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Betty Chan, Senior Branch Manager of Santander Bank in Chinatown, visited the Careers in Banking and Finance class this fall to present to the students about the latest in digital banking. Santander is one of the more than forty banks that partner with AACA. Our partner banks help the students out in many different ways including visiting to present on banking topics and making themselves available to advise on students’ job searches. During the six week class the students le

Mr. Nugyen, a member of Boston’s Vietnamese community, had come to us for help. He owed a large sum of money to the IRS and the fees, and interest were making it impossible for him to address the problem. For years he had been a small business owner. Unfortunately, he had developed a chronic illness that required extensive medical treatment. At first the illness was manageable, but the illness turned from chronic to debilitating, requiring dialysis multiple times per week. As

At 67 years old, Mr. Li faced eviction after losing his job during the COVID years. As restaurants across the city were closing and work opportunities disappeared, he struggled with serious health issues. Forced to keep working, he had no other choice but to continue working as a dishwasher standing for long hours despite constant pain. Living in a shared room with four other adults, the limited hours he was given were never enough to cover rent, and the fear of losing his ho

On August 14, 2025, AACA hosted “Your Rights, Your Voice in These Uncertain Times”.  Drawing over 200 participants, this AACA Community Forum underscored AACA’s commitment to empowering and informing communities during a period of heightened fear, with clear, accessible information about their civil and legal rights. Representatives from public agencies and advocacy organizations, including Lawyers for Civil Rights, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office- Civil Rights Divisi

One week last summer, the preschoolers at Buds & Blossoms immersed themselves in exploring the ocean and the animals that live in the ocean. They listened to the sounds of the ocean through the seashells, touched the different textures of other creatures, and examined their shapes and colors. They asked questions: how turtles swim, how shells protect crustaceans, and how the fish, shrimps, and crabs live in the water. Buds & Blossoms is a Reggio Emilia–Inspired Mandarin Immer

For students in our First Step classes, education has been the way towards self-empowerment. Many of our students had established careers and lives in their native countries, lives and careers which were interrupted by unforeseen circumstances. One student was a practicing psychologist in Haiti until he was forced to flee due to the increasing gang violence. Another student completed her degree in civil engineering in Ecuador and was prepared to begin a rewarding career until

Elson Delpe’s hard work and belief in himself transformed his life. In 2024, he paid off his debts, improved his family’s financial stability, and proposed to his fiancée. In 2025, he achieved his biggest dream—he became a homeowner, and carried his wife over the threshold into their new home. “I prayed to God for these opportunities, and God continues to bless me,” he said.  Elson had worked in scaffolding, construction, and warehouses. He was determined to find a path that