It was 20 years ago that ACCESS (American Chinese Christian Educational and Social Services) first opened its doors in a storefront facility in Tai Tung Village to serve the Chinese community. On May 5, 2012 over 200 guests gathered in Empire Garden Restaurant to celebrate the growth of ACCESS over the years and thank God for His provisions.

The evening began with a silent auction and raffle.

To kick off the 10-course banquet, Rev. Jacob Fung, Pastor Emeritus of Boston Chinese Evangelical Church, offered a prayer for the agency and Chinatown. Two newly hired full-time program directors—Adult Basic Education Director Anna Fan and Director of Children and Families Dr. Linda Liang—were then introduced to dinner guests by James Lam, President of the Board of Directors. The remarks by Anna and Linda centered on the role of ACCESS as a bridge builder within the family and within the community.

The owners of the restaurant—Mr. and Mrs. David Wong—presented a $2,000 check to Mei Kee Wong, Executive Director. As a small token of appreciation for the owners' generosity and long-time commitment to the Chinese community, Bak Fun Wong presented them with a crystal persimmon.

The fundraising event raised a total of $24,000, which will be used to support the agency's various programs for children and adults. Special thanks go to those who attended the banquet and those who could not attend but made donations. We are also grateful to the many businesses and individuals for their donation of auction or raffle items. We could not have done it without you!

Chinese version

See more photos from the banquet.

If you are coming to our 20th Anniversary Banquet on May 5, you will have the opportunity to meet and hear our two new program directors. This is an exciting time for us and we ask you to join us in prayers of thanks to God for bringing two excellent candidates to ACCESS—and continue in prayer as we ask God to lead His candidate to us as Executive Director.

As we move out in faith to strengthen ACCESS's service with three full-time positions, we ask for your continued faithful prayer and financial support.

LINDA LIANG began as Children and Family Life Director on March 6. ANNA FAN, a long-time ACCESS volunteer, started as Adult Basic Education Director on April 23.

Linda Liang immigrated to the US from Taiwan at 6 years of age and is proficient in Mandarin Chinese. In the last ten years, she completed a B.S. at MIT in Environmental Engineering Science, and an M.S., and Ph.D. at Harvard. Between undergraduate and graduate school, she served as a Corps Member for City Year Boston. During that experience she taught and tutored at Josiah Quincy Upper School and the Red Oak afterschool program.

Linda has a passion for working with kids, especially in developing after school programs. While in College and graduate school, she created after school programs for elementary school students in environmental awareness, science education, multicultural awareness, and public service, in addition to volunteering in numerous tutoring programs.

She is active at the Greater Boston Vineyard Church in Cambridge, MA.

ANNA FAN is well known to ACCESS. She has served on the Board, the Networking Committee and as Tutor Volunteer Coordinator.

She has 10 years experience at Boston Chinese Neighborhood Center, where she taught ESL at all levels, oversaw various Adult Education Programs and, most recently was Coordinator of volunteer and peer tutors. In that role, she recruited and trained volunteers and developed training curriculum.

As a long-time Chinatown resident, Anna knows Boston's Chinatown community well and is committed to fostering community cohesion and balancing community goals with individual focus. She speaks Cantonese and is learning Mandarin.

Anna is active at Boston Chinese Evangelical Church where she has served as Board Member, on Expansion and Missions Committees, and as a Discipleship Leader.

She received her BS from Penn State University and an M.A. in TESOL/Intercultural Studies from Columbia Biblical Seminary.

Please join ACCESS for a fundraising dinner with silent auction

Date:
Saturday, May 5, 2012

Time:
5:00 PM

Location:
Empire Garden Restaurant
690 Washington St
Boston, MA 02111

Cost:
$60 per person or
$600 for a table of 10
(Banquet includes ten-course dinner and beverages.)

Donation:
Seat price includes $30 tax-deductible gift

You can buy tickets online:

$60.00 - 1 dinner ticket $120.00 - 2 dinner tickets $180.00 - 3 dinner tickets $240.00 - 4 dinner tickets $300.00 - 5 dinner tickets $360.00 - 6 dinner tickets $420.00 - 7 dinner tickets $480.00 - 8 dinner tickets $540.00 - 9 dinner tickets $600.00 - 10 dinner tickets (1 table)

If you have any questions, please email dinner2012@chinatownaccess.org

Downloads:
Banquet Poster
Banquet RSVP card (English)
Banquet RSVP card (Chinese)