Explore Our Impact
Creating a Place to Belong
Jin Huo Community Inc. was founded to address a growing need among immigrant and refugee seniors in Akron, creating a space centered on connection, culture, and care. Over time, JHC has grown in to a certified adult day program serving seniors through community-based programming and culturally responsive services.
Purna Tamang
Bhutan, Age 70
Purna Tamang, a Bhutanese elder and refugee, experienced significant life transitions after immigrating to the United States, including loss of social status, cultural displacement, and challenges within a multi-generational household. During a difficult season, including a divorce, he began attending Jin Huo Community Inc.’s adult day program.
At the center, Purna found a sense of belonging among peers with similar cultural backgrounds and shared experiences. He built meaningful relationships and developed deep trust in staff, often reaching out to them for support rather than burdening his family. The program became a place of stability, dignity, and connection.
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Purna expressed a strong desire to continue attending, saying, “You need to make me better because I want to go back to the center to be with my friends.” His story reflects how culturally responsive care and community support can restore connection, dignity, and purpose for immigrant and refugee seniors navigating major life transitions.
A Co-Generational Magazine
How We Build a Lasting Community Together
With support from Asian Services in Action (ASIA), we are able to sustain a space where seniors gather, share meals, and build community. These partnerships create the foundation that makes this work possible. But the impact extends beyond services.
Through a co-generational magazine, participants share their stories—memories of home, journeys of migration, and reflections on life. These stories are not only documented, but honored and shared across generations. Together, we are building into a community that will last.
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JHC sponsored Asian Services in Action (ASIA)’s Children, Youth, and Family Services department in the creation of the ASIA & JHC Co-Generational Magazine, a collection of personal stories from JHC’s multicultural seniors. The magazine was created by ASIA’s staff and interns, and was funded by JHC.