Strengthening Families

CISC utilizes a culturally responsive, strengths-based holistic approach to serve the community. The focus is first on stabilizing, then supporting our community members through skill building. Over the decades, we have developed programs to serve the entire family to help them thrive.

Family Resource Centers

CISC’s Family Resource Centers empower families through culturally and linguistically relevant programs that provide support, skill building, connections, and friendships. We strengthen individuals and families through a multitude of services provided by our bilingual and bicultural staff who respond to the needs of community members. In addition, we enable families to access and navigate government programs related to housing, financial stability, healthcare, and more to resolve issues and improve quality of life. Our Family Resource Centers provide some or all of the following services based on each region’s staff capacity, needs, and resources available:

• Advocacy
• Community building
• Cultural activities
• Employment support and training
• Information & assistance
• Outreach
• Parent and caregiver education
• Parent/caregiver-child activities
• Weekly legal clinic
• Workshops and classes

CISC Seattle Family Resource Center

• Location: CISC Seattle
• Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin

CISC South King County Family Resource Center

• Location: CISC Renton
• Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese

CISC East King County Family Resource Center

• Location: Multiple sites in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond
• Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Anti-Bias and Anti-Hate Program

CISC is a member of the Coalition Against Hate & Bias and The Asian American Foundation’s Anti-Hate City Partners Network. Our strategies aim to increase resilience and safety in our communities. Through networking and strengthening communities that experience racism, bigotry, and other forms of oppression, our bilingual staff collects hate and bias incident reports and assists our clients using trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically relevant practices. Learn about how to report an incident of hate or bias to CISC.

Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, English

Available at:

ESL & Naturalization Classes

Our bilingual and English-only instructors offer virtual video classes for community members seeking U.S. citizenship. We also provide virtual classes for beginner and intermediate levels for English language learners. In addition to assisting in preparing the naturalization application and other required forms, we provide one-on-one mock interviews as needed. This personalized support is designed to help students feel confident and prepared for the naturalization interview. The program also conducts periodic naturalization workshops.

Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin

Available in: Online classes

Legal Clinic

In partnership with the Asian Bar Association of Washington and King County Bar Association, our weekly clinic utilizes volunteer attorneys to provide legal assistance on family, immigration, employment, housing, and discrimination issues. The clinic operates on Tuesday evenings and an appointment is required since space is limited. Interpretation is provided with advance notice.

Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese

Available in:

Community Hub Care Management

In partnership with HealthierHere, our team provides tailored support connecting people to health-related social needs services and benefits including food, utility assistance, healthcare, behavioral health, transportation, job placement, housing, education, and more.

Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian

Available in:

Employment Program

CISC Employment Service Program helps new immigrants and limited English-speaking job seekers succeed in the U.S. job market. We provide resume support, assistance for job applications, interview preparation, and job coaching to empower individuals to overcome barriers and achieve meaningful, sustainable employment.

Languages offered: Cantonese, Mandarin

Available in:

Program Contacts

• Family Resource Centers, Karia Wong, 206-957-8538
• Legal Clinic, Anni Huang, 425-289-8608
• Anti-Bias and Anti-Hate Program, Paul Louey, 206-957-8539
• ESL & Naturalization Classes, Marcella Peng, 206-393-2110
• Community Hub Care Management, Angel Lau, 206-797-8339
• Employment Program, Windy Wu, 206-887-4931