Chinese Information Services Center awarded $180k grant

CISC was one of six Washington-based organizations to receive grant from UnitedHealthcare’s Empowering Program.

By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@rentonreporter.com • August 1, 2023 11:30 am
The Chinese Information Services Center (CISC) started in 1972 and opened its Renton location on May 19, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of Chinese Information Services Center)
The Chinese Information Services Center (CISC) started in 1972 and opened its Renton location on May 19, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of Chinese Information Services Center)

On July 25, UnitedHealthcare awarded a grant of $180,000 to Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) in Renton from the Empowering Health program.

A King County-based organization, CISC is a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping immigrants throughout King County by providing information, referrals, advocacy, social services and support services.

“With CISC, they’re very relevant in our community, helping immigrants, children, families. They’re well-positioned and aligned with the program,” said Keith Payet, President and CEO of UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Washington.

Originally started in 1972, CISC has grown throughout King County, with offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and now Renton. The organization offers several programs that include Civic Engagement, Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Family Support, Senior and Disabled Adult Services and Healthcare Access.

“CISC understands that there are many factors that affect health and well-being, and we recently opened up a new extended office in Renton to better serve the people of South King County,” said CISC Executive Director Michael Itti.

The $180,000 grant will go toward expanding culturally relevant programming for adults, children and families, said Itti. This includes support groups, community events and virtual offerings to reduce social isolation and promote community building.

Some of the upcoming CISC events include a four-part event series in August such as a visit to Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands on Aug. 2, where kids and adults can learn about growing vegetables. On Aug. 9, there will be a follow-up event where children can talk about the farm experience and the importance of healthy eating. On Aug. 16, CISC will have an outdoor hike to the Gnome Trail in Maple Valley, and on Aug. 23, there will be an event surrounding the topic of protecting the environment.

CISC is one of six Washington community-based organizations to receive a grant, which totals $1 million and will assist people experiencing challenges such as food access and nutrition, social isolation and behavioral health issues while supporting local health education efforts.

The other organizations to receive grants were Food Lifeline, which received $300,000; Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, which received $200,000; Volunteers of America Eastern Washington, which received $150,000; Step By Step, which received $100,000 and National Alliance on Mental Illness Spokane, which got $70,000.

The Empowering Program is also awarding a total of $11.1 million to organizations across 12 states. The Empowering Program was started in 2018 to give grants to community-based organizations that support people in ways that lead to better health.

According to UnitedHealthcare, identifying and addressing social determinants of health needs is a core aspect of serving its members.

The CISC Renton office is located at 725 Powell Avenue Southwest, Suite 100. For more information, visit cisc-seattle.org.