7.19.24 Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe Visited CCACC

On July 12th, the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) warmly welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe. With a Ph.D. in psychology, Councilmember Balcombe was particularly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the operations, current status, and needs of the CCACC Health Center, with the goal of collaboratively improving community welfare and serving the public.

Earlier this year, in February, Councilmember Balcombe attended CCACC's Lunar New Year celebration, and in May, she participated in the opening reception of "The Art of Xiaosheng Bi" at the CCACC Art Gallery, held in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Her visit to CCACC this time demonstrates her ongoing commitment and support for the center.

Councilmember Balcombe was warmly welcomed by several executive team members and board members of CCACC, including Former CCACC Executive Director and current Director of CCACC Sports, Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li; CCACC Board Member and the volunteer physician of CCACC Health Center, Mr. Mo-Ping Chow; CCACC Board Member, Ms. Julie Yang; Deputy Executive Director of CCACC, Ms. Li-fang C. Liu; and Director of CCACC Health Center, Ms. Kate Lu. CCACC Vice Chairwoman and Medical Director of CCACC Health Center, Dr. Yao-Yao Zhu, later joined the group despite her busy schedule.

Accompanied by these representatives, Councilmember Balcombe first toured the activity hall and kitchen on the first floor, where she observed the hardworking staff and the seniors receiving services. Next, she visited CCACC Art Gallery on the second floor to view the "CCACC Seniors Arts & Crafts Show" which features works by 15 senior members of CCACC Adult Day Healthcare Center and three instructors from the painting, fabric collage, and handmade nylon flower classes. Councilmember Balcombe showed great interest in the artwork, frequently stopping to admire and photograph the pieces. She remarked that these art pieces not only showcase the talents and wisdom of the elderly but also convey their positive and optimistic attitude towards life.

After a brief stop at the CCACC Health Center, the group moved to the conference room to listen to a presentation by Director Kate Lu about the CCACC Health Center. Director Lu provided an overview of the operations and services, highlighting the current challenges and needs. Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li also gave a brief overview of the entire CCACC's organization and the development of its seven departments.

Councilmember Balcombe expressed high praise for the CCACC's extensive and deep community services. She particularly appreciated learning more about the mental health programs at the CCACC Health Center and commended the efforts in providing mental health services to the Asian community.

Councilmember Balcombe holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. Before her community work, she served as an organizational psychologist with the U.S. Department of Energy, collaborating with psychologists nationwide to address issues such as substance abuse and mental health. She lauded the decades-long volunteer efforts at CCACC Health Center and encouraged everyone to actively seek government resources and support to benefit the Asian community.

(Article by CCACC Administrative Office)

From left to right: CCACC Board Member and the volunteer physician of CCACC Health Center, Mr. Mo-Ping Chow; Deputy Executive Director of CCACC, Ms. Li-fang C. Liu; CCACC Board Member, Ms. Julie Yang; Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe; Director of CCACC Health Center, Ms. Kate Lu; Former CCACC Executive Director and current Director of CCACC Sports, Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li.

Everyone accompanied Councilmember Balcombe to visit the activity hall on the first floor of the center.

Councilmember Balcombe (center) took a photo in the activity hall on the first floor of the center with Ms. Julie Yang (right), CCACC Board Member and Ms. Kate Lu (left), Director of CCACC Health Center, both of them have a July birthday.

Everyone listened to a presentation by Ms. Kate Lu, Director of CCACC Health Center, in the conference room.