“The Extraordinary Life of Betty Kwan Chinn”: A biography of her life success and struggles

Betty Kwan Chinn is a survivor of war, homelessness and migrating to the United States. While many of us may know her as a local hero, you may not know her painful story. 

“People know about my story because I always share my story at the school or community everywhere, but this one getting deeper and deeper,” Chinn said.

Chinn’s friend, Karen M. Price, focused on writing the book once she retired. The biography is filled with more than 20 years of Chinn’s life stories. She said through all of her struggles and successes she always had hope and never gave up. 

“I’m not ashamed by what happened to me– the people listen to my story, my talk,” Chinn said. “They always encourage me that when they get me encouraged me more and I feel like I find a puzzle in my life another piece, another piece and another piece then that really made me much healthier in my own life. I am able to help other people.”

At the age of seven, Chinn spent four years homeless after her family lost their home in China during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution. This is where her passion for her current work helping the homeless community stems from.

“God save me when I was a child and he protect me and I feel like I’m a chosen one,” Chinn said. “I completely free myself to just do what I can do the way I can help the people. I’m not afraid. Getting my story out is very painful, but I can deal with it myself. But if this can benefit somebody, I would do it.”

The book is now available on Amazon. Chinn said that all the book sales would go back to the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation. The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation focuses on immediate needs and helping the homeless achieve their return to society.

Chinn and her friend Price both are planning a book event near the Chinese New Year in February.