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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Helen Chen, Director of Brooklyn Older Adult Center at Chinese American Planning Council (CPC)
2:14:42
ยท
157 sec
Helen Chen, representing the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC), testified about the growing Asian American senior population in New York and their unique challenges. She shared a success story of how CPC's Older Adult Center helped a senior secure housing after a decade-long process.
- Over one-third of Asian American seniors in New York live below the poverty line
- More than two-thirds have limited English proficiency
- Chen urged the city to invest in and expand senior services, including meals, delivery services, physical centers, and mental health services
Helen Chen
2:14:42
can you hear me?
2:14:43
Yes.
2:14:43
Thank you.
2:14:45
Good afternoon everyone.
2:14:47
Thank you to chair Hudson and member of committee for the opportunity to testify.
2:14:52
My name is Helen Chang, and I am director of Brooklyn Older Adult Center at the Chinese American Planning Council, CBC, the nation's large Asian American social service organization.
2:15:08
Asian American are the fastest growing population in New York State, and seniors are the fastest growing subset.
2:15:17
Over one in three Asian American senior are live under poverty line.
2:15:22
Over two injury are limited English proficiency.
2:15:27
Their story deserve to be told, and I am here to share one of them.
2:15:33
Mister Liu, a 75 years old member of CBC OAC, was feeling hopeless and facing language barrier when we first time met him.
2:15:46
With no family nearby to rely on, mister Liu came to depend entirely of our OAC for his SNAP and housing applications.
2:15:58
In April 2023, when the housing interview was arranged, mister Liu, our dedicated caseworker, assist mister Liu for processing, accompany him for the critical interviews, completing the paperwork, and serving as trusted translator and advocates.
2:16:21
Finally, mister New secured his stable housing in June of twenty twenty three.
2:16:28
This housing processing took over ten years when the application was submitted.
2:16:36
Our dedicated caseworker did not give up and assisted mister Yu supporting through the whole processing.
2:16:46
We urge the city to invest and expand the senior service like meals, deliver service, our physical centers, and mental health services for our seniors to ensure that more individual like mister Liu can overcome the challenge.
2:17:08
Thank you for the opportunity and appreciate let me to speak on this issue, which is great impact our community.
2:17:18
Thank you.
Crystal Hudson
2:17:19
Thank you so much.