Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) Orange Patrol
Thursday, April 28, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. PT
Overview:
With the rise of homelessness, pandemic trauma, and the #StopAsianHate Movement, the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) Street Patrol Team (“Toishan-Oakland Chinatown Patrol Team”) consists of over 180 people. The team has been patrolling voluntarily four to eight hours daily, rain or shine, for the last 400 days and counting, providing direct support and services to members of their community.
Join us to hear from Executive Director & Founder, Elaine Peng, and the team as they provide an overview of the program and its development, and describe how they continue to maintain high participation and morale.
Meet the Facilitators
Elaine Peng, Executive Director and Founder of the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC), is a dedicated mental health advocate and educator. The stigma and pain that many Chinese American families often suffer silently as they struggle with mental illness and challenges in navigating a fragmented mental health system has been the driving force behind Elaine’s tireless efforts in advocacy and mental health education. Elaine is a leader and developer of multiple mental health programs for the Chinese American community. She is the recipient of the 2016 NAMI National’s Multicultural Outreach Award, the 2017 NAMI California’s Multicultural Outreach Award, and the 2015-2011 Community Hero awards.
Rachael Chan is a program assistant at the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) and a member of Community for Better Citizens (CBC). Due to her childhood experiences, she has strong empathy for disadvantaged groups. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rachael devoted her time working with the MHACC team for two mobile apps, one for suicide survivors and one for mental health caregivers. Her greatest desire is to do her best and bring warmth and love into this world.
Bruce Ruan is a program assistant at the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC) and he is also an active member of the Toishan-Oakland Chinatown Volunteer Safety Patrol. Bruce spent most of his youth in Oakland Chinatown. Bruce graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. degree with honors in Criminal Justice Studies. Oakland Chinatown is his home and his community. Bruce is a bilingual person, and he always wants to contribute his knowledge and skills back to the Chinatown community. He is proud to be a member of the Oakland Chinatown Volunteer Safety Patrol to serve the Oakland Chinatown community.