Chinese American Service League

I used to volunteer here when I was a kid, it was okay. I helped the elderly study for citizenship tests while some other kids helped with the daycare. That was a very very long time ago when they first started. The staff there used to be very kind and patient, very willing to help. Over time, every time my parents, any of their friends, or my friends’ parents go to ask for assistant, the staff there always begrudgingly helped and would always try to strong arm ‘donations’ or money for ‘raffles’ in exchange for assistance. They can also be rude and condescending as I have personally witnessed. I have since been taking my parents to other help centers. I would rather go the extra distance than deal with rude personnel who have little to no patience. You can ask anyone on the streets of Chinatown, they will confirm this to be true.

What a hidden gem in Chicago’s Chinatown area! I started volunteering for their Cup of Tea English conversation program about 9 months ago. Volunteers gather every Saturday morning to offer 2 hours of English tutoring to anyone who wants to attend (for free!). I have met many dedicated volunteers and students from 20 – 80 years old trying to better their English. The bonus of volunteering at CASL is how close in proximity it is to so many great restaurants!
CASL serves a big range of ages by offering pre-​school, after school programs, senior day service, home care services. It also helps new immigrants and citizens by providing assistance in navigating the legal system, filling out government forms, preparing for the job market, getting a mortgage to buy a house, studying for citizenship classes, etc.
On any given Saturday, I also see many kids and families coming in for dance classes, Mandarin classes, and other Chinese culture related classes. It’s a wonderful cultural hub for Chinese American families. If you know someone who would like to volunteer or needs services, tell them to go to CASL. A simple orientation tour will show you what they have to offer and how much the community needs CASL.

I’ve been a part of the Associate Board at CASL for the last year. I’ve been able to meet some great, caring people who all share their passion for giving back to the community.
CASL does an extremely excellent job in providing help for the Chinatown/​Bridgeport community. Since helping out here, I’ve seen first hand all the different programs they have here and how much impact they’ve accomplished. From pre-​school age children, to our seniors, immigration/​legal help to English classes and job training programs, CASL seeks to provide help to everyone in the community.
As part of the Associate Board, we’ve also done a lot of our own fundraising, social and service events this past year to help spread the word of all the good that CASL provides. If you’re interested in giving back more, shoot me a text!

I’ve never been here but I have used their services and I found a lady to care for my child (nanny) via CASL and am very happy with her.
Before finding our nanny, I called to ask them for help — to help me located a Cantonese speaking child care provider (I am 1^st generation American Chinese and want someone to speak Chinese to my child) and told them my budget and where I lived (we needed a live-​in).
They were very honest with me about what sort of budget I needed to work with and my chances of finding someone (little or no chance at all since I live 40 mins west of the city — most of their candidates want to live-​out and want to be close to Chinatown). I was ready to give up when by CRAZY CHANCE, a lady was available for hire — she had been working for a pediatrician as a live-​in nanny in Bolingbrook for the last 5 years AND she spoke Cantonese.
Pure luck. We swept her up right away and couldn’t be happier.
As a service organization, I also know good things about CASL because our nanny uses all their services. they help people with low income get better electricity and gas rates, help them with free mammograms and health care services including dental.
Without know more, I am hesitant to give 5-​stars — but 4 stars is very fair.

The Chinese American Service League now resides in a cool new building by rising young architect Jeanne Gang. It is a shiny rectangular block with «scales» said to be like those of the dragon. It is located in an obscure corner of Chinatown near many of the new homes constructed there over the years as the local Chinese population grows and expands.