In Memory of Mr. David S. Chen (1949-2024)

We share with heavy hearts the passing of Mr. David S. Chen, an esteemed community leader, former Executive Director of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), and former Chairman of Chung Pak Local Development Corporation. Mr. Chen's legacy is distinguished by an unyielding commitment to the advancement of New York’s Chinese community and the broader Asian American community at large. His passing is met with poignant sorrow, tempered by the celebration of the extraordinary life he lived.

我們懷著無比悲痛的心情，宣佈我們最尊敬的社區領袖、美國華人策劃協會前行政總監、松柏大廈前主席陳受權先生與世長辭。陳受權先生畢身致力於華人移民社區事業，其無私奉獻及卓越領導，永為世人所懷念。

Mr. Chen first arrived in the United States in 1967 to pursue higher education. Bolstered by his involvement in advocacy that began during his college years in Wisconsin, his dedication to community service became evident through volunteer work teaching English in Chicago’s Chinatown. While working for the Mayor's Office in Chicago, Mr. Chen constantly questioned the lack of funding for the Chinese community. In 1980, amidst the challenging era of Chinatown gang activities, Mr. Chen arrived in New York City, where he joined Project Reach, a program of CPC aimed at guiding youth away from troubled paths. As the influx of Chinese immigrants surged in the 1980s, Mr. Chen, alongside other leaders at CPC, expanded and provided comprehensive support and services to meet the growing needs. Serving as the Executive Director from 1992 until 2015, Mr. Chen's visionary leadership transformed CPC from a modest local organization into the largest Asian American social service organization in the United States, offering invaluable support to hundreds of thousands of new immigrants settling in the vibrant landscape of the Big Apple.

陳受權先生於1967年負笈美國求學。早年在威州及芝加哥求學時期便積極參與社區事務，包括在芝城華埠義教英文，及後加入當地市長辦公室工作，他也經常質問為何給予華人社區的經費如此缺乏。陳受權先生於1980年華埠幫派橫行之時從芝城來到紐約，首先加入華策會Project Reach項目，防止青少年誤入歧途，及後隨著中國新移民的大量湧入，他與華策會其他成員積極提升全方位支援與服務，協助無數新移民融入本地社會。從1992年獲委任為行政總監至2015離任，華策會在他的領導下從小型地方組織，演變成為全美國最大型亞裔服務機構。

Beyond the growth and expansion of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Mr. Chen's dedication inspired others to actively contribute to the community's enhancement. He laid the groundwork for a generation of social workers committed to serving Chinatown and New York City through their roles at CPC. Many among them have not only demonstrated excellence in their respective sectors but also cultivated profound connections within the neighborhoods they serve, fostering a robust foundation of trust between the community and the Chinese-American Planning Council. A significant number of these accomplished social workers have ascended to leadership roles across various community organizations and government agencies, upholding Mr. Chen's commitment to public service.

然而，陳受權先生最令人津津樂道的人格魅力並非止於華策會之經營與擴展，而是在他任內，為華埠乃至整個紐約亞裔社區引入了整整一代的社會工作者。他鼓勵社工走入人群，掌握社區脈搏。這批社工在不同的領域皆能獨當一面，他們與陳受權雙向奔赴，朝著共同的目標努力。這對於華裔新移民人口落戶紐約尤其重要，也是華策會獲得社區民眾信任的基石。而且當年的不少社工今日已變成不同社區機構之領導，或轉入政府供職，繼續服務民眾。

Mr. Chen also actively participated in various civic affairs. He was a leader in New York City’s support for the national campaign to seek justice for Vincent Chin after Chin’s 1982 murder in Detroit. Mr. Chen also co-founded and led the Asian American Caucus for Disarmament to give voice to the community's participation in the larger peace movement during the 1980s. Other notable efforts include opposing the Chinatown Jail in the 1980s, spearheading a 12-year advocacy effort that led to the current location of the Open Door Senior Center, serving on the City Charter Revision Commission in 2005 and 2010, protesting against a discriminatory report by Channel 11 in 2007, resisting the reconfiguration of Chatham Square and the location of the trial of 9/11 terrorists being at the federal courthouse near Chinatown in 2009, and endorsing the establishment of the Chinatown Business Improvement District in 2012, among others. These events underscore his relentless pursuit of social justice and earned him the trust and respect of the Chinese community and beyond.

任職華策會35年間，陳受權先生不獨關心自身職位，且以身作則，重視社會事務與維權。1982年底特律華裔陳果仁被殺事件全國亞裔社區沸騰，他便是紐約市的領導者之一。及後他並成立亞裔裁軍聯盟，參與上世紀80年代的大規模和平運動。社區方面，他積極參與80年代華埠反監獄抗議、長達12年的人瑞中心遷址抗爭、2005年及2010年參加紐約市修憲委員會、2007年抗議11號電視台的中餐廳指雞為鼠報道、2009年反對且林市果重建計劃及在華埠法院審理911事件主嫌、還有2012年支持建立商業改進區等，這些事件彰顯其對社區公義之不懈追求，並體現社區組織與民眾之間的緊密關係，而他也在每一事件的參與中贏得民眾的尊重。

Following the Chinatown community’s advocacy against the Chinatown Jail in the 1980s, Mr. Chen assumed a crucial role in supervising the completion of the Chung Pak LDC building in the early 1990s on the neighboring site. The Chung Pak building serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment, providing 88 affordable housing units for seniors and serving as a home to vital community organizations, including the Chung Pak Child Care Center and the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. Mr. Chen maintained his Board Membership of Chung Pak LDC until his passing.

陳受權先生除了長期處理下東城康寧老人大廈業務，華埠在80年代的反監獄抗爭中換回松柏老人大廈項目，也是由陳受權先生接手興建。該大廈於1990年代初完工，提供88戶老人居所，是華埠為數不多的優質房屋，至今社區長者仍趨之若鶩。松柏大廈同時亦為松柏托兒所、王嘉廉社區醫療中心等機構提供服務空間，提升移民社區生活品質。陳受權先生至辭世前仍任松柏大廈董事。

Mr. Chen also served as a Board Member for many community organizations, including the Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation, National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, and Leadership Alliance of NY. Additionally, he was a member of the Community Advisory Board of JP Morgan Chase Bank, NYC’s Commission on the Foster Care of Children, Chancellor’s Asian American Advisory Council of NYC’s Board of Education, Manhattan’s Community Planning Board #3, and Chinese Immigrant Service Agencies Network International.

陳受權先生還在眾多其他機構擔任董事，包括華埠共同發展機構、全國亞太裔家庭反藥物濫用組織、紐約非營利機構協調委員會、紐約公民之兒童委員會、紐約領袖聯盟、大通銀行社區顧問委員會、紐約市寄養兒童委員會、紐約市教育局總監亞裔顧問委員會、曼哈頓第三社區委員會與國際華人移民服務機構聯會等。

Born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong as the youngest of four siblings, Mr. Chen graduated from Diocesan Boys’ School in Hong Kong before immigrating to the United States. It was here that Mr. Chen diverged from his parents' expectations, opting not to pursue a career as a doctor or lawyer. Instead, he was drawn to studying social work and becoming a community organizer. He obtained a BA in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, and MPA in Public and Non-for-Profit Management from New York University to advance his pursuit of making a positive impact. Recognizing the privileges he had been afforded in his own upbringing, Mr. Chen embraced a lifelong commitment to supporting underserved communities to ensure continued access to these important resources as well. Through countless initiatives, he championed causes that touched the lives of many, leaving an enduring impact on the New York Chinese community and beyond.

陳受權先生於上海出生，為四兄弟姐妹中之么兒，襁褓之中便隨父母移居香港，並在當地拔萃男書院就讀至高中。陳受權先生雖出身大富之家，卻沒有跟隨長輩意願成為醫生或律師，而是選擇研習社會工作委身服務貧苦大眾。他先後在威斯康辛大學取得經濟學位、芝加哥大學取得社會服務碩士學位、及紐約大學取得公共及非牟利管理碩士學位，以成就理想。他一生不為名，不為利，不為權，不為錢，全心奉獻改善華人社區的生活，光風霽月；而且矢志不渝，能夠快樂地以一生時間完成此願。

Mr. Chen's dedication was not limited to the community he served throughout his career, but extended to his family as well. He will be remembered as a caring brother, uncle, co-parent alongside his former wife Elaine, and the proud and loving father to their three daughters, Kristin, Lauren and Megan.

陳受權先生的奉獻精神不僅限於一生的社區服務，也延伸到他的家庭。他是一位充滿慈愛的兄弟、叔叔、與前妻曾素嫦共同撫養的三個女兒蔚天、霞天、及穎天俱以乃父為驕傲。

As we bid farewell, let us not mourn the loss but instead celebrate the extraordinary life of a true community leader, David Chen. May he rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to guide us as we navigate the path ahead. The community will always hold him in fond remembrance.

陳受權先生一生活成一束光，照亮自己，溫暖別人，將人性光輝展現於生活中。他無惧困阻，為我們踏平前路，如今紐約華人社區煙火尋常，穩步向前，斯人雖去，然其精神將永遠在我等心中綻放芬芳，也會永遠受到家人、朋友、以及社區懷念。

Ways to Pay Your Respects:

陳受權先生殯儀信息如下:

Funeral viewing hours for Mr. David Chen will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Ng Fook Funeral Services, 36 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013.

2024年3月15日上午9時至12時在華埠五福殯儀館公祭，地址茂比利街36號。

The family requests those who wish to express their remembrances to consider making a contribution to the David S. Chen Memorial Fund at Chung Pak LDC, which will allow the spirit of Mr. Chen’s work to continue benefiting future generations in the community. Checks should be made payable to Chung Pak LDC, noting the David S. Chen Memorial Fund in the memo, and sent to Chung Pak LDC, 96 Baxter Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10013.

陳府敬辭帛金，並建議將心意改為捐款“松柏陳受權紀念基金”（David S. Chen Memorial Fund at Chung Pak)，使他的精神能夠永存，造福社區未來。支票抬頭請寫 Chung Pak LDC，並在備忘錄中註明 David S. Chen 紀念基金，寄至 Chung Pak LDC, 96 Baxter Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10013。

To share memories of Mr. Chen you can also visit his memorial page HERE. 

您若想要分享對陳先生的回憶，請訪問此紀念網頁。

ABOUT CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization that creates positive social change. Founded in 1965, CPC is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization and aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City. CPC is the trusted partner to individuals and families striving to achieve goals in their education, family, community, and career. 

關於華策會
華人策劃協會（簡稱“華策會”）是一個致力於創造正向社會變革的社會服務機構。華策會成立於1965年，是美國最大的亞裔美國人社會服務機構，旨在促進紐約市華裔美國人、移民及低收入社區的社會權益和經濟賦權。華策會是為個人和家庭實現其教育、家庭、社區及職業目標而努力的可信賴機構。

ACERCA DE CPC
El Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) es una organización de servicios sociales que crea un cambio social positivo. Fundada en 1965, CPC es la mayor organización de servicios sociales asiático-americanos del país y su objetivo es promover la capacitación social y económica de las comunidades chino-americanas, inmigrantes y de bajos ingresos de la ciudad de Nueva York. CPC es el socio de confianza de personas y familias que se esfuerzan por alcanzar objetivos en su educación, familia, comunidad y carrera.

Press Coverage: Epoch Times, World Journal, USCNTV