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Asian Community & Cultural Center

By by Mary Monahan, Macaroni Kid Lincoln and Rebecca Reinhardt, ACCC February 23, 2017

One of the best parts of my job is learning about non-profits in Lincoln and sharing their good work. Last week, I visited the Asian Community & Cultural Center, located on 44th & O St. I mostly know the ACCC from their big events: the Asian New Festival and the Harvest Moon Festival. My impression after my meeting? How do so few people serve so many?

The Center employs 12 staff members and their day-to-day consists of translating, tutoring, hosting ELL and citizen classes, provide health assistance, offer Mother/Daughter circles, breastfeeding assistance, and a safe haven for the many immigrants and refugees that arrive in our beautiful state. 

 

Lincoln was designated as a "refugee friendly city" by the US Department of State in the 1970s. Since 1983, almost 5,500 refugees have settled into their new homes in Lincoln. Per United States Census Bureau's data, up to July, 2015, the Asian population made up of 2.3% of the whole population in Lincoln. 

The Center also puts on huge events for the greater Lincoln community to explore the Asian heritage. One of my favorite events that they plan is the Asian New Year Festival. It is loud, it is colorful and it is unique. 

The Harvest Moon Festival is held in September annually. This exciting event aims to celebrate Asian cultural heritage and to share an important Asian tradition with the Lincoln community. This annual festival is filled with culturally enriching activities such as festival games, educational booths (i.e. writing names in Chinese), decorating lanterns, writing wishes to hang on lanterns, traditional music and dance performances, and not to mention, delicious Asian cuisines. A new favorite event of many in Lincoln is the annual Curry Clash.

 

The Center specifically serves the Vietnamese, Sudanese, Karen and Yezidi immigrants and refugees but all Asian immigrants are welcome. The Vietnamese population is currently the largest population of clients that they serve, followed by Burmese.

How can you help the Center? By donating your time and not just your time, but your family's time. Here are five ways that you make a difference. 

  • Participate in their after school youth program by helping high school new immigrant and refugee students with their college applications, subject matters, test prep and much more.  
  • Become a teaching assistant for our ELL and citizenship classes. 
  • If you can speak any foreign language, let them know! They might need help with interpreting or client assistance. 
  • Join in their marketing committee to help spread our name out in the community. 
  • Donate your time to help them prepare for their big events, they need help for major events throughout the year such as Harvest Moon Festival in September. 

Souces: 

http://lancaster.unl.edu

http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/POP815215/31

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln,_Nebraska