Metta Fund is pleased to announce Anni Chung as the recipient of the 2024 Leadership Award for her decades of advocacy and support of older adults. She received the award at a celebratory reception held on May 23, 2024, where she was also presented with a Certificate of Honor by Mayor London Breed.
For over 40 years, Ms. Chung has served and advocated on behalf of the people of San Francisco through various roles including CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly (SHE); commissioner of the California Commission on Aging; chair of the Digital Inclusion Taskforce; tri-chair of the Elder Abuse on the Family Violence Council; board member of the Asian & Pacific Islander Council; and as producer of Chinese Journal for KTSF-TV 26. A recipient of many awards and accolades, Ms. Chung has been an instrumental force for equity in San Francisco and beyond, playing a key role in the provision of critical services for Bay Area elders.
“Anni’s steadfast dedication to improving the lives of older adults and the AAPI community – alongside her tireless organizing efforts – have helped to ensure elders can age in place in their communities and receive the care they need in a culturally meaningful way” – Janet Y. Spears
“Anni’s steadfast dedication to improving the lives of older adults and the AAPI community – alongside her tireless organizing efforts – have helped to ensure elders can age in place in their communities and receive the care they need in a culturally meaningful way,” said Metta Fund Chief Executive Officer, Janet Y. Spears. “Frankly, Anni’s advocacy has helped San Francisco better prepare for an aging population. We are simply delighted to recognize her accomplishments and commitment to the older adult population with the Metta Fund Leadership Award.”
Anni Chung shared, “I am tremendously honored to receive this recognition and want to thank Metta Fund for its commitment to bringing much needed funding and attention to aging and older adult issues.”
The Metta Fund leadership award program was created in 2021 to recognize the work of community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life for older adults in San Francisco and beyond. The award exemplifies one of the many ways Metta Fund is committed to elevating the public dialogue around aging and equity. In honor of the award recipient, a grant of $10,000 was made to Self-Help for the Elderly (SHE), a community-based organization for mostly immigrant and monolingual Asian elders. SHE began as part of the federal “War on Poverty” Initiative in 1966, and now serves 40,000+ older adults in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties.
Photos from the celebratory reception can be viewed here.