The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) has had a presence in Montgomery County for decades. The nonprofit organization marked its 42nd anniversary in November.
A spokesperson for the organization said the “Center has built a diverse service platform for the Chinese community through collective efforts. As one of the leading nonprofit service organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area, CCACC continues to expand its services and reach, creating a lasting impact.”
The group said it remains committed to its core values. CCACC wants to continue to grow and serve the community.
Services Offered
CCACC offers a variety of services that include health and wellness programs, computer training, art activities, sports, and a host of other events such as music and dance classes.
Next month, CCACC’s Health Center will move from its current site at 9318 Gaither Road in Gaithersburg to a bigger facility at 9298 Gaither Road. The Center will hold an open house at its new facility on Dec. 10. Then, on Dec. 18, the group will offer free Covid-19 vaccine and flu shots to anyone who is uninsured, or whose insurance companies will not pay for these vaccines.
Health Center
CCACC’s Health Center opened its doors in 2003. A group of volunteer doctors help people in the community with their primary care needs.
Kate Lu is the Community Director for the Health Center. She has been with the Health Center for 13 years. Her background is in social work.
She said last year the Health Center treated more than a thousand people which consisted of about 6,000 visits.
She said CCACC works closely with the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Department, and with a division within DHHS called Montgomery Cares.
The goal of Montgomery Cares is to provide medical care to uninsured adults in the County. It coordinates with community-based organizations such as CCACC to help with sick visits, annual check-ups, X-rays, lab tests, access to specialists, and dental care.
“CCACC is the only community based organization that helps serve Asian Americans. We do this with a very limited budget,” Lu said.
While staff and nurse practitioners are paid, the doctors who treat patients are all volunteers.
Free Flu and Covid-19 Vaccines
Now that flu season is here and Covid-19 is still circulating, CCACC is trying to protect the most vulnerable people in its community.
“We want to protect seniors and people with chronic disease. It is important to get them flu and Covid-19 shots,” Lu said.
The Health Center is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. While a free flu and Covid-19 vaccine clinic is set for next month, CCACC sponsors these types of vaccine clinics throughout the year.
Meantime, she wants people to know that the volunteer doctors who work at the Health Center have big hearts. Lu said there also is a great spirit among the staff to support the Health Center’s work. Lu added the Health Center has built up trust from residents over the years. She said the County government and other community partners also back their mission.
Community Outreach
Lu said community outreach is very important. She said about 7,000 people subscribe to CCACC’s newsletter.
For more information about CCACC’s Health Center, contact ccacchealth.org
