Community Health Fair Sponsored by NW Kidney Center

Last Saturday, CISC's International Family Center-Seattle partnered with ICHS and 21 other organizations to present the 2011 Community Health Fair. The nearly 300 attendees took part in free medical screenings, educational workshops, and outreach navigation to help access health care resources.



They were also treated to samples of healthy soy sauce, kitchen tools, and items to promote physical activity in kids and adults. Everyone enjoyed visiting with NW Kidney Centers' Sidney (the kidney), and practiced dental hygiene on a giant tooth with help from the Tooth Fairy.

A big thanks to all our partners for making this year's Community Health Fair a huge success!

Community Health Fair 2011

Our International Family Center's annual Community Health Fair is coming up - 10am-2pm on Saturday, September 17 at CISC. Take advantage of health screenings and professional advice from the 20 organizations that will be attending. Chinese and Vietnamese interpreters will be available, and a light lunch will be served at noon. Thanks to Northwest Kidney Center for sponsoring the event, and Washington State Hepatitis B Coalition for providing lunch.

For more information, please contact Mabel Kwong at mabelk@cisc-seattle.org or 206-624-5633 x 4151.

Unemployment Benefits: Who, Where, What, and Why

Recently, the International Family Center hosted an Unemployment Benefits workshop for those interested in seeking government assistance during these tough economic times.  The workshop was led by a WorkSource staff member from the Washington State Employment Security Department who provided listeners with information about eligibility, the different ways to apply, and the necessary documents needed when applying. 

Interested in learning more?  There is an upcoming workshop on Wednesday, 4/27 that will discuss how to fill out the Unemployment Benefits application and how to file a weekly claim over the phone or internet. 

Date & Time: Wednesday, 4/27 from 1:30pm-3:00pm

Location: CISC International Family Center – Seattle

611 S Lane St, Seattle WA 98104

For more information, please contact Mabel Kwong (Chinese or English) at (206) 624-5633 x 4151.

Baby Boost Information Fair

On Friday, October 1^st, CISC/International Family Center hosted a Baby Boost Information Fair, sponsored by Solid Ground’s Food Security for Children Program. It was an opportunity for participants to learn about health and nutrition resources and connect with local social service programs. We had 40 families sign-in, with around 35 children and 60 adults. Free childcare was provided during the fair. This gave the parents an opportunity to take their time perusing the information tables, talk to each agency representative and meet other parents. In addition to the information tables, there were safety products, refreshments, giveaways and a raffle drawing for participants.

Community Health Fair

On September 18th, CISC's International Family Center-Seattle, together with International Community Health Services, hosted a Community Health Fair. We had 17 different participating agencies from around King County involved, including Back and Neck Pain Center, Northwest  Kidney Center, Rainier Occupational Medical Center, Washington Osteoporosis Coalition, SHIBA, Swedish Breast Care Center, Swedish Hospital,UW School of Dentistry, Within Reach, UW Expanded Food & Nutrition Educational Program, and more. These agencies offered free medical screenings, educational information sessions, and outreach navigation to help patients find accessible health care in the future. In total, 157 participants took part in the event.

Baby Boost Information Fair

Are you a parent of a baby or expecting one? CISC's International Family Center is holding a free Baby Boost Information Fair on Friday, October 1st. At the fair you'll be able to connect with important social services (including housing, employment services, and health care), learn more about health and nutrition for you and your children, try some delicious and healthy snacks, and get free stuff!

When: Friday, October 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (please be on time)
Where: International Family Center, 611 S Lane St, Seattle
Contact: Mabel Kwong (Chinese/English), 206.624.5633 x 4151
Quang Do (Vietnamese/English), 206.624.5633 x 4152

Community Health Fair

On September 18th, CISC's International Family Center-Seattle, together with International Community Health Services, will be hosting a health fair. Activities will include acupuncture, blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, medical insurance information, and mammogram screenings (pre-registration required).

For more information please contact Cheryl Lee (Chinese or English) at 206.624.5633 x 4150 or Quang Do (Vietnamese or English) at 206.624.5633 x 4152.

Date & Time: Saturday, 9/18, 10:00am-3:00pm
Location: CISC International Family Center-Seattle
611 S Lane St, Seattle WA 98104

Emergency Preparedness Workshop

Disasters happen everywhere. Even in Seattle, where we have earthquakes, windstorms, and flooding. An emergency safety plan can save lives, which is why the International Family Center-Seattle will be having a workshop on Emergency Preparedness on June 3rd. It will be conducted by staff from the City of Seattle's Office of Emergency Management. During this workshop, clients will learn about the hazards we are most likely to face in Washington, how to be safe in different disasters, how to put together an emergency supply kit, and more. Details below:

Date: Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Time: 9:30-11:00am
Location: International Family Center, 611 S Lane St, Seattle WA 98104

For registration and further information, please contact Cheryl Lee at 206.624.5633 x 4150.

CPR Workshops

The Seattle Fire Department Medic II Program will be holding the following two CPR workshops for Vietnamese clients on Monday, April 19th at the International Family Center-Seattle. All participants will become certified after training. Please contact Mabel Kwong at 206.624.5633 x 4151 with any questions.

Infant/Child CPR class (including injury prevention and safety): 10am-12pm
Adult ESL CPR class (including recognizing and understanding heart attacks): 12:30pm-2:30pm

Fall Prevention Certificate Course

The Sunshine Garden Senior Day Care center at CISC is working with Senior Services to hold a fall prevention course in Mandarin. The program, known as "A Matter of Balance," is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels.

The 8-session class is being held every Wednesday from 1-3pm at the International Family Center-Seattle, at 611 S Lane St., starting on April 7th. A $15 fee for the workbook and snacks will be charged. 

For more information, please contact Andes Kong at 206.624.5633 x 4121.

Free Nutrition Cooking Course in Mandarin

The Washington State University King County Extension Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) will be providing a series of 6 nutrition cooking classes at International Family Center-Seattle. Participants will learn how to keep up a healthy, delicious, and affordable diet according to the latest nutrition guidelines. Anyone who takes part in all six classes will receive a small gift, certificate, and a recipe. The presentation will be in Mandarin.

Dates: 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/13, 5/20, and 5/27
Time: 1:30-3pm
Location: CISC/International Family Center-Seattle (611 S Lane St, Seattle, WA 98104)

To register or for more information, please contact Mabel Kwong at (206) 624-5633 x 4151.

Line Dancing Class

Have you ever wanted to try line dancing? CISC's International Family Center held a class last Saturday, and the next session will begin on May 1st. The cost is $24 for 8 weeks. And if you've never seen a line dance before, check out our class in action in the video below.

For more information, contact Mabel Kwong at (206) 624-5633 ext 4151 or mabelk@cisc-seattle.org.

Public Transportation

Big changes in public transit, especially in SE Seattle and SW King County.






Last Friday, representatives from King County Metro and Sound Transit spoke in front of nearly 100 community members on light rail, bus services, ORCA, and the In-Motion Program.


Lots of questions and concerns expressed by attendees who had not heard about these changes.






Seems like we're not the only ones.

Health for All

On Saturday, the International Family Center-Seattle hosted a Community Health Fair open to all.

We had 17 different participating agencies from around King County involved, including Washington Osteoporosis Coalition, Harborview Medical Center, Swedish Breast Care Center, UW School of Dentistry, UW Department of Medicine, International Community Health Services and more.



These agencies offered free medical screenings, educational information sessions, and outreach navigation to help patients find accessible health care in the future.

In total, we had over 200 participants.

We also held a Line Dancing Class performance and two different raffle drawings throughout the afternoon. The comments of the participants were very positive.

Baby Boost

On Thursday, CISC’s International Family Center-Seattle hosted the Baby Boost Information Fair. This fair was sponsored by Solid Ground's Food Security for Children program.


It was an opportunity for participants to learn about health and nutrition resources, connect with local social service programs, and learn about healthy parenting practices.

Over 50 families were in attendance (including some of our own staff who are expecting), and free child care provided during the fair. This gave the parents an opportunity to take their time perusing the information tables, to talk to each agency representative, and to meet other parents while their children played.

In addition to the information tables, there were free feeding, hygiene and safety products, as well as refreshments and door prizes for participants.

There must be something in the water

Big news! Three (yes, 3) of our CISC staff members are expecting babies at the beginning of next year! Congratulations to Karia, Dock Wah and Cathy on their first borns!

And for those of you who are also expecting or have an infant at home, join us at the International Family Center-Seattle on Thursday, October 1 from 10:00 to noon for our annual Baby Boost Fair.

Lots of info and resources on breastfeeding, nutrition, child safety and more. Also free stuff for you to take home. Come and check it out!

Brush Those Teeth!

Last week, the UW School of Dentistry came to the International Family Center-Seattle to talk oral health.





Together with Children's Hospital, they've developed a program for Early Childhood Oral Health and are bringing it to the community.




Parents and kids learned about proper brushing technique, what to look for in a toothbrush, flossing, cavities, fluoride and more exciting stuff.




They also went home with cool gifts too!

...And the Living is Easy

Over 100 people attended the International Family Center-Seattle's annual Summer Family Picnic last week.

This year it was at Pratt Park. Families enjoyed traditional American picnic food: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, and potato salad. Everyone brought snacks and fruit to share.



Both kids and adults had a great time playing fun games like water ballons, shoe toss, and water relays.

Ants in Your Pants

Got ants in your pants? Fleas on your knees? Well, award winning children's singer and songwriter Nancy Stewart and a lot of our young friends do!



Yesterday, the International Family Center-Seattle and Seattle Public Library hosted an afternoon concert featuring fun, songs, and creepy crawly Bee Boppin' Bugs.

This is part of their summer reading program to encourage all kids (and adults) to get out there and read!

Line Dancing at CISC

One of the more popular activities at the International Family Center-Seattle is the Line (not Lion) Dancing group. A fun way to get together, make new friends, and get some exercise at the same time!

For both men and women, this class has been shown to increase heart rate, decrease depression and take years off your figure!

Next session starts July 11. Only $24 for 12 weeks!

Contact Mabel Kwong at mabelk@cisc-seattle.org to register.