Kin On opens new C-ID office, expanding services with ribbon cutting celebration

Members of Kin On gather to cut the ribbon for the opening of their new office in Chinatown-International District in Washington on Oct. 29, 2024. Photo by Amelia Kim

Kin On, a cornerstone of culturally-relevant elder care for Seattle's Asian community, celebrated a new chapter with an office relocation and expanded services. The organization moved its Chinatown International District (CID) office from the Pacific Rim building to 715 S. Lane Street.

Board members, staff, partners, and volunteers came together on October 29 for the opening of the new office and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

For almost 40 years, Kin On has been central to the community. Kin On was the nation’s first bilingual Chinese American nursing home catering services non-profit and continues to be a beloved partner in the aging journey of Asian immigrants and elders. Kin On offers workshops, activities, social services, and recreation programs like Mahjong night, tai chi, table tennis, arts and crafts, and karaoke sessions to keep seniors active and socially engaged. 

"Kin On was really built on the foundation, on the belief that we want to take care of our seniors, our elders," said Ketty Hsieh, CEO of Kin On.

Kin On's journey to relocate began in 2020 after its former office was destroyed in a fire that consumed the former Eng Suey Sun Plaza building at 815 S. Weller Street. Though the former office was a temporary home, the limited space restricted it from providing accessible workshops and activities to the community. With the lease expiring, and many seniors still recovering from the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kin On saw the opportunity to reinvest, reestablish, and expand its community-based services in the center of the CID, said Hsieh. 

Grace Lin, a longtime Kin On participant, moved from Bellevue to the C-ID in 2018, drawn by the convenience and accessibility of the services tailored to Asian communities. 

Now nearing her 82nd birthday, Lin has actively participated in Kin On programs, from utilizing nursing home care for her mother and husband to recreational funs like Zumba, yoga, culinary classes, and travel talk that she says were a "best friend" during the pandemic. 

One of her favorite offerings, Virtual Travel Talk, has led seniors to be virtually transported to iconic European and Asian destinations via instructor-led sessions. For participants, these sessions featuring photos, maps, and realistic stories are an imaginative escape by boarding trains and exploring historical museums and landmarks, all within the comfort of their homes.

"You just learn so much," Lin said. "From the slides, the pictures, and the map, everything, and after the two hours, the second you are there…" 

Lin said her curiosity had only grown, and now, she's ready to learn Spanish next. 

Even through a computer screen, Lin emphasized these programs brought comfort while alleviating her adult children's concerns. Despite being distant, the adult children find reassurance in knowing Kin On provides their mother with the appropriate support she needs and social interaction in their absence.

Looking ahead, Kin On’s new location will host expanded workshops like Aging Mastery, set to begin in January 2025, which will be offered in Chinese dialects, Mandarin, and Cantonese, with the new office serving as a convenient hub for seniors, caregivers, and the community. 

"[We are] very happy that we get to be like more in the heart of Chinatown and we get to serve the community here," Yolanda Eng, Fund Development Director, said. "[We are] glad that we have this space to do workshops. I think we make a bigger impact with this more community space that we have."

The new location also brings Kin On closer to key partners, including International Community Health Services (ICHS) Legacy House, and Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), facilitating cross-collaboration and ensuring seniors have immediate and easy access to the services they need. 

"Right now, we are right in the middle with all our partners, such as CISC and ICHS Legacy House," said Carrie Lam, Home Care Director with Kin On. "If our clients need help, we can basically walk them to the facility that they need." 

Kin On is unique as the only nursing services organization in Washington state offering culturally appropriate care for Asian elders. The organization is dedicated to bridging the substantial gaps in the region by providing residential care, family caregiver support programs, and evidence-based health workshops delivered in Chinese dialects.

Beyond workshops, Kin On’s focus includes addressing broader health concerns for seniors, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

According to Hsieh, Kin On Community Wellness and Social Services Department partnership with the Alzheimer's Association reflects a growing dedication to reducing health disparities and tackling cultural stigma around memory-related illnesses. For instance, Kin On recently launched the Dementia Café, the first program of its kind in Washington state offered in Chinese. 

"Our bilingual and trilingual staff have been trained to facilitate various evidence-based health workshops," Lam said.

These support programs include chronic disease management, hypertension and diabetes classes, and fitness activities like tai chi, line dance, and Moving for Better Balance, to enhance fitness and wellness Faye Chien, a Program Director of Community Wellness and Social Services said in her opening remarks. 

"I'm at the age where I'm thinking about my parents or my elders, my aunts and uncles, and all of the health concerns that are coming up," Eng said. "And so knowing that there's a place that is easily accessible for people to learn how to actually take care of your health, those are the ones that I'm most excited for." 

With its 40-year anniversary approaching in 2025, Kin On envisions a future that builds on a long journey of service to the  CID community. 

"We've been here for 40 years, and we really want to be here for another 40 years," Hsieh said. "We really really appreciate the community's support, and we want to be here for the long haul."