Front: Ping Dang (Renaissance EDC Board); Jackie Huey (AAFE Board Secretary); Suki Terada Ports (AAFE Board); Lydia Tom (AAFE Founder); Po Lan Tam (AAFE Founder); the Honorable Margaret Chin (NYC Councilwoman, Former AAFE Board President); Yee Ling Poon (AAFE Founder and Former Board President); Chan Cun Wu (AAFE Founder); Sze Kuen Lee (AAFE Founder)
Back: Owen Lau (AAFE CDF Board); Robert Yuen (AAFE Unicorn Team Director and Former Organizer); Minerva Chin (Former AAFE Organizer); Wendy Takahisa (Current AAFE Board President); Chris Kui (Current AAFE Executive Director); Kin Wah Chin (AAFE Founder); the Honorable Daniel Squadron (NY State Senator); Bruce Feffer (AAFE Advocate)
On Tuesday, February 18, local residents and community leaders joined Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) to mark the 40th anniversary of the organization and to celebrate the opening of its 111 Division Street and 2 Allen Street offices. Established in 1974, AAFE is a community-based, not-for-profit community development organization committed to community service and the empowerment of immigrants, low-income families, and minorities throughout New York City. AAFE serves thousands of seniors and low-income and working families each year, offering programs that encompass the organization’s comprehensive approach to community development.
AAFE has renovated the historic 111 Division Street office and expanded to the new 2 Allen Street office to address the growing demand for community services in New York City. AAFE affiliates AAFE Community Development Fund and Renaissance Economic Development Corporation have moved to the 7th floor of 2 Allen Street and AAFE’s Housing and Community Services program moved to the expanded 111 Division Street.
Housing Counselor Christie Huang (left) and Financial Opportunity Corps member Dan Ping He (right) pose with client Mr. Cheung (center)
To celebrate this growth and to launch the organization’s 40th Anniversary, AAFE felt it was extremely important to have founding members present at the ribbon cutting. AAFE began as a grassroots community coalition of Chinatown residents, college students, and professionals. AAFE’s leadership recognizes that the organization would not be where it is today without the contributions made by AAFE’s earliest supporters
“Today’s open house of our Chinatown offices shows that AAFE is committed to meeting the additional demand for services in New York City,” said Christopher Kui, Executive Director of AAFE. “AAFE affiliates AAFE Community Development Fund (AAFE CDF) and Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (Renaissance) moved to the 7th floor of 2 Allen Street and AAFE’s Housing and Community Services program moved to the expanded 111 Division Street.”
AAFE was joined by former Board Presidents Margaret Chin and Yee Ling Poon, past staff/volunteers Lydia Tom, Robert Yuen, and Minerva Chin, and longtime community supporters at the ribbon cutting. AAFE also officially announced the agency’s 40th Anniversary campaign that includes a community event at PS124, the Lunar New Year Banquet, the Community Development Conference, and 40th Anniversary Gala. A photo exhibition is also on display at both offices for the next few weeks.
“As we officially celebrate our 40th anniversary, it was important that AAFE kick off the celebration with our founding members who have made countless contributions to our organization,” said Wendy Takahisa, President of AAFE’s Board of Directors. “AAFE began as a grassroots community coalition of Chinatown residents, college students, and professionals. We would not be where we are today without our earliest supporters.”
To view more photos of the event, please click here.
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