Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association

My kids take Chinese school here, specifically, to learn Cantonese. Have to say I’m not so crazy about it. They stress writing and although they are very organized I’m not sure how much they are really learning. Cantonese used to be the focus here but not it’s mandarin. The Cantonese classes now comprise of 4 different grades in one class. Their homework is a little bit unrealistic and I’m seriously thinking of moving them.

I had a few days left and needed help with my taxes desperately. My friend told me there is free tax help in the city so I found the BaruchVITA outreach program.
One of the locations was at the CCBA community center. It’s great that they help people from the community. I am so grateful for everyone’s help from the CCBA.
There were students from Baruch who were IRS certified volunteer tax preparers. The young man, Sam, has no idea how grateful I am for his help.
Thanks CCBA and Sam for helping me with my taxes 2011!
(side note: I was a little embarrassed that the community room leaders in the room had to switch from speaking Cantonese to English for me because I couldn’t keep up. Note to self look for Chinese classes for Adults at CCBA!)
I said «Yes, I have to BO SEUY.»…It was Chinglish meaning.“Yes, I have to file taxes.“
Do I have my what? OH YES GONG YEN CARD… which means social security card. Oh boy… Godmother of Chinatown’s Chinese sucks!

The CCBA provides vital services to residents of Chinatown: English lessons, translation, day care, and help with income taxes, health insurance, and naturalization. I didn’t realize the extent that Chinatown suffered after 9/​11, with major thoroughfares cut off so that tourism and traffic (car and foot) are still way down. The organization and leaders in Chinatown are concerned with keeping the community alive. As per its website, it is the unofficial City Hall of Chinatown, and its president the unofficial mayor of Chinatown. They also rent out the room, which is how I got to check this place out, and also how I got my picture in the Chinese newspaper.