Honoring 101 Years of Service

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by Ron Chew, OneAmerica Intern

On April 8, OneAmerica joined Tacoma Community House (TCH)  in commemorating TCH’s 101 years of community service at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. TCH, founded in 1910, was created to provide assistance for immigrant communities in Tacoma and to increase understanding between neighbors. It provides high quality services to refugees, immigrants, and English-speaking adults and youth. TCH has grown to serve 3,000 participants from 93 different countries of origin just in the last year. Specific services include adult education, bilingual job assistance, citizenship services, employment assistance, on-the-job training, and youth and young adult programs.

TCH has an impressive history of accomplishments and experienced many firsts in Tacoma. TCH held Tacoma’s first organized kindergarten class, hosted Tacoma’s first nursery school, hired Tacoma’s first African American teacher and opened Tacoma’s first baby clinic. TCH upholds its legacy of community service through the continued contributions of their exceptional staff.

At the April 8 luncheon, special honors were presented to past and present faculty recognizing their achievements and contributions. Candis Carbone, TCH’s Employment Director, was honored for her excellent 36 years of service. Carbone will be retiring in June, but does so holding the title of longest standing employee of the TCH. Reverend Robert Yamashita received the TCH Founder’s Award for his leadership and work in expanding the TCH. Yamashita transformed the organization to focus on Asian Americans and more broadly on refugees and other immigrants who were new to the community. Thanks to Yamashita, TCH has grown to provide quality service to thousands of people every year.

TCH also recognized Joe Stortini with the Nasser Alumni Award. Stortini is recognized for being an outstanding community member. He has served the community as a teacher, coach, legislator, Pierce Country Executive, and now successful restaurateur. Stortini continues to give back to the TCH, whether by cooking spaghetti dinners or offering his restaurant for events. These individuals and others at TCH help to have helped to build the TCH’s 101 years of excellent service.

TCH has been a partner with OneAmerica’s Washington New Americans Program since WNA’s inception in 2009. As a partner, TCH receives funding from WNA to provide naturalization services and assists with the implementation of WNA’s Citizenship Day program. 

Join us for the next Citizenship Day this Saturday, April 16. If you are interested in becoming an American citizen, please visit the Washington New Americans website to sign up for services or call 1-877-926-3924. For more information on the Tacoma Community House, please visit their website.