Chinese American immigrant named a CNN Hero

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Betty Chinn feeds the homeless at her shelters and by visiting them in her food van.

Betty Chinn doesn't sleep much.

Each day before sunrise until well into the night, this petite woman in her 70s covers a lot of ground—tending to hundreds of people living in homelessness along California's north coast.

"I tell myself, 'Time to go, somebody needs your help,'" said Chinn, a Chinese American immigrant who's lived in Humboldt County for almost 50 years.

She was named as one of 2018's CNN Heroes, an honor given by the news network every year to  people having a positive impact in the world.

She houses, clothes and feeds the homeless in Humboldt County in northern California getting donations for the food, the shelter and its furnishings.

She's been at it for nearly four decades, expanding her efforts well beyond meals and starting her nonprofit. She and her group operate three shelters—one just for families, where Chinn often sleeps and remains on call at all hours.

"American people were so kind to me," Chinn said. "When I come to United States, (it was) the first time I had experienced people smiling at me and not knowing me. They just looked at me and smiled, and that stuck in my heart."

As a child, Betty Chinn was separated from her family and tortured in her native China, eventually fleeing to begin a new life in America. As a young mother, she was moved by the plight of one homeless child in her son’s elementary school and began serving homeless individuals in her town of Eureka, CA. 

SCREEN CAPTURE / CNN

Nearly 40 years later, Chinn continues to give back to her adoptive community, where she operates three shelters, cooks and serves 300 meals a day and provides medical and support services, job training and childcare to those struggling to get off the streets.

Now a U.S. citizen, she has proven her leadership qualities through her outstanding record of humanitarian activity in Humboldt County, California, serving the homeless population. 

Betty's mission started with cooking extra food at mealtimes for a homeless family she knew. Upon her recognizing more families and individuals in need, her activity increased in capacity and scope. Betty began feeding hundreds of people breakfast and dinner with a hot cup of coffee, all out of her own pocket. 

Betty still presently rises before dawn to cook, and is out and about until well after dark, making extra trips with rain gear and extra blankets when the weather is cold or rainy and there is a need. Betty insists she gets more out of this work than she puts in, the chance to give back to the city and country that welcomed her with the freedom to start a new life. 

At its core, Betty's mission has always been about doing for others what was never done for her, showing kindness and compassion to each individual. But most importantly, ensuring that they know they matter, at least to someone. 

The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation's mission is: "To honor all humanity by providing direct responses to immediate needs and helping the destitute achieve the dignity needed to return to society as contributing members." The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation social service programs include: The Betty Chinn Day Center, Betty's House Family Shelter & Medical Respite, Betty's Village, Betty's Showers, and Betty's Blue Angel Outreach.

You can donate to help Betty continue her mission by clicking here.

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