APA Family Resource Center opens in Chinatown and hosts its first event, “Masked Hero” book talk

(SAN FRANCISCO) APA Family Support Services (APAFSS), which serves children and families in need, opened its Family Resource Center at the heart of San Francisco Chinatown in December. The first public event at the new center will be "Masked Hero" Book Talk on December 23.

The newly-opened Family Resource Center is located at 518 Grant Avenue adjacent to a number of historic buildings and restaurants in Chinatown with a ground floor of 2,000 square feet.

The Resource Center also becomes APAFSS's 7th location for service. An opening ceremony was held on December 7.

Due to limited space for bigger events, APAFSS was in partnership with YMCA in Chinatown for 7 years hosting events at YMCA's facility.

Fanny Lam, Executive Director of APAFSS, said the location and the layout of the new Family Resource Center would be great for their future family events.

GBC International Bank with a branch in San Francisco Chinatown donated over $10,000 at the opening ceremony to support APA's services for children and families.

The Book Talk event at the Resource Center is co-hosted by APAFSS and All American Medical Group (AAMG). Dr. Shan Liu, emergency physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and professor at the Harvard Medical School, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Dr. Liu has recently released her first book "Masked Hero" which is a children's book co-authored with her daughter 5-grader Kaili Gormley.

The book was based on a true story about Dr. Lien-teh Wu who was Liu's great grandfather from her father's side. Dr. Wu invented a medical mask in 1911 to fight the plague in Harbin, China. The widely-spread disease was under control in less than 4 months because of the masks developed by Dr. Wu.

"APAFSS is thrilled to collaborate with AAMG in co-presenting this remarkable book talk event. This collaboration aims to provide children, youth, and families with an extraordinary opportunity to learn and be inspired by the book's powerful message," said Lam.

"The book serves as a testament to the fact that anyone can be a hero, regardless of their origin or circumstances. It offers valuable insights into overcoming challenges and adversity, illuminating the path towards a brighter future," Lam encouraged more children and their parents coming together to the Book Talk during Christmas holidays. "APAFSS are proud to join forces in bringing this enlightening experience to the community empowering families to realize their potential and make a positive impact on society."

AAMG echoed the significance of the upcoming book talk. “AAMG is proud to co-sponsor this important event. We hope that this children’s book serves as both an inspiration and a source of pride to our community. Dr. Wu was truly a hero without a cape who continued to save lives with his pioneering invention," said Dr. Joseph Woo, President of AAMG.

Dr. Liu, who was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Medical School, was delighted to be invited to share her new book with the San Francisco community.

"We hope that the story sends the message that heroes come in all sizes, shapes and races. And that we all have superpowers that can be used to help others. We also want to share that COVID was so hard in so many ways but that this book emerged from all the difficulties we encountered in COVID— sometimes many doors open up when life is challenging!" Dr. Liu said.

Founded in 1987 by Chinese American physician Dr. Don Wong at the San Francisco General Hospital, APAFSS consists of professionals and experienced home visitors who help families with the challenges of raising at-risk young children.

For over three decades, APAFSS has expanded from the San Francisco General Hospital location to 7 offices in 5 neighborhoods throughout the city.

In addition to its main office location and the newly-opened Family Resource Center in Chinatown, other 5 locations are at San Francisco General Hospital, Excelsior, and 3 offices in Visitacion Valley, including Visitacion Valley Community Center, SF Hope Project and Sunnydale Community Village.

APAFSS provides services in 8 languages, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, and Spanish and serves over 8,000 families annually from all ethnicities.