Children from the Chinatown Daycare Center and PS 184 performed.
	State Sen. Daniel Squadron, NYC Councilwoman Margaret Chin, and Mendel Hagler, Executive Director of Gouverneur, celebrate with nursing home resident Ping Kee Chan.

At Gouverneur Healthcare Services, nursing home residents, staff and guests celebrated the Chinese New Year on Feb. 9, one of the many events at which HHC facilities recognize the diverse cultural heritage of the communities they serve. The lunar New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, and this year’s celebration featured a traditional Lion Dance, music and songs. Three residents who are 100 or older were honored.

Located on the Lower East Side, the 210-bed nursing facility serves a patient population that is 58 percent Asian. To accommodate patients’ needs, many staff members speak Chinese dialects including Mandarin and Cantonese, nursing home residents are served authentic Chinese food and activities include Buddhist services, Chinese Opera, Mahjong and Tai Chi.

2011 is the year of the rabbit, a symbol of happiness and good luck in China and many other Asian countries. In Vietnamese culture, it’s the year of the cat, a symbol of sensitivity and kindness.