2016 Fundraising Event
At Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston (THSH), we are constantly striving to fulfill the mission our founding members set out for us. With the support and assistance of the Taiwanese American community, we hope to promote Taiwanese culture and expand our contribution to the American society and increase our influence on mainstream culture.
The primary task of THSH is to maintain and manage the Taiwanese Community Center (TCC), to coordinate and support activities hosted by collaborating organizations, and to optimize utilization of the facilities. THSH routinely sponsors cultural events and various classes and seminars at TCC. In addition, we work with organizations that share the same goals by either offering TCC’s venues for their activities or by planning joint functions for the larger community. We believe that in sharing the talents within the Taiwanese American community and volunteering our physical resources, we work towards achieving a common goal. For example, the Houston Formosan Evergreen Association holds line dancing lessons in TCC classrooms, the Texas Formosa Fishing Association sponsors educational seminars in the large common room, and the Taiwanese American Association uses the space to host major events. Our ultimate goal is to establish TCC as a gathering ground for Taiwanese Americans of all ages in the Greater Houston area. In doing so, we hope to encourage the community to come together on a regular basis to discuss topics of common interest, share information, socialize, and continue life-long learning.
Our mission is to support education and to promote Taiwanese culture and tradition. The Houston Taiwanese School of Language and Culture (HTSLC) has continued to lead the effort in achieving these goals. When the community faced a sharp decline in participating students several years ago, the principal, faculty, and staff of HTSLC revamped the curriculum while maintaining the primary goal of upholding Taiwanese heritage and promoting cultural identity. HTSLC became the first of many community based foreign language schools in Houston to introduce a toddler’s sing-along class in order to engage children starting at a very young age. This year, with seamless transition of leadership and successful partnership of existing and new faculty members, student enrollment and class offerings have reached an all-time high. In this new school year, HTSLC will also recruit Taiwanese language experts from both Taiwan and the United States to develop a new program. This new venture aims to cultivate future educators of the Taiwanese dialect and to make HTSLC the North American epicenter of Taiwanese language education.
THSH also continues to uphold its tradition in community outreach. This year, we will participate in the international art project Be the Peace - Be the Hope to share the spirit of hope, peace and mutual concern with children in refugee camps and the BIG LOVE Cancer Fun Run to support pediatric cancer patients and their families, assist in beautifying the neighborhood by “adopting” Japhet Creek Park, and help educate the public about Taiwanese American culture by taking part in the Missouri City Cultural Exchange Program. In addition, we will continue to contribute to the larger Asian American community by providing support for events at the Asia Society Texas Center. We also seek to incorporate new ideas from second generation Taiwanese Americans and to encourage their participation. With the plans proposed above, we hope to affirm Taiwanese Americans’ contributions to mainstream society.
Recent advances in information technology are rapidly transforming the way we operate and function. Starting last year, THSH began executing plans to transition all aspects of operation electronically. To streamline the work flow, we have implemented software such as NGO Customer Relationship Management system and cloud based Office 365 that best meet the needs of a nonprofit organization. In August of 2016, THSH further introduced an electronic newspaper to better serve our members by providing a more efficient way of disseminating information. Members are updated with news, class schedules, event calendar, and registration information all in real time. This has been very well received by the community. Lastly, we are offering a variety of computer courses and workshops for THSH members.
In the coming year, we hope to help other Taiwanese organizations transition digitally and to consolidate member information to create a database of Taiwanese Americans in the Greater Houston area. We can then analyze this information to better understand the need of our community and design programs that optimize utilization of limited resources.
THSH inherits invaluable experiences from generations of Taiwanese Americans in Houston and possesses the tools needed to adapt to modern technology. In addition, we are powered by an ambitious volunteer work force that bears foresight and spans across three generations. We will put your generous donation to most efficient use. THSH is honored to partner with community and industry leaders like you to achieve the common goal of improving the lives of Taiwanese Americans. The establishment of the Taiwanese Community Center is legendary within our community. With your support and the tireless effort of our volunteers, we are poised to pass on this legacy and build a better future for generations of Taiwanese Americans in the Greater Houston area.
Sincerely,
Wen-Yuan Hsiao
Chairman of the Board
The primary task of THSH is to maintain and manage the Taiwanese Community Center (TCC), to coordinate and support activities hosted by collaborating organizations, and to optimize utilization of the facilities. THSH routinely sponsors cultural events and various classes and seminars at TCC. In addition, we work with organizations that share the same goals by either offering TCC’s venues for their activities or by planning joint functions for the larger community. We believe that in sharing the talents within the Taiwanese American community and volunteering our physical resources, we work towards achieving a common goal. For example, the Houston Formosan Evergreen Association holds line dancing lessons in TCC classrooms, the Texas Formosa Fishing Association sponsors educational seminars in the large common room, and the Taiwanese American Association uses the space to host major events. Our ultimate goal is to establish TCC as a gathering ground for Taiwanese Americans of all ages in the Greater Houston area. In doing so, we hope to encourage the community to come together on a regular basis to discuss topics of common interest, share information, socialize, and continue life-long learning.
Our mission is to support education and to promote Taiwanese culture and tradition. The Houston Taiwanese School of Language and Culture (HTSLC) has continued to lead the effort in achieving these goals. When the community faced a sharp decline in participating students several years ago, the principal, faculty, and staff of HTSLC revamped the curriculum while maintaining the primary goal of upholding Taiwanese heritage and promoting cultural identity. HTSLC became the first of many community based foreign language schools in Houston to introduce a toddler’s sing-along class in order to engage children starting at a very young age. This year, with seamless transition of leadership and successful partnership of existing and new faculty members, student enrollment and class offerings have reached an all-time high. In this new school year, HTSLC will also recruit Taiwanese language experts from both Taiwan and the United States to develop a new program. This new venture aims to cultivate future educators of the Taiwanese dialect and to make HTSLC the North American epicenter of Taiwanese language education.
THSH also continues to uphold its tradition in community outreach. This year, we will participate in the international art project Be the Peace - Be the Hope to share the spirit of hope, peace and mutual concern with children in refugee camps and the BIG LOVE Cancer Fun Run to support pediatric cancer patients and their families, assist in beautifying the neighborhood by “adopting” Japhet Creek Park, and help educate the public about Taiwanese American culture by taking part in the Missouri City Cultural Exchange Program. In addition, we will continue to contribute to the larger Asian American community by providing support for events at the Asia Society Texas Center. We also seek to incorporate new ideas from second generation Taiwanese Americans and to encourage their participation. With the plans proposed above, we hope to affirm Taiwanese Americans’ contributions to mainstream society.
Recent advances in information technology are rapidly transforming the way we operate and function. Starting last year, THSH began executing plans to transition all aspects of operation electronically. To streamline the work flow, we have implemented software such as NGO Customer Relationship Management system and cloud based Office 365 that best meet the needs of a nonprofit organization. In August of 2016, THSH further introduced an electronic newspaper to better serve our members by providing a more efficient way of disseminating information. Members are updated with news, class schedules, event calendar, and registration information all in real time. This has been very well received by the community. Lastly, we are offering a variety of computer courses and workshops for THSH members.
In the coming year, we hope to help other Taiwanese organizations transition digitally and to consolidate member information to create a database of Taiwanese Americans in the Greater Houston area. We can then analyze this information to better understand the need of our community and design programs that optimize utilization of limited resources.
THSH inherits invaluable experiences from generations of Taiwanese Americans in Houston and possesses the tools needed to adapt to modern technology. In addition, we are powered by an ambitious volunteer work force that bears foresight and spans across three generations. We will put your generous donation to most efficient use. THSH is honored to partner with community and industry leaders like you to achieve the common goal of improving the lives of Taiwanese Americans. The establishment of the Taiwanese Community Center is legendary within our community. With your support and the tireless effort of our volunteers, we are poised to pass on this legacy and build a better future for generations of Taiwanese Americans in the Greater Houston area.
Sincerely,
Wen-Yuan Hsiao
Chairman of the Board
Keynote Speech
Lives Changing Lives
The Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston (THSH) is honored to have Dr. Harold Lu, CEO of Taitung Christian Hospital (TCH), and his lovely wife, Ms. Fang-fang Wu, as the keynote speakers for its 2016 fundraising event held on November 12. Upholding the vision of TCH founder Dr. Frank Dennis, Dr. Lu, an expert in medical management, firmly believes that people in Taitung, a remote mountainous region of Taiwan, need TCH and that the troubled TCH must be sustained. He not only saved TCH from the brink of bankruptcy to continue its superior medical services for the local residents but has also during the last decade called on many young medical practitioners to work in the region. Together, they have been delivering loving care to the people from mountaintops to seashore. More than an ordinary hospital, TCH has since become a full-fledged, go-where-the-needs-are Mobile Hospital.
Ms. Fang-fang Wu specializes in addressing child sexual abuse and women's domestic violence and providing marriage counseling and mental health consultation for children with disabilities. In the early days, harsh economic conditions and scant job opportunities in the mountainous region had forced numerous young girls into prostitution. Between 1986 and 1997, Ms. Wu devoted herself to rescuing young prostitutes from the sex trade; she was even beaten by human traffickers during the course. Later, Ms. Wu joined her husband to rebuild, promote, and raise funds for TCH. Their unsurpassed dedication and commitment to the region have inspired countless heartwarming stories.
In this year's fundraising banquet, Dr. Lu and his wife Ms. Fang-fang Wu will share the story of Lives Changing Lives. This promises to be an inspirational event that you won’t want to miss.
Donations for the fundraising event can be made in $50, $100, $200, $500, $1000, or any amount of your choosing. Registration deadline is 10/24/16. Here are different avenues to register and pledge:
1. Register and pledge online.
2. Upon receiving the THSH fundraising letter, fill in the number of attendees and meal preferences and send in your donation with a check payable to THSH in the self-addressed envelope enclosed in the letter.
3. Register at [email protected] and specify the number of attendees, meal preferences, and donation amount. Turn in your donation to the front desk on the fundraising night.
4. Make your pledge to THSH board members, volunteers, or TCC manager.
5. Free admission for students. Please register at [email protected] and identify yourself as "Student."
Following a long tradition, the names of those who donate $1,000 or more will grace the wall of the grand hallway at the Taiwanese Community Center (TCC). Also, your donation is tax-deductible and once submitted, an electronic receipt will be sent to you for your tax filing needs. For paper receipts, please ask at the front desk. If your employer provides matching funds, please use your benefit to double your donation. On behalf of THSH, we thank you for your participation and contribution.
Ms. Fang-fang Wu specializes in addressing child sexual abuse and women's domestic violence and providing marriage counseling and mental health consultation for children with disabilities. In the early days, harsh economic conditions and scant job opportunities in the mountainous region had forced numerous young girls into prostitution. Between 1986 and 1997, Ms. Wu devoted herself to rescuing young prostitutes from the sex trade; she was even beaten by human traffickers during the course. Later, Ms. Wu joined her husband to rebuild, promote, and raise funds for TCH. Their unsurpassed dedication and commitment to the region have inspired countless heartwarming stories.
In this year's fundraising banquet, Dr. Lu and his wife Ms. Fang-fang Wu will share the story of Lives Changing Lives. This promises to be an inspirational event that you won’t want to miss.
Donations for the fundraising event can be made in $50, $100, $200, $500, $1000, or any amount of your choosing. Registration deadline is 10/24/16. Here are different avenues to register and pledge:
1. Register and pledge online.
2. Upon receiving the THSH fundraising letter, fill in the number of attendees and meal preferences and send in your donation with a check payable to THSH in the self-addressed envelope enclosed in the letter.
3. Register at [email protected] and specify the number of attendees, meal preferences, and donation amount. Turn in your donation to the front desk on the fundraising night.
4. Make your pledge to THSH board members, volunteers, or TCC manager.
5. Free admission for students. Please register at [email protected] and identify yourself as "Student."
Following a long tradition, the names of those who donate $1,000 or more will grace the wall of the grand hallway at the Taiwanese Community Center (TCC). Also, your donation is tax-deductible and once submitted, an electronic receipt will be sent to you for your tax filing needs. For paper receipts, please ask at the front desk. If your employer provides matching funds, please use your benefit to double your donation. On behalf of THSH, we thank you for your participation and contribution.