Sponsored by The South Coast Chinese Cultural Center

In Collaboration with the City of Irvine

August- December 2021

The City of Irvine is a world-famous destination due to many unique characteristics, such as its abundant cultural diversity, safety ratings, and outstanding school system. The “Irvine Standard” is renowned and attracts thousands of residents to this City to raise their families, especially those of Asian descent. According to the 2019 Census, 44% of the total Irvine population is composed of Asian Americans—one-third of which (35,732 people) are of Chinese descent, a rapidly growing statistic.

Established as the very first Chinese school in Irvine 45 years ago, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCC) has not only grown with this City, but has also experienced and learned to comprehend the needs and struggles of Chinese-American immigrants firsthand. The SCCCC was founded to support the community by responding to these needs. Historically, the SCCCC has devoted tremendous effort to partner with the City, the Irvine Police Department, Irvine Unified School District, and many local organizations and agencies in bridging this multicultural transition, enhancing new understanding and providing resources for the various challenges faced by newcomers and residents alike.

About the Lecture Series

In honor of the City’s 50th anniversary and as part of the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative, the City of Irvine and South Coast Chinese Cultural Center collaborated to offer the We Are Irvine: Living Resource Guide Series for Chinese-Irvine Newcomers, in Mandarin. The nine-series event occurred monthly from August-December 2021. The collective efforts of the City and SCCCC  highlighted lessons learned from Chinese-American immigrants and Irvine residents, and supported new residents by minimizing anxieties due to language barriers, misunderstandings, or other unknowns.

A final lecture series symposium was held December 16 at City Hall. 

 

Series Schedule 

Date & Time  Topic Information

August 26, 2021

6-8 p.m.

Location: Zoom

 

 Lecture 1: Safety is Everybody's Business: Police Resources, Personal Safety, and Crime Prevention 

Speaker: Irvine Police Department 

Contents Covered: Personal safety practices; Driving and traffic safety; Explanation of common police resources; Crime Prevention

 
September 9, 2021

6-8 p.m.

Location: Zoom

 

Lecture 2: Connected: City Budget, Resources and Programs, and Communication Tools

Speakers: Irvine Financial Management and Strategic Planning, Irvine Community Services, and Irvine Public Information Office

Contents Covered: City budget and what that means for residents; City services, programs, and classes; Communication Methods available to residents to request services, submit requests and inquiries, and otherwise stay connected with the City of Irvine.

September 23, 2021

6-8 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Lecture 3: Safe Living: Tools to Protect Me the Most

Speaker: Irvine Police Department 

Contents Covered: Home safety and security systems; Neighborhood watch programs; Hate Crime and Incident Reporting; Ways to stay informed and connected with the Irvine Police Department.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84939971339?pwd=VWZCNXFJSldNU0lZOXNJY1NXbThTdz09#success 

Passcode: 0923
October 7, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Lecture 4: Right From The Start: Historical Overview of Irvine, Irvine as a Master Planned Community, and the Role of Irvine Planning Department and Municipal Code in Preserving the Master Plan.

Speakers: Irvine Historical Society, Irvine Planning Department, and Irvine Code Enforcement Team

Contents Covered: History and characteristics of the City of Irvine; Master planned community and future development; How the City works in the community to ensure good stewardship of the master plan; Unique codes of the City: which codes pertain to homeowners, renters, and landlords?; Concept and role of your HOA and property management; Various City resources provided to residents. 

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89196129621?pwd=UEJUbG9QWFpTODZIM2l0VTNYb3A5QT09#success 

Webinar ID: 891 9612 9621

Passcode: 1007
October 21, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Lecture 5: Quiet Storm: You and Your Family’s Mental Health In a New Culture—Combating Psychological Challenges And Domestic Violence

Speakers: Dr. Inga Yeh and Irvine’s FOR Family staff

Contents Covered: Mental health is not a curse nor a taboo subject at your dinner table; Domestic violence is not gender-biased or a tolerable crime; Why does a happy wife mean a happy life?

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88300700358?pwd=a1VmZG9kTURaN0FSd1Z4Rm5XczY2UT09#success 

Passcode: 1021
November 4, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Zoom 

Lecture 6: To Burp or Not To Burp—Cultural Differences In The New World

Speakers: Carrie Xia (Professor at California State University, Fullerton; U.S. resident for 25 years)

Contents Covered: Basic etiquette; New cultural values.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81739713042?pwd=bGdRa2x1aEpoOU5lUG1LWGF0ZEFWQT09

Passcode: 1104
November 18, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Lecture 7: Education: Irvine Public School System 

Speaker: Irvine Unified School District (IUSD)

Contents Covered: Introduction and information about the Irvine Unified School District, including IUSD priorities, teaching and learning, parent supports and engagement, and more.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81904863737?pwd=dk1Db0VqNlpDYlI0YWdQbWFIa0lSdz09

Passcode: 1118
December 2, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Lecture 8: All Covered: The Importance of Insurance in American Life

Speaker: Simon Saeheng, President of California Asian Insurance and Financial Professional Association (CAIFPA); and Coco Wang, CFP CLTC, CAIFPA Member

Contents Covered: The American medical insurance system; Tax filing and retirement life; Various types of insurance in your daily life.



Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83633991081?pwd=VDJFOFBlQ09rak8zQVZLbC9hdUNTdz09#success 



Passcode: 1202
December 16, 2021

7-9 p.m.

Location: Irvine City Hall

Lecture 9: Disaster-Proof My Home: Expert Education on Home Appliance, Water, Fire, and Electric Safety

Speaker: Orange County Fire Authority Captain Daniel Yeh

Contents Covered: Disaster prevention and preparation; Understanding of home appliances and utility; Comprehension of City and individual emergency evacuation planning.

Register for Sessions

For more information, contact the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center at 949-559-6868 or City of Irvine staff at 949-724-7042.