Our History

Asian Health & Service Center was first started from a social concern committee of the Chinese Presbyterian Church in 1981. The mission was to witness Christ’s love by serving others. The members were Rev Paul Cheng, Dr. Erik Szeto, Dr. Patrick Chan, Mr. Luke Lee, Mr. Albert Wong, Mr. Bruce Wong and Mr. Warren Chung.

Dr. Szeto, with the help of his mentor, former Congresswoman Edith Green, wrote the proposals to secure funding and established the Center. The initial funding were from Oregon Community Foundation and the Women’s Opportunity Giving Fund of the Presbytery. Congresswoman Edith Green and Senator Ron Wyden were the keynote speakers at our opening ceremony in 1983.

We had a humble beginning in the basement of the Chinese Presbyterian Church, only 600 square feet and 1 1/2 employee!

Chinese Social Service Center established at the Chinese Presbyterian Church.
Fook Lok Woodstock Loaves & Fishes ethnic meal program starts.
Mental Health Program was started with the help of Dr. David Kinzie, in collaboration with Oregon Health Science University Mental Health Program. Dr. Paul Leung (OHSU) has been our devoted medical director since inception.
Funded by private donations and Meyer Memorial Trust, the first Asian foster home in Multnomah County was started.

Tea-Link House, a group home for the mentally ill, was started.
Mr. Holden Leung joined the Center as mental health counselor and subsequently became our CEO in 1998.
Miss Christine Lau joined the Center as mental health counselor and subsequently became our COO in 2000.
With rapid expansion of services, the Center was moved to 3633 SE 35th Place.
Yu Miao Chinese Immersion Preschool started September 1999.
Annual Asian Community Health Fair started.
With expansion of services, our name changed to Asian Health & Service Center.
Expanded Mission: To be the Bridge between Asian and American culture and build a harmonious community. Vision: To reduce health inequity and improve health care quality for all Asians.

With support from the City of Beaverton, AHSC starts services in Beaverton.
Chinese Medicine Clinic starts, in partnership with National College of Natural Medicine.
AHSC receives Model Program Award from Oregon Partnership to Immunize Children.
AHSC receives Public Health Hero Award from Multnomah County Health Department.
AHSC conducted community-based participatory research studies on colon cancer, funded by National Institute of Health, in collaboration with Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University.

AHSC receives Media and Promotion Award from Oregon Partnership to Immunize Children.
Portland office moved to 3430 SE Powell Blvd.
Multnomah County supports AHSC’s Asian seniors ethnic lunch program.
AHSC receives Cultural Leadership award from the office of Healthy Kids of Oregon Health Authority.
AHSC receives Community Service Leadership award from the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.

AHSC receives Exemplary Community Volunteer Effort award from Asian Reporter.
AHSC receives Citizen’s Award from Chinese American Citizen Alliance.
AHSC receives Community Partner Grantee Award from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Oregon & Washington.
Pilot program with FamilyCare Health Plan launched—The Asian Wellness Connection served more than 4,000 members.
In partnership with REACH Community Development, AHSC starts planning to develop new headquarters and affordable housing.
AHSC expands to six offices in SE Portland, Downtown Portland and Beaverton.
Pilot project of the Asian Cancer Resource and Support Services funded by OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
With generous donations from FamilyCare Health Plan, the first Asian Cancer Resource and Support Center will be established inside our Center’s new headquarters.
AHSC awarded Certificate of Appreciation from I’m Healthy (Oregon Health Authority).
AHSC receives Safety-Net Champion Award from the Coalition of Community Health Clinics.
AHSC named regional equity partner with Multnomah County.
AHSC receives Keep Oregon Well Mental Health Heroes Award from Trillium Group.
AHSC contracts to provide Primary Care Clinic in partnership with Rosewood Family Health.

AHSC launches “A Bridge for the New Generation” Capital Campaign to build new headquarters in Lents Town Center.
The project was first conceived in partnership with REACH Community Development in November 2014 (CEO Daniel Valliere).
With the support of the Portland Development Commission Board and Mayor Charlie Hales, the project was approved in June 2015.
The project’s groundbreaking took place on May 24, 2017
Opening ceremonies happened August 8, 2018

Opening Ceremony remarks from Dr. Erik Szeto:

“Our success lies in winning the hearts and love of our communities and communities like you. But let us not forget our true success lies in the lives of the individuals and their families we served. It is our privilege to serve!
Today we are no longer a ROCK,
we are now a CRYSTAL, sparkles and shines
Crystal of many colors
Color of diversity
Color of influence.
Maybe Someday, One day, we will all become a DIAMOND!”

— Dr. Erik Szeto

AHSC Board Chair

AHSC launches COVID-19 Asian Response Teams (CARTs) to provide outreach, information, and resources for basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHSC provides rapid response counseling to alleviate stress and anxiety during the pandemic.
AHSC hosts COVID-19 vaccination clinics to promote vaccine equity for Asian community.
AHSC hosts roundtable discussion on Asian hate crimes in response to surge of violence against Asian community during COVID-19. Participants included U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.