CONTACT: ENERI Communications (312) 635-0888 or info@enericom.net
CAI CAHM Museum Director (773) 878-7090 x. 201
TICKETS: Anneth Houy (773) 878-7090
CAMBODIAN ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS AND
CAMBODIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
HOST “RICE IS LIFE: A REASON TO CELEBRATE”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd
______________________________________________
Sponsor/Ticket Reservation Forms downloadable in pdf at: www.enericom.net/cai
CHICAGO, IL—October 6, 2008 –The Cambodian Association of Illinois (CAI) and Cambodian American Heritage Museum (CAHM) are pleased to announce that they will host, “Rice is Life: A Reason to Celebrate,” the agency’s first Community Leadership Reception and Silent Auction Benefit, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Museum, 2831 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A Silent Auction, consisting of prizes beginning at $100.00 to many valued at thousands of dollars, is expected to be a highlight of the reception.
“This gala event will bring together business and community leaders in support of CAI’s work in the refugee and immigrant community,” said Kompha Seth, Founder and longtime Executive Director (since 1976) of the Cambodian Association of Illinois. “We welcome everyone to visit our latest Museum exhibit, “Cambodian Born Anew,” enjoy traditional Khmer music and dance, and share friendship among new and old friends, all while contributing to a meaningful and important cause in the community.”
Event sponsorships are available at the following levels: Presenting Sponsor $3,500 and up; Gold Sponsor $1,000 and up; Silver Sponsor $500 and up; and VIP Patron at $150 and up. Individual tickets are $50.00 each. Those interested in more details or in donating one or more Silent Auction items that will help raise funds for CAI and CAHM and help identify their organization as a friend of CAI and the clients it serves, should contact Anneth Houy at (773) 878-7090 or by e-mail at anneth.cai@gmail.com by October 10, 2008.
The Cambodian Association of Illinois is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, comprehensive social service organization founded in 1976. For 32 years, CAI has served the needs of Chicago’s Cambodian American community through a wide variety of programs and
services. Child education and development programming, employment services, innovative services for youth, families, and the elderly; dance, sculpture, music, Khmer
language classes, tutoring, after-school programs, and literacy classes providing reading enrichment, health education in diabetes and mental health—all these services and more support CAI’s mission to strengthen the physical, economic, and mental health and well-being of individuals and families in Chicago’s Cambodian community.
Benefit patrons will be able to enjoy a viewing of The Cambodian American Heritage Museum’s latest exhibit, “Cambodia Born Anew,” a major exhibit on Cambodia’s remarkable recovery following years of civil strife and genocide. The exhibit examines Cambodia’s core economy (fishing and rice cultivation), folk arts, education, and Theravada Buddhism, the faith tradition of over 90% of Khmers.
In a previously-released statement during the opening of the Exhibit (September 7, 2008), Charles Daas, Museum Director, noted that, “Cambodia Born Anew is a snapshot of Cambodia today as its people wrestle with how to preserve ancient traditions in the wake of a new global economy. We invite Chicagoans to explore these changes in Cambodian society with us in the coming year through folk art demonstrations, music and dance performances, sculpture and films centering on modern society and the rich tradition of Khmer arts.” The exhibit is particularly poignant as Cambodia rebuilds its civil society, as well as schools, temples and basic infrastructure. Photographs taken by renowned Cambodian photographer Chan Vitharin add vibrancy to the artifacts which chronicle the Southeast Asian nation’s traditions as well as its adaptations to a modern economy. “Cambodia Born Anew” is co-curated by Northern Illinois University’s Anthropology Museum, under the direction of Ann Wright Parsons and anthropologist Dr. Judy Ledgerwood.
For more information about CAI or CAHM, contact (773) 878-7090 or please visit: www.cambodian-association.org
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ABOUT THE CAMBODIAN ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
The Cambodian Association of Illinois (CAI) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, comprehensive social service organization founded in 1976 by a group of Cambodian refugee volunteers responding to the need of Cambodians resettling in Chicago, having fled the tyranny, brutality and torture of the Khmer Rouge genocide in which two million people perished. CAI services some 5,000 Cambodians in Illinois (3,000 in Chicago), all of whom are Cambodian refugees or the children of refugees who escaped the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge’s "Killing Fields." Cambodian Association of Illinois is the only non-profit in the Chicago metropolitan area which provides bi-lingual programming to address the interrelated social and economic needs of the Cambodian American population.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Cambodian Association of Illinois enables refugees and immigrants from Cambodia residing in Illinois, especially those in metropolitan Chicago, to become self-sufficient, productive participants in American society while preserving and enhancing their cultural heritage and community.
SERVICES
For 32 years, CAI has served the needs of Chicago’s Cambodian American community through a wide variety of programs and services. Child education and development programming, employment services, innovative services for youth, families, and the elderly; dance, sculpture, music, Khmer language classes, tutoring, after-school programs, and literacy classes providing reading enrichment, health education in diabetes and mental health—all these services and more support CAI’s mission to strengthen the physical, economic, and mental health and well-being of individuals and families in Chicago’s Cambodian community.
ABOUT THE CAMBODIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM AND
KILLING FIELDS MEMORIAL
Opened in October 2004, the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial is the first museum of its kind in the United States. The museum features Cambodian artists, community artists and Cambodian art; promotes genocide education and awareness and preserves the memory of over two million Cambodian people lost during the Killing Fields through healing and arts. Featured in the museum is the “Wall of Remembrance,” a permanent memorial to the two million Cambodians lost during the Killing Fields (1975-1979) as well as a community and children’s gallery to promote the work of local artists, schools and children/youth. Among the museum’s accomplishments, it has welcomed over 6,000 visitors, mounted three major exhibitions, hosted hundreds of teachers and educators for workshops and seminars and created a genocide curriculum now used in high schools throughout Illinois and the United States.
For more information, please contact (773) 878-7090 or visit www.cambodian-association.org.
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ENERI Communications
"Energy Upon Impact"
tel 312.635.0888
This release/form posted on:
ENERI News Blog
FOR:
Cambodian Association of Illinois
2831 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
tel. 773.878.7090
CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE
CASL SENIOR HOUSING CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY
“AGING- IN- PLACE”
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
IN CHICAGO’S CHINATOWN
_____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR RELEASE CONTACT: (312) 791-0418 x. 3803
September 19, 2008 1 p.m. CST or adminis@caslservice.org www.caslservice.org
(English Media) or Gilbert Lun (Chinese Media)
or ENERI Communications (312) 635-0888
CHICAGO, IL – The Chinese American Service League celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the opening of its CASL Senior Housing center located at 2108 South Princeton Avenue, in Chicago’s Chinatown, with two-day festivities at the center this weekend, today, Friday, September 19, 2008 (11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ceremony and 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Reception), and continuing on Saturday, September 20, 2008 with a Resident and Family Reception, “Ten Years of Celebrating Life,” from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (short program and Open House). (A photo of the Center is downloadable for press use at the link: www.enericom.net/casl (case sensitive) ).
CASL Senior Housing is an apartment development sponsored by the Chinese American Service League and managed by Lifelink Corporation. A seven-story, 91-unit apartment complex designed for the elderly and physically-challenged adults, it houses over 100 residents in 91 units. At any time, there is always a long waiting list of about 400 people who would like to become residents. R.M. Chin & Associates served as project manager for construction of the building, which had its grand opening on September 19, 1998.
Approximately 200 people were in attendance at this morning’s ceremonies, including the residents of the center and Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and City of Chicago Alderman Danny Solis (25th Ward). The ceremonies opened with a traditional lion dance performed by students from Haines Elementary School. George Gilmore, Sr., Project Manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), representing Joseph P. Galvan, HUD Midwest Regional Director, gave remarks. Students aged 3-5 years from CASL’s Child Development Center performed songs; resident Ms. Moy performed an excerpt from Chinese opera; there was also a performance from the resident chorus; and a Tai Chi demonstration by residents. Mark Yun, Family Representative, also gave remarks.
“Today is a special day for all of our senior residents, our wonderful CASL family, and the many friends of our CASL family,” said Raymond M. Chin, longtime CASL Senior Housing Board President (and President of R.M. Chin & Associates), at today’s ceremonies. “Nearly thirty years ago, CASL co-founders Bernie Wong and Esther Wong, and their eight other co-founders had a vision… and the Chinese American Service League was born.”
“Over ten years ago, a group of seniors spoke up about critical housing needs in Chinatown, and Bernie (Wong ) had another vision. She came to me about it. There were town hall meetings. The community weighed in. CASL had the foresight to recognize even more growing needs. Our firm, R.M. Chin & Associates, was proud to serve as project manager for the construction of what would eventually become this wonderful CASL Senior Housing center,” said Chin.
“When our doors finally opened, the response was phenomenal,” said Bernarda Wong, Co-Founder and President of the Chinese American Service League, and Secretary of the CASL Senior Housing Board. “Those seniors that first approached me were right, the need was out there. When the building was up and we were ready to take on applicants, the waiting line went all the way around the whole block… the night before. This became the blessing and sad truth of our building. We will also always be blessed with a wonderful building full of happy clients and a caring staff, but we will always have a waiting list that tops over 400.”
At today’s ceremonies, Wong explained in detail the story of how the center came to be. “Over ten years ago, a number of seniors came to me asking for housing for their fellow senior citizens. We are always good in providing social services, I told them housing was really out of the scope of what we could do. However, these seniors were very persistent. Through the Senior Council, CASL had trained many seniors to become social advocates, teaching them to campaigning for their community’s rights… we must have trained them well. For years those seniors insisted we meet this need, and finally we have no choice but to cave in.”
“When we finally decided that this is a project we must tackle, we faced our first real challenge in finding an appropriate space for the building. We turned to one of Chinatown’s most outstanding leaders, (now the late) Ping Tom, and the Chinese American Development Corporation to find the right space. Without them, none of this could have been possible. With no property to call our own, they allowed us to propose this piece of land to HUD, a critical source for the funding of the project,” said Wong.
“Everyone said we would never get funding, and that for those that did, they said expect to be denied for at least three attempts before you get approved. We did it on our very first application, thanks to great people like City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun. They were truly the engine that drove our application through HUD, and for that, they’re the ones that made this dream possible.”
“Constantly facing challenges, when we were ready to build we had no clue as to how to go about it. Fortunately for all of us, a dedicated friend of CASL, Ray Chin, stepped up and leant us his leadership in monitoring construction. It proved a lasting relationship, and I want to thank Ray for sticking with us now for ten years as president of the CASL Senior Housing Board,” said Wong.
“For those seniors that are here, you can see on their faces how delighted they are to be
a part of this community. Walking down the halls you’ll constantly hear the voices of seniors singing karaoke, the clicking of mahjong tiles, or the stamp of feet as they practice their ballroom dancing and Tai Qi. Together, they are able to age-in-place, and share with each other many memories and smiles as they keep each other young,” concluded Wong.
ABOUT THE CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE
Founded in 1978, the Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL), a 501(c) (3), is the Midwest's largest and most comprehensive social service agency of its type. Housed in the architecturally award-winning Kam L. Liu Building, CASL's over 280 dedicated bilingual and bicultural staff and 300 volunteers annually serve over 17,000 clients. CASL’s $8.3 million budget funds programs that range from job training and child care to financial education and senior health screening. CASL helps families and individuals attain self-sufficiency through services that strengthen their physical, economic and mental well-being. CASL is a United Way partner social service agency located in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. (Kam L. Liu Building, 2141 South Tan Court, corner Princeton Avenue). For more information, please contact (312) 791-0418 or adminis@caslservice.org or visit www.caslservice.org.
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CASL/e
doc id
CASLSrHsg10th91908pr.doc
***********************************************************************************************************
ENERI Communications
"Energy Upon Impact"
tel 312.635.0888
This release/form posted on:
ENERI News Blog
FOR:
Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL)
2141 South Tan Court (Corner Princeton Avenue)
Chicago, Illinois 60616
tel. 312.791.0418
fax 312.791.0509
CASL SENIOR HOUSING CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
IN CHICAGO’S CHINATOWN
______________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (312) 791-0418 x. 3803
adminis@caslservice.org www.caslservice.org
(English Media) or Gilbert Lun (Chinese Media)
or ENERI Communications (312) 635-0888 or info@enericom.net
www.enericom.net/blog
CHICAGO, IL – The Chinese American Service League will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the opening of its CASL Senior Housing center located at 2108 South Princeton Avenue, in Chicago’s Chinatown, with two-day festivities at the center on Friday, September 19, 2008 (11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ceremony and 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Reception), and continuing on Saturday, September 20, 2008 with a Resident and Family Reception, “Ten Years of Celebrating Life,” from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (short program and Open House). Media is invited to attend and cover both celebrations. A photo of the Center is downloadable for press use at the link: www.enericom.net/casl (case sensitive).
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL)
WHAT CASL Senior Housing 10th Anniversary
Celebration
WHEN FRIDAY, September 19, 2008
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ceremony
Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
is scheduled to stop by
(pending final scheduling).
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Reception
SATURDAY, September 20, 2008
“Ten Years of Celebrating Life”
Resident and Family Celebration/Open House
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE CASL Senior Housing Building
2108 South Princeton, Chicago Chinatown, Illinois
CONTACT Stephanie Chan or Emily Bock at CASL
(312) 791-0418 x. 3803
Chinese Media: Gilbert Lun
or ENERI Communications
Irene Cualoping (312) 635-0888 or info@enericom.net
- 30 -
* Street parking. Limited parking in the lot north of the building.
ABOUT THE CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE
Founded in 1978, the Chinese American Service League, Inc. (CASL), a 501(c) (3), is the Midwest's largest and most comprehensive social service agency of its type. Housed in the architecturally award-winning Kam L. Liu Building, CASL's over 280 dedicated bilingual and bicultural staff and 300 volunteers annually serve over 17,000 clients. CASL’s $8.3 million budget funds programs that range from job training and child care to financial education and senior health screening. CASL helps families and individuals attain self-sufficiency through services that strengthen their physical, economic and mental well-being. CASL is a United Way partner social service agency located in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. (Kam L. Liu Building, 2141 South Tan Court, corner Princeton Avenue). For more information, please contact (312) 791-0418 or adminis@caslservice.org or visit www.caslservice.org.
- 30 -
ENERI Communications
“Energy Upon Impact”
tel 312.635.0888
info@enericom.net
www.enericom.net/casl
FOR:
Chinese American Service League, Inc.
2141 South Tan Court (Corner Princeton Avenue)
Chicago, Illinois 60616
tel. 312.791.0418
adminis@caslservice.org
www.caslservice.org
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CASL/e
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CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE TO HOST
13th ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING
SEPTEMBER 8th AT KLEIN CREEK
__________________________________