Chinese Culture Connection, Inc.

CCC promotes intercultural harmony, strengthens diverse communities and builds bridges between American and Chinese citizens through interactive educational programs and the arts. We aim to reconcile cultural differences and promote positive associations with our multicultural identities. CCC’s programs address the needs of the Asian American community, taking action to reduce education, health, and income disparities by offering free and low-cost educational programs and acculturation services for immigrant families and youth development. CCC serves as the conduit between the Asian immigrant and mainstream communities.

Our History

CCC was founded in 1985 in Reading, Massachusetts, by Catherine Shu, who created an “Intro to Chinese Culture” curriculum for her son’s classroom. The word spread and other teachers requested it. She went on to create Chinese culture curricula for schools, libraries, museums, and community centers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

In 1999, CCC relocated to Malden at the invitation of Mayor Richard C. Howard, to support the growing Asian immigrant population there and to build connections between Asians and the diverse community of Malden and surrounding cities.

When Executive Director Mei Hung joined the organization in 1997, she expanded CCC’s programming to meet the growing need for intercultural awareness and respect. Our programming enables immigrants to find pride in their heritage and reach their full potential as diverse members of American society with much to contribute.

Our Programming

a. East Meets West Cultural Dialogue

This program helps Asian immigrants understand and appreciate American culture while learning to value their own heritage, so that they can better support their American-born children in a culturally appropriate manner, develop positive bi-cultural identities, and fully realize their American dreams.

b. Community Services for Asian / Chinese Immigrants

CCC provides two WeChat outreach support groups, one for seniors, and one for working parents. There is also a hotline for one-on one support if additional help is needed. Support may include immigration assistance, ESL classes, school registration, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, health care access, SNAP (Food Stamps), unemployment and senior benefits, childcare vouchers, community events, and job opportunities. CCC collaborates with Asian Women for Health to educate participants on health care issues in the Asian community and prevention practices. As the program expands, the goal is to include information on steps to citizenship.

c. Youth Leadership and Mentoring Program

High school students gain self-confidence and discover their self-worth via leadership skills training. They practice those skills by mentoring and supporting Malden English Language Learner (ELL) students (4th-5th graders).

d. Chinese Language School

CCC offers a well-rounded program for learners from 5 to 15 years old on Saturdays during the school year. Subjects include Mandarin, Chinese classics, English, Math, calligraphy, creative arts, musical instruments and Chinese martial arts. This program reinforces students’ educational discipline and deepens their cultural understanding.

e. Little Dragon Afterschool Program 

CCC’s “Little Dragon” afterschool program helps children experience and explore Chinese culture, while developing new skills. The program highlights daily Chinese (Mandarin) language instruction, homework, math and English support, as well as science and other rich cultural and art activities. This program is offered for kindergarten through fifth grade students.

f. Summer Enrichment Camp

This program features intensive Mandarin classes, practical math, and English language drills. Other rich cultural and arts activities, such as Chinese brush painting, Gong fu, Erhu, violin, and chess games are also provided.

Our Community

Our constituents are primarily Asian immigrants who speak Chinese and generally fall below the median income level for our area. In the past, most were Cantonese speakers, but in the last 10 or so years, the newcomers have been Mandarin speakers. While some members of our community have college or professional degrees, a significant number have only high school or middle school levels of education. A small percentage are illiterate.

We serve school-aged children in our afterschool program and Chinese language school; school-aged or younger children in our Storytime Program; and adults in our East Meets West (EmW) cultural dialogue, Chinese New Year celebration, and other events. Most children we serve are the children of immigrants, although only 5 to 10% are immigrants themselves. We also work with senior citizens, utilizing a program to support our disadvantaged, isolated, immigrant elder population.

Our Challenges

In Malden, we see a microcosm of the daunting challenges facing Asian immigrants across the United States. Our community experiences high levels of stress, both economic and emotional. A lot of our families are low wage workers, with long and irregular hours. Given their economic status, sometimes they sacrifice parent-child interaction to financially provide for their families. Most of our program participants are women, who feel more comfortable to reach out and participate. Men are less likely to reach out even though they may need the support.

Our Hope

CCC’s programs help our constituents feel that their presence matters given many immigrants have felt that they’re second class citizens.