, Linda transformed ACC Programs into a vital community resource, improving the lives of seniors and their family caregivers by the thousands. She put ACC Programs on the map of the region and nurtured ACC into peopleâs hearts.
Linda is leaving ACC Senior Services as the Program Director to become the Director of Programs at Meals on Wheels by ACC. ACC recognizes her commitment to shepherding ACC Programs through a period of tremendous growth.
Linda grew up in a family that placed high value on participating in community activities by including everyone who wanted to join. Many of her childhood memories are of her mom serving as a room parent for her kids when they were in elementary school while her father coached Little League games. Even though both her parents worked full-time, they always found time to volunteer and to make a difference where they lived.
In ACC, Linda found a place that shared her values. Everyone believed older adults had the capacity to live fulfilling and independent lives and wanted to figure out how to make that happen. Linda was hired for her grant writing and program development experience. She quickly got busy building up programs and embracing volunteers to join forces with her.
Over her 12-year tenure, Linda developed the Lifelong Learning and Wellness Program, 65-70 classes, clubs, and activities that met every week at the ACC Campus. She implemented Bridge to Healthy Families, a program to improve access to comprehensive support services for family caregivers; respite care through the Friendly Visitors Program, where volunteers serve as friendly companions to seniors or people with disabilities; and SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) a community service and work-based job training program for older adults. Many other programs have come and gone depending on the needs of the community and the availability of funding.
With Liana Ma
With Janice Joe
With Jean Chew
With Soojin Yoo, Judie Higashi, Kathleen Yee, and Bonnie Rea
With Susan Sarinas
Packing lunches for the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
Moderating a town hall on aging
Emcee at the Big Day of Giving 2019
Big Day of Giving with Darrick Lam and Tina Macuha
With Chao Nguyen and Anna Su
With Paul Quong and Anna Su
With Janet Sakata
Linda says her favorite grant was from Sac Metro Art Program. This grant funded classes in playwriting, acting, dancing and performance. At the end of the grant period, the students came together and performed a play written by one of the them, Pattie Hashimoto. The effect was lasting. Over the past 10 years, with volunteer Glenn Watanabe, ACC developed an outstanding ukulele, guitar, singing, and hula program. The community has come to recognize the talents of the students when they perform at senior centers and community celebrations.
One of Lindaâs most memorable moments was her first-time ride with ACC Rides, the transportation program started by Virginia Wieneke in 2003. She rode with volunteer drivers Ken Ito and Ann Okamura. Linda appreciated the independence the program gave to older adults but was very impressed with the level of care and friendliness the volunteers gave to the riders.
Whether people were introduced to ACC through the Care Center, looking for senior classes, or in need of assistance, Linda brought many of them into ACC to teach a class, participate in community celebrations, or volunteer in some capacity. Linda knew and valued the volunteers and their great capacity to enrich their lives and others by participating in ACC. The connections she made with them encouraged many of them to continue their involvement with ACC for many years.
Linda shared that one of her favorite things the volunteers and participants would do over the years is to bring sweets to the office â Janet Sakataâs apple pie, Gee Kongâs pear pie, Keiko Damonâs weekly cookies, Sheri Morishitaâs blueberry mochi and dips, Jean Shiomotoâs baked treats, Michelle Ogataâs desserts, and Pattie Hashimotoâs holiday treats. And, of course, Alfred Yeeâs lunches at ACC were always a highlight.
ACC has a firm policy of keeping classes and programs affordable to anyone who wants to participate. This made funding rather challenging at times and Linda saw Big Day of Giving as a great opportunity to help raise money for programs. In 2014, Linda began showcasing ACCâs programs and made it a community event. It raised $9,000. ACCâs success was even recognized one year on the front page of the Sacramento Bee! This year, BDoG raised $160,000, breaking the all-time fundraising record for a single event. It highlighted all areas of ACC Senior Services in its first ever telethon.
International Fashion Show at The Big Day of Giving 2019
Recently, Meals on Wheels by ACC recognized its participants would do well to have its program services expand and developed a Director of Programs position. Linda saw this as an opportunity to grow new programs from scratch. She knew with her experience, knowledge, and the ethos of valuing volunteers and community she would create something great for them.
Outside of ACC Linda is active with the Alzheimerâs Association, Yolo Hospice, and UC Davis Alzheimerâs Disease Center. Currently, she is a mentor for the Big Day of Giving organization, and sits on the Community Advisory Board for UC Davis, and API Advisory Council for the Alzheimerâs Association.
It is with utmost admiration and gratitude that ACC honors Linda Revilla for her lasting contributions to our community, made with so much love and care.
Along Came Linda
A special song dedicated to Linda Revilla
Louise Joyce, Director of Community Development, Yolo Hospice…
âLinda understood that the conversation with our seniors in regards to end-of-life issues were limited, so she collaborated with Yolo Hospice on several events. Her ever present and endless commitment to the service of our seniors is a delight to behold. She never stops listening, paying attention and meeting their needs in creative ways.â
Bonnie Rae, Family Care Specialist, Alzheimerâs Association, N. Cal and N. Nevada Chapter…
âI met Linda when I was completing my Master in Social Work (MSW) degree. She was one of my supervisors for my internship. She, along with my other supervisors, mentored me throughout the academic year and beyond. I give credit to Linda for helping me develop skills in micro-, meso-, and macro-practice of social work. She is one of the reasons why I have an interest in grant writing and program development. Of all the years of knowing and collaborating with Linda, I would have to say we have done some of our best work together over food.â
Glenn Watanabe, Music Volunteer, ACC Senior Services…
âLinda might not have realized it then but she became our first booking agent when she asked us to perform at the annual ACC Open House. Since then, the Pocket Pickers and newer ukulele and guitar groups have performed at sister agencies, the Crocker Art Museum and all the Big Day of Giving and holiday concerts, just to name a few. Linda recognized early on that it really wasnât about the ukulele but the seniors learning new skills, socializing and giving back to our communities.â
Oanh Meyer, PhD, MAS, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine…
“Iâve known Linda for a couple of years through my research studies in the community. She has been a valuable source of information throughout the years and is currently serving on my community advisory board through the UC Davis Alzheimerâs Disease Research Center. I very much appreciate all the knowledge and insight she has provided!“
ACC has served the Sacramento community since the early 1970s. Long on vision and strong on planning, ACC has enjoyed tremendous growth decade after decade. Next year, ACC will celebrate its 50-year anniversary. But its work doesnât stop there.
On August 18, 2020, ACC rolled out its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at a virtual town hall meeting attended by approximately 80 ACC staff, members of the Board, volunteers, and key stakeholders. This was the culmination of a one-day strategic planning retreat held last year on August 17th and twelve meetings of the ACC Executive Committee and Executive Management team since then.
Attendees of the strategic planning retreat worked collaboratively to develop the four key goals and then the ACC Executive Team and the Executive Committee developed the action plan and guiding principles to achieve them. The ACC Board of Directors approved the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at the August 31, 2020 Board meeting with the theme of Honoring the Past â Transforming for the Future. The Goals are:
Goal #1: To be a premier provider of community and residential services focused on creating meaningful life experiences for older adults and their families
Goal #2: To develop a business model that spurs program growth and charitable giving, while ensuring high levels of quality services and financial stability
Goal #3: To be the preferred employer of an engaged workforce by supporting professional development and the collective contributions of our staff
Goal #4: To cultivate an organization-wide culture where volunteers and staff work hand-in-hand to fulfill the vision and mission of ACC Senior Services
The COVID-19 pandemic and the countryâs racial issues played a role in developing these goals. They have broadened our view of health and safety and our responsibilities to the greater community. ACC will remain clear-eyed and proactive about handling these and other exigencies that will come our way.
As part of its continuum of care strategy, ACC invested in assisted living with the construction of ACC Maple Tree Village, shown here.
The 2021-2025 Strategic Plan will be guided by the following principles:
Emphasizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Ensuring Financial Sustainability
Reshaping Services & Programs with Technology
Reimagining Volunteer Engagement
Enhancing Social InteractionÂ
The Five-Year Strategic Plan lists specific strategies under each goal. These include:
Creating a holistic environment at ACC where clients, residents, families, volunteers and staff have opportunities to nurture their body, mind, and spiritÂ
Promoting ACC in the community as a thought leader and trusted expert on aging issues and best practicesÂ
Increasing transportation services to older adults living in ACC residential communities as well as those living at homeÂ
Developing a plan to remodel the Care Center and/or build an additional post-acute facility to maintain ACCâs viability and improve the level of resident privacy and self-directionÂ
Evaluating the efficacy of ACC adding or collaborating on affordable housing options for seniorsÂ
Continuing to integrate services throughout ACC, eliminate siloed thinking, and promote teamwork across program linesÂ
Developing a robust Intergenerational Program, engaging the local community throughout all ACC divisions to enhance community service and connectednessÂ
Establishing a viable fundraising and endowment plan to sustain current programs and enable future growth of ACCÂ
Expanding the Career Advancement Program (CAP) to include all employees and develop additional modules to meet employee development needsÂ
Developing and scaling ACCâs unique âCommunity of Caringâ brand throughout the communityÂ
Exploring and developing options to attract and retain high quality staffÂ
Cultivating an ACC Core Value-driven workforce including both staff and volunteers.Â
Promoting communication, mutual understanding, and respect among staff and volunteersÂ
Each of these strategies (and there are many more) has an action plan and owners assigned to them. ACCâs Executive Management Team will report quarterly to the ACC Board of Directors on the progress of the strategies and action plans. The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually, adjustments made as needed, and shared with the ACC Community.
Amidst all this, ACC is prepared to adapt to future changes in the marketplace. The number of older adults and their life expectancy will continue to rise, driving more demand for assisted-living, memory care, and in-home services. More social services and life-long learning programs will be needed too.
The Strategic Plan also calls for developing a strong culture of philanthropy and business innovation. The Big Day of Giving held in May raised a record-breaking $160,000, a clear indicator that the community is passionate about what ACC does. Jean Shiomoto, our Board Chair, believes that the challenge in the next five years is to create more opportunities for philanthropic donations and creating endowments that will lead to new, impactful programs for seniors.
ACCâs stature in the community has risen over five decades. People and other institutions will continue to seek ACCâs views on a range of healthcare and social issues, especially those that affect underserved seniors and people of color. Because of this, ACC needs to move in the direction of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are no longer just serving the Asian community.
ACC is already seeing a more diverse workforce and client base, but there is more work to be done. The transformation will continue in the next five years.
With her recent move to ACC Maple Tree Village, Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable woman who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for ACC for decades is now living within ACCâs âcommunity of caringâ that she helped create.
Fellow long-time volunteer Frances Lee remembers meeting Mickey around 1983. She says, âAfter Mickey retired from the State of California, she volunteered at the ACC office on 6th and V Streets, working with Joyce Sakai and Dona OwFook, who were running the office at the time. Mickey and her late husband George were both bingo volunteers. Each session needed 22 volunteers. She worked tirelessly on staffing. Mickey also sold bingo paper on the floor, and George was a bingo caller.â
Mickey with Diane Van Maren at the ACC Maple Tree Village groundbreaking in 2018
Mickey was also ACCâs treasurer for many years. She kept a file card system with names, addresses, and information on what donors and volunteers did. She clipped and saved obituaries of people who passed away. All this information helped friends of ACC give âkoden,â which is the Japanese practice of giving money to the family of the deceased.
âThese were a substantial portion of our donations,â says Donna Yee, the former CEO of ACC Senior Services. âThe koden list often gave rise to a retelling of many stories of families and relationships, a practice that imbued staff with knowledge and a real sense of the culture of caring at ACC. We learned through this oral history how families were linked before and after WWII and through marriages, divorces, celebrations and tragedies.â
Mickey served on the ACC Craft and Bake Sale Committee from the very beginning in the 1980s. She constantly made calls for food and other items to sell. Says Donna, âMickey could get all kinds of people to do so many things they never thought they could do.â Frances agrees, âIf you have ever gotten a call from Mickey, you know itâs hard to say no.â
“The backbone of ACC has been its exceptionally dedicated volunteers. Mickey embodies that spirit, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives!â
Gloria Imagire
Hach Yasumura met Mickey at work in 1962, while working at the Department of Motor Vehicles. He had just moved from Long Beach to Sacramento. She invited him to her church, Pioneer Methodist Church, which is now Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC). He recalls, âMickey-san was part of the group when we did an initial outreach to the churches about the plans for the Asian Community Centerâs housing for the elderly under the leadership of Leo Goto. She was there to support some of her friends from church: Leo Goto, Gloria Imagire, and Yasushi Chewy Ito. Mickey-san is a team player, whether it was for her family, her relatives and friends, at church, at DMV, or for the Girls Scouts. She was always there to help.â
Mickey’s Girl Scout Reunion in 2012 at the Aviators Restaurant. Photo by Susan (Okubo) Matsuura.
Glenn Watanabe met Mickey in 1978. He transported Tanoshimi Kai participants in ACCâs 14-passenger van to SJUMC, where Mickey helped organize weekly luncheons for them. âI liked her immediately,â he says. During the bingo era, Glenn called numbers alongside Mickeyâs husband George.
In 2007, Mickey recommended Glenn as a committee and board member. âI remember talking with Donna Yee, asking why ACC would take that risk on me when they didnât know me that well,â says Glenn. âDonna laughed and said that although I was thoroughly vetted, it was Mickeyâs endorsement that actually sealed the deal. Thatâs how much respect and admiration Mickey garnered through all her years serving ACC as a volunteer and officer.â
Mickey at last year’s ACC Bingo Volunteer Reunion with daughter Karen Tredway in the background.
Mickey has always been a doer, one who makes a lasting impression on the people she works with. âMickeyâs life is one of perseverance, patience, hopeful optimism, and grit,â says Donna. âShe listens compassionately to the problems and tragedies of others, not to compare or compete, but with pure empathy and appreciation for the fortitude and strength of others.â
She was always there to help and support, says Hach. âShe always has a pleasant smile to greet you. She would share her laughter with you and she was there to share your sadness.â
Greetings, Friends of ACC. I want to give $10 million dollars to help continue funding the important and wonderful activities of ACC!!!!!!
I hope this introductory sentence caught your attention to continue reading!!!! Yes, wouldn’t it be great if it were possible to make this statement come true???
The Finance Committee would probably have a great time trying to determine how to invest the funds in a manner that would continue sustaining the operations and to help create more opportunities to further the mission of the ACC organization.
My name is Norman Fong. I have been asked to write a short message on “why I have volunteered to donate my time, effort and financial resources” to the “Asian Community Center of Sacramento Valley, Inc.”
For me, it is very simple. When I think about it, most people are usually motivated in life by one of two things: FEAR or REWARD!!!
In my case, the reward is in the giving monetarily, as well as in donating my time and effort freely for a great cause.
As a former ACC President and former Board of Director member, I do have another reason. I feel I have a vested interest in this organization to continue the legacy and to honor the many Founders. People such as Chewy Ito, William Fong, MD, Phil Hiroshima, Esq., and many others who were the pioneers and visionaries, deserve to have their legacy expanded forward.
I believed in ACC’s overriding mission to help the elderly in our community. As a former health and medical care professional, I felt ACC’s goals resonated well with my career. So, it was really a no-brainer for me to become involved. As well, the friendships and relationships that I have developed as a result of working and volunteering with people at ACC have been rewarding over the years. I give credit to the many volunteers who have demonstrated leadership tenacity and expounding on their visionary insights. A few names come to mind to whom I want to give credit for challenging me by their example. Folks like Winston Ashizawa, Wayne Shimizu, William Yee, Frances Lee, the Imagires, and many others have proven to be, and continue to be, dedicated volunteers committed to ACC for the long-haul. I give them much respect and many kudos for their life-long service to ACC.
Finally, for me, most importantly, by being able to give back to the community, I find it very comforting that I am able to do what I can for ACC. I do feel a sense of pride. I feel grateful and thankful for the opportunity over the years, especially during my most productive years, to have been given the chance to volunteer in many ways. Helping elderly people, especially contributing to their well-being in the later stages of life, has provided me with a great sense of accomplishment. I have heard some folks say “why not just spend more time just enjoying life” instead of always volunteering. Perhaps for some people that may be the case. I believe each person needs to determine and allocate their resources and volunteer time as appropriate to meet their personal situation, balancing work life, family life, and personal life.
Some people find joy in being in a community with other like-minded folks volunteering for a great cause such as ACC. I guess I happen to be in that group!!!
Many of the residents who move to Greenhaven Terrace hope to meet new friends or connect with their neighbors. For Mas Hatano and Yvonne Jung-Lew, the unexpected happened. They fell in love.
The two met a little over a year ago, shortly after Yvonne moved to Greenhaven Terrace. Mas had already been a longtime resident. They formed a friendship through walking; and it blossomed into much more. They would meet for dates under the gazebo at Greenhaven Terrace or at the bench at the ACC Senior Services building. Yvonne said that what she loves most about Mas is that he is easy to talk to, and Mas says that what he loves most about Yvonne is her sense of humor.Â
Mas proposed to Yvonne in March 2020, but a hesitant Yvonne turned him down. It wasnât until weeks of being apart and talking every day that she finally agreed to marry him. When asked why the change of heart, Yvonne replied that she would rather be happy for the rest of her life than be lonely. Being with Mas made her happy.
The pair married on August 20, 2020, in a small ceremony at the Sacramento County Clerkâs office. Because of COVID-19 precautions, they were only allowed to have one witness each at the ceremony. Both of them brought one of their children to serve as witnesses. They look forward to getting to know each otherâs families and hope to go on a cruise for their honeymoon in 2021.
They are excited to continue living happily at Greenhaven Terrace, the place where they both found love again.
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon has been a regular annual event held by ACC Senior Services for many years. This has traditionally been an opportunity for ACC to give back to our volunteers and thank them for all the service they provide to both ACC and our community.Â
Normally this event is held in April of each year, but due to COVID-19 and the concern for the health and safety of our volunteers and staff, it had to be postponed. We still wanted to show our appreciation to our volunteers, however, and our Volunteer Development Committee came up with the great idea of having a drive-through event to have people come pick up an insulated lunch bag filled with a fresh Vietnamese sandwich, drink, ramen, cookies, cloth face mask and some appreciation cards.
Nancy Iseri places items into bags.
Virginia and Linda perform quality control.
Cynthia Huang places Vietnamese bĂĄnh mĂŹ sandwiches into lunch bags.
Board Vice Chair Chiang Wang loads his car before starting on his delivery route.
Plans were well under way to do this, with over 150 volunteers signed up, and the logistics were almost complete. As the pandemic worsened in the Sacramento community and at ACC, the staging of the event was looking to become more and more difficult. Volunteers would not be allowed to assist staff with the event, and staff from other ACC facilities would no longer be available to assist. With these challenges in mind, the Committee came up with the great idea to do a lunch delivery instead of a pick-up.
Gene Kato joined other staff and volunteers to pack 150 lunches for door-to-door delivery.
With the help of the Volunteer Development Committee, ACC Rides and ACC management staff, in two short weeks a plan was developed to have 15 volunteer and staff drivers deliver all 150 or more lunches to our volunteers all over Sacramento County. It was a rewarding experience for all of us involved with the event, and the feedback from our volunteers was overwhelmingly positive. We are hopeful weâll be able to show our appreciation for all our volunteers again in the near future, and we miss all of them very much!
ACC President and CEO Darrick Lam delivers lunch to Board member Titus Toyama in appreciation for his service.
By Darrick Lam, ACC President/CEO and Jean Shiomoto, ACC Chair of the Board
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC Care Center has worked diligently to follow the evolving guidance from local, state, and federal resources in order to maintain the safety and health of our valued residents and staff. ACC maintains robust infection control practices, a universal masking requirement, daily symptom screenings, and strict personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. ACC also implemented visitation restrictions in accordance with regulatory guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, with COVID-19 numbers surging in Sacramento County and throughout California, ACC Care Center had its first resident with COVID-19 positive results in July. Subsequent to this, multiple residents and staff members also tested positive. We notified our residents, their family members, responsible parties, and primary physicians. We also notified our staff members and made a public statement on the ACC website on July 24. The residents who tested positive were safely transferred out to the hospital for follow-up. The staff members self-isolated at home under guidance from county health officials.
No new cases have been reported at the Care Center since August 18, 2020, but intensive testing continues per County healthy guidelines. Along with the rest of the nation, ACCâs fight against COVID-19 will extend well into the future. Rest assured, our procedures for prevention and handling the recent surge are as strong as ever thanks to the leadership of our Medical Director, Dr. Scott Stringer. In fact, ACC has appointed Dr. Stringer to also be the Medical Director for Assisted Living at ACC Maple Tree Village and ACC Greenhaven Terrace. Your moral support and donations have helped Dr. Stringer and his team fight this unseen, uncanny enemy.
The Community Room was used to prepare 150 lunches for delivery to the homes of ACC volunteers.
In the midst of all this, ACC has experienced many uplifting moments. To show our appreciation to our valued volunteers ACC held a Volunteer Lunch Delivery Event in place of the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon that is normally held in May. We delivered 150 lunches to volunteers at their homes in mid-July. Thank you to all the staff and, yes, volunteers, who made ACCâs Volunteer Lunch Delivery Event a success. Read Volunteer Appreciation story.
On Friday, August 14, ACC Care Center resident Mrs. Chang Hou celebrated her 101st birthday. With the help of Activity Director Debbie Williams, her family made a âwindow visit,â standing outside in 102-degree heat to sing Happy Birthday, hold up a giant sign, and talk to their mom through the glass. Mrs. Hou, whom her daughter Emily Chapman describes as strong and feisty, was visibly moved, as were the family members and staff who were present.
Minnie received a Certificate of Recognition from CA Assemblymember JimCooper
Another centenarian, Maple Tree Village (MTV) resident Minnie Iseri, turned 100 years old. MTV staff arranged for her to celebrate her birthday with family and friends online via Zoom on August 29th. Family from across the country and from Japan shared in this special celebration for Minnie. Minnie was amazed we could âcallâ everyone like that and she could see everyone. Minnie was able to converse with her family from Japan too. It was cute to hear one family member say they would take a small virtual slice of cake. Donât we all say that in person! Sacramento City Councilmember Rick Jennings even presented her a key to the city. Happy Birthday, Minnie! Read Minnie’s story.
The paradox of social distancing is that people are becoming closer. Their feelings for each other and their drive to connect have become more important as we change how we interact during the pandemic. At ACC, we have seen the best of our core human values emerge as people find new ways to connect with each other.
This Fall, ACC Programs is launching an initial offering of online classes and events. Many seniors embrace this, but according to our recent survey, 48% of respondents were ânot sureâ if they would participate in a new online format. We saw at the recent ACC telethon, a new level of energy and creativity is building around online programs among staff and volunteers alike. We also know that not everyone can connect online. Stay tuned as we work on content, and learning and connectivity strategies.
ACC was scheduled to roll out its Five-Year Strategic Plan before the pandemic changed everything. This plan was the result of a retreat we had in August 2019 attended by more than 60 ACC volunteers including Board and committee members. Since then, we have reset the timeline and adjusted some of our goals to reflect the new normal caused by COVID-19.
In closing, we want to thank the ACC Community for remaining diligent against COVID-19, helping those adversely affected, and remaining optimistic that we will emerge from the pandemic stronger and better.
The original definition of philanthropy is âlove of humanity.â The word was coined over 2,500 years ago by the Greeks in the tale of Prometheus. The tale goes like this â the tyrannical king of the gods, Zeus, wanted to destroy the primitive humans. Enter protagonist, Prometheus, who empowered the humans by giving them the gifts of fire and blind hope (aka optimism). Fire was symbolic of knowledge, skills, technology, arts and science; together with optimism, humans could use fire constructively to improve their conditions. What Prometheus loved was the human potential and what they could become with fire and blind hope.
Today, Merriam-Webster defines philanthropy as âgoodwill to fellow members of the human raceâ and âan act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes.â Some of the most well-known philanthropists are Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller; but many of us are also philanthropists (on a much smaller scale, of course). It was, in fact, a group of individuals who embodied both the historical and modern definitions of the word philanthropy that created the concept of ACC.
Philanthropy has been a part of ACC from day one when the organization was established in 1972 through the volunteer efforts of local community leaders. ACCâs flagship building, the ACC Care Center, a 99-bed skilled nursing facility, is the direct result of philanthropic efforts that included the first capital campaign and countless volunteer hours dedicated to weekly bingo sessions to raise the initial funds needed for construction. From here, philanthropic efforts expanded to include recurring fundraising events such as the beloved Care Center Fundraiser, Golf Tournament, Craft & Bake Sale, and, more recently, the Big Day of Giving.
Along with the expansion of philanthropic efforts came the first hire to support fund development, a part-time student who was tasked with basic donor and gift entry and acknowledgement. A Fund Development Officer and full time Fund Development Assistant were later added. Today, we have a fantastic team that has a tremendous amount of respect for the history of ACC yet is very optimistic about the future. ACC was fortunate to find Phong Luu, Donor Services Manager, who was hired in November 2019. Phong, a recent Bay Area transplant, came to ACC with many years of experience working in fund development for large private foundations and nonprofit organizations. Thyan Pham was initially hired as an Executive Assistant in March 2018 but is in the process of transitioning to Fund Development and has assumed the lead role in coordinating the quarterly newsletters and direct mail campaigns. Angela Roberts, whom many of you already know, has been helping out due to the recent uptick in Meals on Wheels by ACC donations; and Nina Fong, On-Call Fund Development Aide, rounds out the department.
Phong regularly poses the question, âWhat does philanthropy mean to ACC?â Tangible examples include having the newest technology at the ACC Care Center like the GeneXpert Xpress, a device that provides testing with results within 20 minutes for multiple viruses such as COVID-19, Flu, RSV and Strep; the 3M Bair Hugger temperature monitoring system; a computer lab at the ACC Campus; library at ACC Greenhaven Terrace; or one-of-a-kind artwork at ACC Maple Tree Village. In recent months, philanthropy has enabled ACC to provide regular wellness checks via phone calls from volunteers and has included extra hours contributed by managers at the ACC Care Center during staff shortages in order to provide the highest level of service to our residents.
However, both the past and the future of philanthropy at ACC extends well beyond the handful of examples I just shared. Philanthropy at ACC provides the means to offer enhanced services to our seniors that go above and beyond expectations. This is the magic and foundation of ACC.
Iâd like to invite you to read a new recurring section in ACC News, âYour Contributions at Work,â where the most recent philanthropic activity will be shared. It only seems fitting that if we dedicate a portion to each newsletter in recognition of our donors, that we share how those proceeds are being used.
ACC is extremely fortunate to have the ongoing support of monetary donations and volunteer hours from individuals, families, and corporations. Itâs these contributions that will not only sustain, but help shape the future of ACC and its community of caring.
