By Darrick Lam, President and CEO, ACC Senior Services
Recognizing that California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in June 2019 calling for the creation of a Master Plan for Aging to be developed by December 2020. The Master Plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote an age-friendly California.
In September 2019, I was appointed a Member of the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) to work alongside those who represent a broad array of Californians with an interest in building an age-friendly California, such as older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government, healthcare providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers, and organized labor.
Since the Governor’s Executive Order, the Master Plan for Aging’s Together We Engage campaign has included nine SAC meetings, as well as thirteen Long-Term Services & Supports Subcommittee, six Research Subcommittee, and four Equity Work Group meetings. In between these meetings, countless hours of work took place, including review and consideration of over 240 stakeholder organization recommendation letters and over 1,000 public comments collected via meetings, surveys, email, and nine Webinar Wednesdays. Legislators convened communities to discuss the Master Plan for Aging at six legislative round tables. Throughout the past year, the Master Plan for Aging team has gathered a wide range of input through dozens of Master Plan for Aging forums with associations, local communities, and private sector partners.
This engagement process has culminated in over 800 SAC recommendations to inform the final Master Plan. In September 2020, an executive summary was released by SAC, focusing on Long Term Services and Supports, Housing, Poverty, Equity and Leadership priorities along with over 800 recommendations. The California Health and Human Services Agency and an All Cabinet Work Group are currently reviewing these recommendations and developing the Master Plan for Aging with the Governor. This month, the Governor will release the final Master Plan for Aging, including the State Plan, Local Playbook, and Data Dashboard in alignment with the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force. I look forward to partnering with state and local governments, as well as non-profit and private entities, on implementation of the Master Plan in 2021.
By Lisa Poon, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, ACC Senior Services
2020 is undoubtedly a year we will never forget, yet one most of us are glad to see coming to an end. We kicked off 2020 with the usual excitement that a new year brings – plans to fill up our beautiful new facility, ACC Maple Tree Village; sprucing up ACC Greenhaven Terrace with fresh décor; new window treatments and bed linens at the ACC Care Center; and continuance of lifelong learning and social services provided through ACC Home and Community Based Programs.
And then came the global pandemic. March 2020 is a date that is imprinted in all of our minds, a date where the term “normal” took on a whole new meaning. We’ve seen the pandemic have the most significant impact on our senior population, the very people ACC has been serving every day for almost 50 years. Restrictions on where they can go and whom they can see has put an incredible strain on them and their family caregivers. The cancellation of in-person classes and workshops at ACC has further increased feelings of isolation. We long for the days when we can greet our friends with a hug or a handshake.
However, rather than give in to the urge to raise the white flag, ACC has risen to the challenge and has vowed to keep our seniors healthy and safe, and to provide the best and most “normal” life possible. As 2020 comes to an end, we hope you can make a generous year-end gift to help ACC continue its remarkable work to:
Protect the health and safety of our residents, staff, and volunteers
Keep seniors engaged through new online services such as virtual classes, workshops and support groups
Provide transportation for essential appointments
Create a “No Wrong Door” social services system for our community
Since the last publishing of ACC News, we have spent approximately $73,000 on COVID-19 testing and over $20,000 on Personal Protective Equipment. We ramped up ACC Online Learning with hundreds of seniors participating. With funding from SMUD, ACC purchased 50 laptop computers to help seniors develop computer skills and find employment.
Our employees in skilled nursing, assisted living, and our home and community based program departments have never been so resourceful and are the true heroes of ACC. With your year-end support, they can continue to rise to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
As 2020 comes to an end, we reflect on how much and how quickly ACC and its volunteers have responded to the current health crisis. Early on, people made thousands of cloth masks for ACC. They rushed to donate supplies and their time to help ACC mitigate the crisis.
In May, ACC’s Big Day of Giving saw an outpouring of donations like we’ve never seen before. The virtual telethon raised $160,000, three times the amount raised at last year’s event. In the face of this crisis, we saw a community that cares about others above itself.
All the while, our leadership team was mobilizing the workforce for what has become the deadliest pandemic in 100 years. Most important were the safety measures put in place for our residents, volunteers and staff in early March, which we continue to improve on.
We have stayed on top of PPE procurement, infection control, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Last month, the Care Center expanded its license to provide skilled nursing services at Maple Tree Village (see page 3). ACC Senior Services also transitioned to Zoom to remain connected with the community. We felt it was really important to be open, transparent, and timely with critical information. We held town halls at all our facilities, some more than once. We did the same with our volunteers and employees. When we learned about the first case of COVID-19 at the Care Center, the employees and the Board were notified within hours and families shortly thereafter.
Through all this, we remain passionate about serving this community in the best tradition of ACC. This includes finding new ways of serving our seniors.
In October, we launched ACC online classes, workshops, and concerts. More than 400 people have signed up (visit accsv.org/online). We received a grant from SMUD to purchase and distribute 50 laptops and training to seniors seeking employment (SCSEP program). We are making reassurance calls to residents and continuing to operate ACC Rides for our most vulnerable seniors.
Before the pandemic, we started a “change management” initiative, which looked at how ACC can develop stronger working relationships between volunteers and staff, so that future challenges can be met. Managing our business growth was one of them, but, practically overnight, COVID-19 took center stage. The effects of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come, even with a forthcoming vaccine. This has been factored into our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. We have to embrace change. It is the only way we will move forward in this brave new world.
Last, we want to mention that on Wednesday, December 16, at 6 PM, ACC is having an online musical event, “Home for the Holidays,” to honor the heroes of ACC (see page 12). We encourage you to watch it and make a year-end gift in tribute to the staff, volunteers, and family caregivers who care for our seniors. For nearly 50 years, your philanthropic donations to ACC have spurred growth and service to the community. We want to thank the people who make ACC truly a community of caring – families, staff, volunteers, and our Board of Directors.
On behalf of a grateful organization, we wish you Happy and Healthy Holidays and a bright New Year ahead!
ACC Senior Services has opened up the “Green Zone” at ACC Maple Tree Village as an extension of ACC Care Center. The 16-bed Green Zone provides skilled nursing services to residents with stable health conditions and no history with COVID-19, while allowing the Care Center to manage residents with more acute conditions. On October 29, the Care Center staff converged on Maple Tree Village for a final walk through.
As the U.S. passes 217,000 lives lost to COVID-19, ACC will require more funding to keep our residents and staff safe against this unseen enemy. This fight will extend well into the future, which makes your financial support so important at this time.
To give you an idea of what we are facing, weekly required testing of ACC Care Center staff amounts to $15,000 per week or $60,000 per month. Staff go through PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) at a minimum cost of $3,500 each month. Additionally, restrictions on admissions to our newly built ACC Maple Tree Village and the assisted living at ACC Greenhaven Terrace have resulted in significant losses.
In July, one resident tested positive for the virus followed by several other residents and staff. From the beginning, we have taken every precaution to keep our residents safe, going above and beyond government guidelines. Since August 10th, the ACC Care Center has reported no new cases.
Amidst the pandemic, we are working doubly hard to keep our residents engaged and hopeful. On August 14, we celebrated the 101st birthday of Ms. Chang Hou. ACC Care Center Activity Director, Debbie Williams, arranged for Ms. Hou’s family to celebrate with Ms. Hou outside her window. The temperature outside was 102 degrees, but they were too overcome with joy to feel the heat! Later that afternoon, Ms. Hou’s daughter, Emily, wrote to us saying:
“You are all been trying so hard to keep residents healthy, to keep this place going. It is a very difficult time mentally and financially. With the care you guys provide, mom is eating and sleeping well. She told me she is happy. I asked her did the worker love you and she said yes. Good to see her smile. Thank you so much for everything.”
The family of Ms. Chang Hou celebrates her 101st birthday outside her window. Activity Director Debbie Williams looks on.
Your donation will help more residents like Ms. Hou and our care staff, who work under tough conditions, accepting the risks that come with protecting our residents. They go home to families that are worried, but supportive of their mission. We are grateful to them and to you for supporting ACC in this time of need.
Best regards,
Jean Shiomoto Chair of the Board ACC Senior Services
Darrick Lam, MSW, MBA President/Chief Executive Officer ACC Senior Services
In these times of COVID-19, we miss our wonderful volunteers. Your generosity and dedication to ACC makes ACC what it is today. While the administrative center is closed and onsite events are cancelled, we still need our valued volunteers. If you would like to continue helping ACC while you are sheltering at home, we have several opportunities that might interest you that are listed below.
SCSEP needs someone to
Help make phone calls to participants who are at home now and can help with mandatory online training
Help train participants on smart phone and computer basics
TEAM/CHANGES needs
Volunteers who speak other languages to help translate for non-English speaking clients (the goal would be to have a dedicated group that could be called upon when needed)
Volunteers (ESL focused) who are part of other groups and could get materials out about utilities assistance
Mickey Yamadera
Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable volunteer who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for ACC for decades is now living in ACC’s “community of caring” that she helped create. Read Mickey’s story.
Marketing needs help with
Editorial writing for the print and online newsletters
Production assistance for online streaming content
ACC Needs Clerical Support to
Help take and type up meeting minutes
Volunteers Needed to Make Reassurance Calls to
GT IL Residents
Rides participants
If you are interested in helping with any of these opportunities, please contact Dave Lin at dlin@accsv.org or (916) 394-6399 x 143. As always, thank you for your generous support of ACC!
Even before the pandemic, life as a caregiver was challenging. Now with COVID-19 redefining our life every day, caregivers are faced with more physical, emotional, and financial burdens that are too much to bear.
More than 40 million people in the U.S. provide day-to-day care for their loved ones in addition to fulfilling their own life responsibilities. Older women care for their spouses with dementia while trying to manage multiple chronic conditions and diminishing mobility. Middle-age adults known as the “Sandwich Generation” help out aging parents while being responsible for the well-being of their children. Millennials have to set aside their aspirations in life and be the primary caregiver for their boomer parents or siblings with severe disabilities. They find that the caregiving journey can be very lonely, unpredictable, and draining, both physically and emotionally.
Caregiving in the Pandemic
“Deprived of social outlets and support, many caregivers and their loved ones are noticing difficulties with their mental health,” says Soojin Yoo, MSW
Even in normal times, society provided less than adequate social support for this vulnerable population. Now caregiving families are left to their own devices when many of these care resources, formal and informal, are no longer available. In-person day programs, social enrichment activities, and support groups are closed. Family members and relatives who usually share caregiving duties stopped visiting due to the fear of the virus. It takes extra time and energy to make a medical appointment or arrange rehab services, if available. Hiring in-home help is an extremely anxiety-inducing task for some families, who chose rather to provide care without any respite.
Deprived of social outlets and support, many caregivers and their loved ones are noticing difficulties with their mental health. Constant worries and vigilance are tiring. People with dementia do not understand this new reality and this can make proper caregiving more stressful. Family relationships are affected when disagreements and conflicts build up. Caregivers whose loved ones are at care facilities mourn the loss of in-person contact and companionship. Working caregivers, who lost their jobs, have to deal with their own financial insecurity and fear of not being able to provide for their care receivers, as well. It is not surprising that caregiving families are increasingly suffering from issues such as anxiety, sleep problems, and depression.
Judy Fong’s husband Gary uses ACC Rides to get to his dialysis appointments. “We know he is in good hands for the next few hours,” she says.
Yet, it is more important than ever for the caregivers to pay attention to their self-care and mobilize any resources they can use to support them through this difficult time. Caregiving is more manageable and rewarding when the caregivers are surrounded by people who are willing to listen and help problem-solve.
Please take some time to assess your level of physical strain and mental stress. Do not hesitate to ask for help from your network of friends and families. Utilize professional help available in your community. The ACC Caregiver Support Program has proudly served caregiving families in Sacramento County since 2008. Care assessments and consultations, benefit reviews, service referrals, and support groups continue to be provided via phone calls, email, mail, and online at no cost.
At one point in our lives, we may all find ourselves in the position of caring for someone we hold dear. It is the most private and precious act of love, but requires the collective efforts from people around us and broader society to be successful. Please remember that you are not alone in this journey and reach out for help.
In 2008, Linda Revilla came to ACC with a PhD in Psychology, but she was no ordinary academic. She was a people person with a knack for turning ideas into full-blown community programs. In the past 12 years, Linda transformed ACC Programs into a vital community resource, improving the lives of seniors and their family caregivers by the thousands. She put ACC Programs on the map of the region and nurtured ACC into people’s hearts.
Linda is leaving ACC Senior Services as the Program Director to become the Director of Programs at Meals on Wheels by ACC. ACC recognizes her commitment to shepherding ACC Programs through a period of tremendous growth.
Linda grew up in a family that placed high value on participating in community activities by including everyone who wanted to join. Many of her childhood memories are of her mom serving as a room parent for her kids when they were in elementary school while her father coached Little League games. Even though both her parents worked full-time, they always found time to volunteer and to make a difference where they lived.
In ACC, Linda found a place that shared her values. Everyone believed older adults had the capacity to live fulfilling and independent lives and wanted to figure out how to make that happen. Linda was hired for her grant writing and program development experience. She quickly got busy building up programs and embracing volunteers to join forces with her.
Over her 12-year tenure, Linda developed the Lifelong Learning and Wellness Program, 65-70 classes, clubs, and activities that met every week at the ACC Campus. She implemented Bridge to Healthy Families, a program to improve access to comprehensive support services for family caregivers; respite care through the Friendly Visitors Program, where volunteers serve as friendly companions to seniors or people with disabilities; and SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) a community service and work-based job training program for older adults. Many other programs have come and gone depending on the needs of the community and the availability of funding.
With Liana Ma
With Janice Joe
With Jean Chew
With Soojin Yoo, Judie Higashi, Kathleen Yee, and Bonnie Rea
With Susan Sarinas
Packing lunches for the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
Moderating a town hall on aging
Emcee at the Big Day of Giving 2019
Big Day of Giving with Darrick Lam and Tina Macuha
With Chao Nguyen and Anna Su
With Paul Quong and Anna Su
With Janet Sakata
Linda says her favorite grant was from Sac Metro Art Program. This grant funded classes in playwriting, acting, dancing and performance. At the end of the grant period, the students came together and performed a play written by one of the them, Pattie Hashimoto. The effect was lasting. Over the past 10 years, with volunteer Glenn Watanabe, ACC developed an outstanding ukulele, guitar, singing, and hula program. The community has come to recognize the talents of the students when they perform at senior centers and community celebrations.
One of Linda’s most memorable moments was her first-time ride with ACC Rides, the transportation program started by Virginia Wieneke in 2003. She rode with volunteer drivers Ken Ito and Ann Okamura. Linda appreciated the independence the program gave to older adults but was very impressed with the level of care and friendliness the volunteers gave to the riders.
Whether people were introduced to ACC through the Care Center, looking for senior classes, or in need of assistance, Linda brought many of them into ACC to teach a class, participate in community celebrations, or volunteer in some capacity. Linda knew and valued the volunteers and their great capacity to enrich their lives and others by participating in ACC. The connections she made with them encouraged many of them to continue their involvement with ACC for many years.
Linda shared that one of her favorite things the volunteers and participants would do over the years is to bring sweets to the office — Janet Sakata’s apple pie, Gee Kong’s pear pie, Keiko Damon’s weekly cookies, Sheri Morishita’s blueberry mochi and dips, Jean Shiomoto’s baked treats, Michelle Ogata’s desserts, and Pattie Hashimoto’s holiday treats. And, of course, Alfred Yee’s lunches at ACC were always a highlight.
ACC has a firm policy of keeping classes and programs affordable to anyone who wants to participate. This made funding rather challenging at times and Linda saw Big Day of Giving as a great opportunity to help raise money for programs. In 2014, Linda began showcasing ACC’s programs and made it a community event. It raised $9,000. ACC’s success was even recognized one year on the front page of the Sacramento Bee! This year, BDoG raised $160,000, breaking the all-time fundraising record for a single event. It highlighted all areas of ACC Senior Services in its first ever telethon.
International Fashion Show at The Big Day of Giving 2019
Recently, Meals on Wheels by ACC recognized its participants would do well to have its program services expand and developed a Director of Programs position. Linda saw this as an opportunity to grow new programs from scratch. She knew with her experience, knowledge, and the ethos of valuing volunteers and community she would create something great for them.
Outside of ACC Linda is active with the Alzheimer’s Association, Yolo Hospice, and UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Currently, she is a mentor for the Big Day of Giving organization, and sits on the Community Advisory Board for UC Davis, and API Advisory Council for the Alzheimer’s Association.
It is with utmost admiration and gratitude that ACC honors Linda Revilla for her lasting contributions to our community, made with so much love and care.
Along Came Linda
A special song dedicated to Linda Revilla
Louise Joyce, Director of Community Development, Yolo Hospice…
“Linda understood that the conversation with our seniors in regards to end-of-life issues were limited, so she collaborated with Yolo Hospice on several events. Her ever present and endless commitment to the service of our seniors is a delight to behold. She never stops listening, paying attention and meeting their needs in creative ways.”
Bonnie Rae, Family Care Specialist, Alzheimer’s Association, N. Cal and N. Nevada Chapter…
“I met Linda when I was completing my Master in Social Work (MSW) degree. She was one of my supervisors for my internship. She, along with my other supervisors, mentored me throughout the academic year and beyond. I give credit to Linda for helping me develop skills in micro-, meso-, and macro-practice of social work. She is one of the reasons why I have an interest in grant writing and program development. Of all the years of knowing and collaborating with Linda, I would have to say we have done some of our best work together over food.”
Glenn Watanabe, Music Volunteer, ACC Senior Services…
“Linda might not have realized it then but she became our first booking agent when she asked us to perform at the annual ACC Open House. Since then, the Pocket Pickers and newer ukulele and guitar groups have performed at sister agencies, the Crocker Art Museum and all the Big Day of Giving and holiday concerts, just to name a few. Linda recognized early on that it really wasn’t about the ukulele but the seniors learning new skills, socializing and giving back to our communities.”
Oanh Meyer, PhD, MAS, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine…
“I’ve known Linda for a couple of years through my research studies in the community. She has been a valuable source of information throughout the years and is currently serving on my community advisory board through the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. I very much appreciate all the knowledge and insight she has provided!“
ACC has served the Sacramento community since the early 1970s. Long on vision and strong on planning, ACC has enjoyed tremendous growth decade after decade. Next year, ACC will celebrate its 50-year anniversary. But its work doesn’t stop there.
On August 18, 2020, ACC rolled out its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at a virtual town hall meeting attended by approximately 80 ACC staff, members of the Board, volunteers, and key stakeholders. This was the culmination of a one-day strategic planning retreat held last year on August 17th and twelve meetings of the ACC Executive Committee and Executive Management team since then.
Attendees of the strategic planning retreat worked collaboratively to develop the four key goals and then the ACC Executive Team and the Executive Committee developed the action plan and guiding principles to achieve them. The ACC Board of Directors approved the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan at the August 31, 2020 Board meeting with the theme of Honoring the Past – Transforming for the Future. The Goals are:
Goal #1: To be a premier provider of community and residential services focused on creating meaningful life experiences for older adults and their families
Goal #2: To develop a business model that spurs program growth and charitable giving, while ensuring high levels of quality services and financial stability
Goal #3: To be the preferred employer of an engaged workforce by supporting professional development and the collective contributions of our staff
Goal #4: To cultivate an organization-wide culture where volunteers and staff work hand-in-hand to fulfill the vision and mission of ACC Senior Services
The COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s racial issues played a role in developing these goals. They have broadened our view of health and safety and our responsibilities to the greater community. ACC will remain clear-eyed and proactive about handling these and other exigencies that will come our way.
As part of its continuum of care strategy, ACC invested in assisted living with the construction of ACC Maple Tree Village, shown here.
The 2021-2025 Strategic Plan will be guided by the following principles:
Emphasizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Ensuring Financial Sustainability
Reshaping Services & Programs with Technology
Reimagining Volunteer Engagement
Enhancing Social Interaction
The Five-Year Strategic Plan lists specific strategies under each goal. These include:
Creating a holistic environment at ACC where clients, residents, families, volunteers and staff have opportunities to nurture their body, mind, and spirit
Promoting ACC in the community as a thought leader and trusted expert on aging issues and best practices
Increasing transportation services to older adults living in ACC residential communities as well as those living at home
Developing a plan to remodel the Care Center and/or build an additional post-acute facility to maintain ACC’s viability and improve the level of resident privacy and self-direction
Evaluating the efficacy of ACC adding or collaborating on affordable housing options for seniors
Continuing to integrate services throughout ACC, eliminate siloed thinking, and promote teamwork across program lines
Developing a robust Intergenerational Program, engaging the local community throughout all ACC divisions to enhance community service and connectedness
Establishing a viable fundraising and endowment plan to sustain current programs and enable future growth of ACC
Expanding the Career Advancement Program (CAP) to include all employees and develop additional modules to meet employee development needs
Developing and scaling ACC’s unique “Community of Caring” brand throughout the community
Exploring and developing options to attract and retain high quality staff
Cultivating an ACC Core Value-driven workforce including both staff and volunteers.
Promoting communication, mutual understanding, and respect among staff and volunteers
Each of these strategies (and there are many more) has an action plan and owners assigned to them. ACC’s Executive Management Team will report quarterly to the ACC Board of Directors on the progress of the strategies and action plans. The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually, adjustments made as needed, and shared with the ACC Community.
Amidst all this, ACC is prepared to adapt to future changes in the marketplace. The number of older adults and their life expectancy will continue to rise, driving more demand for assisted-living, memory care, and in-home services. More social services and life-long learning programs will be needed too.
The Strategic Plan also calls for developing a strong culture of philanthropy and business innovation. The Big Day of Giving held in May raised a record-breaking $160,000, a clear indicator that the community is passionate about what ACC does. Jean Shiomoto, our Board Chair, believes that the challenge in the next five years is to create more opportunities for philanthropic donations and creating endowments that will lead to new, impactful programs for seniors.
ACC’s stature in the community has risen over five decades. People and other institutions will continue to seek ACC’s views on a range of healthcare and social issues, especially those that affect underserved seniors and people of color. Because of this, ACC needs to move in the direction of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are no longer just serving the Asian community.
ACC is already seeing a more diverse workforce and client base, but there is more work to be done. The transformation will continue in the next five years.
With her recent move to ACC Maple Tree Village, Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable woman who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for ACC for decades is now living within ACC’s “community of caring” that she helped create.
Fellow long-time volunteer Frances Lee remembers meeting Mickey around 1983. She says, “After Mickey retired from the State of California, she volunteered at the ACC office on 6th and V Streets, working with Joyce Sakai and Dona OwFook, who were running the office at the time. Mickey and her late husband George were both bingo volunteers. Each session needed 22 volunteers. She worked tirelessly on staffing. Mickey also sold bingo paper on the floor, and George was a bingo caller.”
Mickey with Diane Van Maren at the ACC Maple Tree Village groundbreaking in 2018
Mickey was also ACC’s treasurer for many years. She kept a file card system with names, addresses, and information on what donors and volunteers did. She clipped and saved obituaries of people who passed away. All this information helped friends of ACC give “koden,” which is the Japanese practice of giving money to the family of the deceased.
“These were a substantial portion of our donations,” says Donna Yee, the former CEO of ACC Senior Services. “The koden list often gave rise to a retelling of many stories of families and relationships, a practice that imbued staff with knowledge and a real sense of the culture of caring at ACC. We learned through this oral history how families were linked before and after WWII and through marriages, divorces, celebrations and tragedies.”
Mickey served on the ACC Craft and Bake Sale Committee from the very beginning in the 1980s. She constantly made calls for food and other items to sell. Says Donna, “Mickey could get all kinds of people to do so many things they never thought they could do.” Frances agrees, “If you have ever gotten a call from Mickey, you know it’s hard to say no.”
“The backbone of ACC has been its exceptionally dedicated volunteers. Mickey embodies that spirit, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives!”
Gloria Imagire
Hach Yasumura met Mickey at work in 1962, while working at the Department of Motor Vehicles. He had just moved from Long Beach to Sacramento. She invited him to her church, Pioneer Methodist Church, which is now Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC). He recalls, “Mickey-san was part of the group when we did an initial outreach to the churches about the plans for the Asian Community Center’s housing for the elderly under the leadership of Leo Goto. She was there to support some of her friends from church: Leo Goto, Gloria Imagire, and Yasushi Chewy Ito. Mickey-san is a team player, whether it was for her family, her relatives and friends, at church, at DMV, or for the Girls Scouts. She was always there to help.”
Mickey’s Girl Scout Reunion in 2012 at the Aviators Restaurant. Photo by Susan (Okubo) Matsuura.
Glenn Watanabe met Mickey in 1978. He transported Tanoshimi Kai participants in ACC’s 14-passenger van to SJUMC, where Mickey helped organize weekly luncheons for them. “I liked her immediately,” he says. During the bingo era, Glenn called numbers alongside Mickey’s husband George.
In 2007, Mickey recommended Glenn as a committee and board member. “I remember talking with Donna Yee, asking why ACC would take that risk on me when they didn’t know me that well,” says Glenn. “Donna laughed and said that although I was thoroughly vetted, it was Mickey’s endorsement that actually sealed the deal. That’s how much respect and admiration Mickey garnered through all her years serving ACC as a volunteer and officer.”
Mickey at last year’s ACC Bingo Volunteer Reunion with daughter Karen Tredway in the background.
Mickey has always been a doer, one who makes a lasting impression on the people she works with. “Mickey’s life is one of perseverance, patience, hopeful optimism, and grit,” says Donna. “She listens compassionately to the problems and tragedies of others, not to compare or compete, but with pure empathy and appreciation for the fortitude and strength of others.”
She was always there to help and support, says Hach. “She always has a pleasant smile to greet you. She would share her laughter with you and she was there to share your sadness.”
