Year 1998
Chinese-Americans Putting Down Roots in Brooklyn
Year 2004
Mayor Visits Homecrest Senior Center
US Congressman Weiner visits Homecrest Community Services
Homecrest is a haven for Chinese
Homecrest Community Services, Inc. Gives Out Flu Shots and Attracts Long Lines
Year 2005
Grand Opening of HCS Bensonhurst Center
Street Naming on behalf of Luther Mook
Street Naming on behalf of Roland Hill
Year 2007
City Councilman promised to get more funding for Homecrest Community Services, Inc. (HCS)
Year 2008
In Memory of Founder – Luther Mook
In Memory of HCS Vice Chairman – Roland Hill
Chinese-Americans Putting Down Roots in Brooklyn
Chinese centers of population are increasing in various neighborhoods of the Borough of Brooklyn, Sunset Park and lower Park Slope. For the past decade they have been home to 20,000 or more people with Chinese ancestral backgrounds. In 1998, however, there are probably another 20 or 30,000 residing also in of Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay and especially in the Homecrest-Gravesend area of Brooklyn.
Homecrest Community Services, the non-profit senior center in Brooklyn serving a largely Asian-American elderly population, is located in the Homecrest Presbyterian Church on Avenue T and East 15th Street, 1 block away from the D train’s Avenue U stop in the Homecrest-Gravesend section. Homecrest Services had celebrated its first year anniversary by sponsoring a neighborhood Senior Citizens Health Fair on Friday, October 23, 1998 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There was a wide variety of free health screenings at the Fai which were offered including vascular, glucose, cholesterol, podiatry, pulmonary, blood pressure, vision, glaucoma, asthma, prostate, stress, strength and nutrition tests.
Lectures were given by medical professionals on topics geared to the elderly such as Geriatric Health, Fall Prevention and Women’s Health. A computerized benefits screening will be available to assist the elderly determine if they are eligible for different entitlement programs such as Medicaid or SSI. There was an information booth set up to assist legal residents who are in danger of losing SSI, Food Stamps or other public benefits as they apply for naturalization.
Sponsors of the Fair include most of the major hospitals and health care institution serving southern Brooklyn including New York Methodist Hospital, Maimonides Medical Center, Victory Memorial Hospital, Coney Island Hospital, Metropolitan Jewish Health Systems, Beth Israel Medical Center (Kings Highway Division) New York Community Hospital, Oxford Health Plans, Cigna Health Care, Health Insurance Plan and Evergreen Surgical Supply Co.
Health Fair supporters include: Jarvie Commonwealth Service, State of New York Office for the Aging, Greater Southern Brooklyn Health Coalition, New York State Health Department, Bergen Beach Youth Organization and numerous friends of the senior center.
New York City May Michael Bloomberg visited Homecrest Community Services, Inc. (HCS) in Brooklyn on July 6th 2004. Bloomberg, in the presence of nearly 300 people, declared that city government is very concerned about the budget for senior centers. He stated that he would consider increasing the funding.
To give the Mayor a big welcome, HCS displayed a paper cutting of Chinese art work and a large banner that read “Welcome Mayor Bloomberg” in both English and Chinese at the entrance of the Homecrest Presbyterian Church where HCS rents space.
The event drew a large crowed and the lobby, were seniors usually gather for leisure activities, filled up with over 200 seats and most of the aisles.
With the help from HCS’s Chairman Don Lee, Bloomberg’s speech was properly translated into the dialect spoken by the seniors.
Mayor Bloomberg said for the past 10 years, the senior population of New York City has increased 79% and Brooklyn, out of all boroughs, has increased the most. Thus, the City government is considering solutions for the funding shortage for Chinese senior centers.
Mayor Bloomberg continued saying that 40% of NYC’s population is not born in American. Immigrants are the most important issue. Among them, Chinese immigrants, particularly, have the greatest effect on the city.
US Congressman Weiner visits Homecrest Community Services
US Congressman Weiner visits Homecrest Community Services which was established in 1997. Congressman Weiner congratulated the Center on its success and stated that he is committed to securing federal funding to support senior and community services.
HCS Chairman Don Lee and staff gave Congressman Weiner a tour of the Center. Mr. Weiner met and spoke with the seniors, played mah-jongg with some of the member and expressed his appreciation for the Center’s services.
Mr. Weiner told the seniors that he was born and raised in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn and he has seen the fast growth of the Asian population in New York City. Mr. Weiner said that he is committed to and will work hard to get more funding for improving education, speeding up the immigration application process and look to provide more housing for the immigrant community.
Homecrest is a haven for Chinese
THE CLACK-CLACK of mah-jongg tiles in a South Brooklyn senior citizen center not long ago would have meant a roomful of Jewish grandmothers.
No more. At the Homecrest Community Services senior center, the grandmothers and grandfathers are nearly all Chinese, and their numbers are growing.
The elders sitting at folding card tables in this homey Brooklyn church basement are enjoying the rewards of family sacrifice.
Many toiled long hours in the restaurants and garment factories of Chinatown so their children could go to school, get good jobs and buy houses in Homecrest.
Their children have repaid their elders by sharing their comfortable homes. All under one roof, the grandparents – when they’re not taking a well-deserved break at the center – baby-sit grandchildren whose parents work to pay the bills.
“Both parents are required to work. Who better to raise children than grandparents?” said Carlton Mitchell, director of the International Center in New York.
“Taking in and caring for aging parents is the cultural norm in China, and that way of thinking hasn’t died out for the newer immigrants,” Mitchell said.
Homecrest’s mah-jongg circle includes grandmas like kwe Pou Chow, who was racing home the other day to care for her 12-year-old grandson and 10-year-old granddaughter.
“My daughters have to work,” said Chow.
She said her daughters, who publish a Chinese daily newspaper, bought a house in Homecrest in 1995 and brought her here from China.
Until seven years ago, the 500 seniors who come to the center in the basement of the Homecrest Presbyterian Church each day had to travel to Chinatown for the company of other elderly Asians.
Now, the need for Asian senior services in this part of Brooklyn has become so strong that Homecrest opened another center nearby expecting to sign up no more than 200 seniors. Instead, more than 600 people have signed up.
“To me it means there is a huge need in the community, a hunger for these services,” said Don Lee, Homecrest Community Services chairman. “It also means they are not thinking in the old way, ‘Let’s go to Chinatown for our services.’ They want to stay in the community. This is home for them.”
The senior’s numbers also show they are part of the thriving Chinese community in Homecrest, a community large and important enough to merit attention from City Hall.
On a recent summer night, Mayor Bloomberg held a town hall meeting in the center, where he answered questions about everything from potholes to local schools.
“For the first time we had a mayor who reached out to the Asian community in a formal way,” said Lee. “I think it showed he recognized the growth and changes in [the neighborhood’s] demographics.”
Daily life in the Homecrest center is not all that different from what goes on in senior centers everywhere: There are ballroom dancing classes and Fourth of July barbecues. Grandparents brag about their offspring’s achievements.
At Homecrest, there are also t’ai chi classes and karaoke. On a recent day, lunch was classic Chinese fare – pork, rice and cabbage.
It was served with a fork.
By Joanne Wasserman Daily News staff writer
jwasserman@edit.nydailynews.com
Homecrest Community Services, Inc. Gives Out Flu Shots and Attracts Long Lines
November 11, 2004
Summary: Seniors withstand cold weather to receive flu shots.
On November 10, New York City’s Department of Health gave out flu shots at Sheepshead Bay’s Homecrest Community Services, Inc. (HCS). Over 750 seniors withstood the cold and long lines to receive a flu shot.
The event began at 9:30 am but there was already a crowd of seniors waiting. HCS’s staff opened their doors and over 300 seniors filled up the lobby. The Department of Health’s representatives gave out ticket numbers and suggest that they go home and return an hour later.
HCS’s Executive Director, Richard Kuo, said that the Department of Health has over 1000 vaccines and that every senior will receive the vaccine.
Bensonhurst’s Mrs. Wong said she received the flu vaccine even though she’s not 65 years old because of her diabetes and asthma.
Aside from Brooklyn residents, queens and Manhattan residents came over to receive the flu shot. Amongst them, one Queens resident came on the November 9th to map out the route. She received the vaccine and happily returned home.
Due to the shortage the Department of Health only gave the vaccine to seniors 65 and older or people with a serious medical condition. Richard Kuo said that the Department of Health originally planned to give the vaccine at the Homecrest Health Center but due to the Health Center’s limited spacing, they decided to give the flu shot at HCS. HCS said that they are very happy to open up their facilities to help the community.
HCS is located at 1413 Avenue T, Brooklyn, NY 11229. They will be administering flu shots on Wednesday, November 17th and 24th from 8:30am to 2:30pm. All seniors will receive the flu shot on a first come: first serve basis. For more information, call (718) 376-4036 for Tiphaine Tsang.
Grand Opening of HCS Bensonhurst Center
HCS Bensonhurst Center celebrated its grand opening, ribbon cutting ceremony on July 1st, 2005 welcomed by a lion dance. York Chan from CCBA, and elected officials, such as Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, and Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling Cohan attended the ceremony to convey their best wishes and regards. The atmosphere was full of lively activity.
This is first Senior Center opened for Asian Americans in Bensonhurst. Thanks to Senator Marty Golden for allocating the funding for the establishment for this new center. He praised HCS for their outstanding service to the Chinese community. HCS Executive director, Richard Kuo and Chairman, Don Lee made speeches and expressed their thanks to the guests. The senior group of Bensonhurst’s also expressed their thanks by singing and performing Tai Chi for the guests as well.
HCS was located on 18th Avenue when it was first established about a year ago in an Italian restaurant. The registration was limited due to the small space and the seniors had to wait on line to go in because it was too crowded. The new center is spacious and open registration now.
Commissioner Guillermo Linares, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Asian Affairs Liaison, Jimmy Yan, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz representative Ms. Jessica Blum presented awards to HCS for their outstanding service to the Asian Community.
State Assemblyman J. Peter Abbate, retired NYPD Deputy Chief Dewey Fong, City Councilman John Liu, Lee’s Association, Taishan Ling Yang Association, Fukenese Association, State Assemblyman Jimmy Meng representative all attended to extend their congratulations.
Street Naming on behalf of Luther Mook – April 9, 2005
The intersection of 14th Street and Ave T in Brooklyn was officially named as “Luther Mook Corner” on April 8th. This is the first street named for a Chinese name in Brooklyn in memory of Mook’s contributions to the Chinese community. This will make his birthplace unforgettable.
The weather was supposed to be cloudy and rainy, but it turned out sunny during the Street Naming Ceremony. All people who made a speech had appreciated Mr. Mook’s eternal love and his positive attitude that brought them a day of sunshine.
Luther Mook served as a Foreign Officer for the U.S. dept of State. He and his two sisters, May and Sarah were born at home in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn E 14th Street and Ave T. The 75 year old Sarah remembers their family has been resident for 100 years and they were the first Asian family in that area. They grow up in the surrounding farmland. By opbserving the community growth and development, the Asian local residents had increased and moved in by 1960. The retired Luther Mook had decided to do something for the Chinese community. Therefore, he established the Homecrest Community Services so the seniors had a place to meet.
HCS Chairman Don Lee remembered, while he hosted the Street Naming Ceremony, Mr. Mook used to lead by inspiring others. He encouraged everyone to work hard to establish HCS. Senator Martin Golden also remembered that Mr. Mook had surprised the seniors for the 6 turkeys that he cooked from his house on Thanksgiving Day.
Councilman Mike Nelson had raised the idea of a Street Naming on behalf of Luther Mook and got approval through the City Council. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and NYS Senator Carl Kruger also attended the ceremony and said Mr. Mook’s had devoted himself and his spirit to the community.
Hundreds of HCS senior members, different organizations and Mary Mook’s grandchildren attended the ceremony. They wish they can continue Mr. Mook’s spirit, fine words and deeds.
In Memory Of Founder – Luther Mook
Luther Mook, born in Brooklyn, New York, served as a Foreign Office for the U. S. Department of Sate. He also served as a member of the Advisory Board of the New York State Office for the Aging. Beginning in 1999, he was the first Vice President of the Greater Southern Brooklyn Health Coalition.
In 2000, he became a member of the Brooklyn Coalition on the Aging. In addition, he was the First Vice Chair of the Council of Community Advisory Boards, New York City Health and Hospital Community Advisory Board.
He was Founder and Chair of the Asian-American Republic Coalition. He also served as Director of Coalition for the New York State Republican Committee.
In 1996, he was elected to the Electoral College, thereby becoming the first Asian ever elected.
As a member of the Brick Presbyterian Church since 1983, he was ordained an elder in 1989. Luther was a graduated B.S. of Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois. (1959)
Upon graduation, he was asked by Dr. Emory Ross, one of the world’s outstanding experts on African affairs and a consultant for the U.S. government, what he intended to do with his life.
Luther replied that he was interested in the foreign service. Dr. Ross immediately sponsored him for a tour with The Experiment in International Living and so spent his first summer after graduation in Africa.
Soon after returning from Africa, he was called into the military service for three years.
Luther returned to civilian life for one year and then was recruited by the U.S. Department for State where he remained until 1991.
In Memory Of HCS Vice Chairman – Roland Hill
Roland Hill was born in MT Carmel-Lancaster County – South Carolina, on December 17, 1907 into a family of nine brothers and sisters. Every year his extended family holds, what was called by an article in National Geographic, the 2nd largest family reunion in the U.S.
He attended Mather Academy S.C. College and at that time he coached high school football, baseball and track to help young boys develop athletic abilities. He served his country during World War II for three and a half years in the 1883rd Aviation Engineers in the China-Burma-India theater and one of his duties was to provide food to the troops, a communal experience. After his service, he spent many years in the restaurant business and ended his career at Ferry Bank Restaurant on One Worth Street as its manager. He was also Vice-President of the Local 2 hotel and Restaurant Employees Union. He saw to it that workers were taken care of in the best tradition of the union movement.
He was a man of passion and strong political beliefs. Yet he was humble because of his Christian values. He went on the 1960 march in Washington to ensure racial equality and brotherhood for all Americans. His dedication to his community led him to serve many groups. He was Vice-President of the 45th Assembly Democratic Club and served on the HHC Coney Island Hospital Advisory Board, Department Of Aging Advisory Board, 61st Police Precinct Advisory Board, Community Board #15 Executive Board, and H.R.A. Advisory Board, to name just a few. Late in his life he worked for Congressman Ed Towns as a Special Assistant and Director of senior citizen problem in the 10th Congressional district.
He was a member of Homecrest Presbyterian Church for 59 years, and as a member and elder his Christian values lead not only himself but the whole church. One of his last projects (with his newest family) was to bring an Asian senior center to the Homecrest Church. With Luther Mook’s and Richard Kuo’s vision he helped develop Homecrest Community Services, Inc. to serve our community. He faithfully served Homecrest Community Services as President and, in his last year, as Vice Chairman.
Roland passed away last year on August 10, 2004. Roland, in his lifetime, was a people person and a man of principle who fought hard for what he believed in. He will be greatly missed.