Sophia Shen has dedicated more than 20 years to education and community service. With a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University, she has worked closely with children and adults with developmental disabilities, helping them reach their fullest potential. Sophia is passionate about bringing education to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to thrive and live with confidence. She also has a deep desire to support their families — spreading hope and sharing joy, and letting them know that they are not alone on their journey. Sophia has a heart for new immigrants and families who are building a new life in the East Bay. Her passion for giving back and creating a sense of belonging is at the heart of her work. As Executive Director of Helping Hands East Bay, Sophia is committed to fostering a caring community where everyone is valued, supported, and empowered to flourish. Contact: [email protected]
Khiet Long, M.A., Chair
Khiet Long has experience in providing case management services to families experiencing complicated situations such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health issues and intellectual disability. All of these situations are challenging and it seems that there are never enough resources to completely resolve these issues. Not being discouraged, Khiet continues to work in this field and provides services to assist families in crisis.
Esther C. Chow, M.S.W., Founder & Vice Chair
Esther C. Chow is a graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work. She has over 35 years of experience in serving low income, underserved Asian communities in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Alameda County, California. Her various professional capacities included hospital social worker, developmental disabilities services case manager, community outreach and parent education coordinator, grant writer and project director of prevention mental health services programs. Having successfully raised a son with developmental disabilities, Esther wanted to give back to the community and empower other Asian immigrant families in similar situation. This was the reason for her starting Helping Hands East Bay in August 2015 and leading the organization for 10 years. Esther was honored by Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services in 2016 for her dedicated services to the API communities. She was the recipient of Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Planning Council's Bernie Graf Excellence in Service Award in 2020.
Tommy Yin Lam Cheuk, M.S., Treasurer
Tommy Cheuk is a System Engineer, graduated from UC Davis with a master degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2009. Tommy and his family first immigrated from Hong Kong in 2002. Through first hand experience, Tommy understands the powerlessness of new immigrants to seek help for family members with developmental disabilities. Tommy would like to apply his experience to inform more families of the resources available to them, so that they can be proactive and support family members with special needs to reach their full potential.
Bernice Chee, M.Ed., M.A., Secretary
Bernice Chee is a graduate of Queen’s University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She worked with the Chinese immigrant communities in Boston and Oakland, as the Director of Children’s Ministries in a Chinatown-based church, and also as a volunteer at various churches, schools, and non-profits. She also studied the use of technology for children with special needs at a non-profit research organization. She currently enjoys taking care of her family, her cats, and volunteering at school and in the community.
Lai Meng Ieong, LMFT, Board Member
Lai Meng Ieong is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She is currently a behavioral health clinician in Alameda County. Lai Meng has many years of experience in the field of mental health and behavioral health, working with a diverse population of all ages. Lai Meng previously served as a manager at HHEB where she started the day program. Lai Meng has a passion for helping individuals with developmental disabilities as she has lived experience with a family member receiving Regional Center services. She is dedicated to providing support and guidance to those in need and committed to making a positive impact in their lives.
Keng Boon Lee-Ashby, Ph.D., Board Member
Keng Boon, a parent of a client of Helping Hands East Bay (HHEB), graduated from the University of Cambridge. She channeled her love for research to homeschooling her daughter exploring different avenues to help her overcome her developmental difficulties. Raising a special needs child has its challenges, but it has also brought much joy watching her daughter grow into adulthood and thrive at her community programs. Her daughter has taught her many things about the gift of life, to be thankful for each day no matter how hard it can be. Besides family, Keng Boon enjoys spending time with her church community. She looks forward to serving the special needs community with HHEB.