Posts in category: blog

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, ACC’s 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.

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 ACC’s 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 “window visit,” 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. 

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 “call” 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.  Don’t 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 “not sure” 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 “love of humanity.” The word was coined over 2,500 years ago by the Greeks in the tale of Prometheus. The tale goes like this – 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 “goodwill to fellow members of the human race” and “an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes.”  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.  ACC’s 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, “What does philanthropy mean to ACC?”  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.

I’d like to invite you to read a new recurring section in ACC News, “Your Contributions at Work,” 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.  It’s these contributions that will not only sustain, but help shape the future of ACC and its community of caring.

ACC Fund Development Committee

• Debi Llata, Co-chair
• Winston Ashizawa, Co-chair
• Evelyn Chin
• Jean Chong
• Norman Fong
• Lori Lee
• Mike Marando
• Sylvia Tang
• Helen Yee
• William Yee
• Jean Shiomoto (Ex-Officio)

By Linda Revilla 

For the regional fundraiser event Big Day of Giving, ACC usually has a party/open house featuring ACC bands, food, arts demonstrations and exhibits, and last year, a craft and vendor fair. 

Because of the pandemic, we made the choice to do it all online. Our informal motto was “go big!” We broadcast an epic five-hour live telethon on Facebook that brought $150,000 in donations. This is more than double the amount raised last year. 

Three masked MCs, Mike Marando, Linda Revilla, and Scott Okamoto, interviewed local dignitaries such as Council Member Rick Jennings, My Sister’s House ED Nilda Valmores, APAPA’s Yen Marshall and CC Yin, and more. In-house live guitar music by ACC Memory Care  Nurse Manager Michael Deneau added to the excitement on the set and provided quite the ear worm with his rendition of “Times Like These.” 

Musical guest acts were Skyped in live. Shirley Stassi transfixed the audience with a beautiful hula. Ukulele was well-represented by Judge William Shubb; Dennis & Janet Fisher; and Dani Joy. ACC guitar duos Asian Pair (George Connor & Mary Nakamura) and Gary Yee and Jane Nakagawa also performed. Koichi Mizushima with daughter Ellie, and singer Alexi Ishida were other highlights, bringing youthful energy to the show. ACC volunteer instructor Joaquin Ngarangad led a trio in dancing/exercising to a disco number- all the while wearing masks.  ACC Culinary Services Manager James Hutchins flambéed a steak as part of his demo that had one viewer comment, “it was torture to watch because we couldn’t taste that steak!” 

There was a mix of entertainment and information on ACC programs and services. The telethon was to raise funds to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on ACC’s operations. Our efforts to keep everyone safe and adhere to the shelter-in-place orders means pausing programs such as the Lifelong Learning & Wellness classes, limiting transportation by ACC Rides to critical rides, halting move-ins at Greenhaven Terrace and Maple Tree Village, and taking extra sanitizing precautions and increased use of personal protective equipment at all sites, especially the Care Center. All of this has impacted ACC economically.  Facebook showed 2,100 cumulative “views” of the telethon on the day it was broadcast, May 7, 2020. Since then, the recording on Facebook has gone viral, with 5,000 more views! No doubt, the appearance by Broadway stars Welly Yang and Dina Morishita, who shared two beautiful songs, and special guests Lisa and Laura Ling with their father Doug Ling are reasons why the broadcast has had repeated views. Ted Fong, ACC consultant, was the “man behind the curtain,” aided by volunteers Garret Ashizawa and Nina Fong, and staff Perfecto Bravo and Michael Yang. The success of the telethon has ACC planning future live online events. ACC TV anyone?

By Wayne Kurahara

Whenever ACC has an event or activity, we rely on families and friends to help.  This includes local restaurants and businesses.  They are some of our most generous benefactors.  They donate their time, manpower, equipment, goods, and services.  Without them, our fundraising as well as many of our events and activities would not be nearly as successful.  We are extremely fortunate to have them.  In this regard, they are part of the ACC Family, too.

These local restaurants and businesses are like individual families that first need to take care of their own family members.  Even though they may seem highly successful, the profit margins are much smaller than what you would think.  Some operate with less than a ten percent profit margin.  So that means that if they must close for a couple of months (or lose 10-15% of their business) during the COVID-19 pandemic, it puts the restaurant or business in jeopardy.  

Although, we do not know of the financial situation of individual restaurants and businesses, we should support those in our community as they do for us.  Here is a partial list of restaurants and businesses that are part of the ACC Family.  Even though some are not conducting their “Business as Usual” schedule or operation, many are open for limited hours and/or limited/reduced services.   Nonetheless, ACC urges you to continue to support them just as you do for your own family.

Even if you can’t order their food or flowers right away, “like” and “share” their social media posts or post positive reviews and photos.

• A Sushi Experience at Oto’s Market Place
• A Taste Above Restaurant
• Balshor Florist
• Binchoyaki Izakaya
• Bouquet Florist & Gifts
• Cacio Restaurant
• Caffe Latte Restaurant
• Device Brewing Company
• Fishology Poke Bar
• Frank’s Quality Meats
• Heringer Family Estates
• Kiyo’s Floral Design
• Leatherby’s Family Creamery of Elk Grove
• L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Lake Crest Village
• Le Croissant Factory
• Lemon Grass Restaurant
• Marie Callender’s Restaurant
• Mikuni’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
• New China Restaurant
• Nugget Markets
• Oak Park Market
• Origami Asian Grill
• Osaka Ya
• Oto’s Market Place
• Pho Bac Restaurant
• Royal Florist
• Shari’s Restaurant
• The Izakaya 
• Vic’s Ice Cream
• Wilson Family Winery
• Zen Toro Restaurant
• Zocalo Restaurant

By Ted Fong

Maeley Tom’s new book “I’m Not Who You Think I Am” is aptly titled. Residents at ACC Care Center know Maeley as a skilled vocalist whose performances have brought them immense joy over the years. Yet behind her smooth, jazzy voice is her other voice that, for  decades, transformed California politics. Those who know her as a politico will find her personal story and innermost thoughts fascinating.

Maeley Tom is a trailblazer who spent her career bringing Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) into the political process. Getting them elected. Getting them appointed. And she did so while serving at the highest levels of State government, working on presidential campaigns, and more. 

Maeley was the Chief Administrative Officer of the California State Assembly and Chief of Staff to the President of the State Senate, David Roberti. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed her to serve on the Women’s Business Ownership Commission. She was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee during Bill Clinton’s presidency at the invitation of DNC Chairman Ron Brown. In every decade since the 70s, Maeley shattered a new glass ceiling, bringing others with her. 

Her new book reveals how she brought together people with power, money, and influence. Often, she was doing the influencing.

Maeley explains how her upbringing, like her political career, was anything but traditional. Her parents were famous Chinese opera stars who were not able to raise her. They sent her to live with a French Basque woman in the Richmond District. At age 16, Maeley was self sufficient and financially independent.

After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Social Welfare, Maeley recalls, “I looked forward to a profession where I would be able to help people in need, as I had been helped during my times of need.” If she only knew what lay ahead.

A master storyteller, Maeley describes her political journey from the very beginning, spanning from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. As a woman and ethnic minority, she plowed through many challenges that faced her. Fortunately, she was good at reading people, understanding their doubts and prejudices, and connecting with them in a positive way. Maeley learned very quickly how politics worked as her star rose.

As a high governmental appointee, Maeley was in a unique position to build an APIA political movement. Elected officials and grassroots organizations alike followed her drumbeat. In her book, page after page, name after name, Maeley recounts the details. She also expresses her gratitude to just about every collaborator she could remember. 

One person she brings up repeatedly is Georgette Imura, who she says, “shared my passion and vision of change.” Maeley and Georgette stepped up to be the “face that took the risks” to promote the APIA political agenda. In a first, they formed the Asian Pacific Legislative Staff Caucus at the state Capitol. Current ACC Board member Joyce Iseri was in this group.

Throughout her book, Maeley describes situations where people misjudged her or were downright prejudiced. Her story about interviewing for a top job with State Assembly Rules Committee Chairman Lou Papan is a good example. It fit a certain pattern. Once people found out who she really was (hence the title of the book), whom she was connected with, and what her capabilities were, they changed their views about her. Many became allies. 

Maeley details the Clinton fundraising scandal and how much she suffered at the hands of congressional investigators and the press looking for high-value targets with Asian ties. It was the low point in her career. But key people stood up for her. Close friends mended her spirits and got her past this crisis.

Maeley says her husband Ron Tom was “the source of stability in the family,” especially during this difficult time and others, like her mother’s passing and her bout with cancer. Ron and Maeley have been married for 50 years and have a daughter, Stephanie.

Maeley participated in this year’s Big Day of Giving at ACC. When asked what her most satisfying achievement was, she said it was mentoring others, so they have the same opportunities that she had. It is no accident that the word “mentor” appears 22 times in her book. As the only child of absentee parents, Maeley writes, “I totally relied on mentors and role models to help me navigate my own life.”

While Maeley is still involved in various public causes, she continues to use the musical gifts she inherited from her parents to enrich the lives of seniors at ACC. One time, after receiving a lengthy introduction at an ACC performance, she told the audience, “These titles mean very little to me, because I am here to sing for you. It’s just me, you, and the music.” In that moment, nothing else mattered to her.