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New Community Center to Open in Downtown Flushing

One Flushing (Source: AAFE.org)

Aug. 2, 2019 By Max Murray

A new community center serving immigrants, seniors, and small business owners will be opening in Flushing Saturday, Aug. 10.

The community center will be operated by Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) in the newly constructed One Flushing, an affordable housing development that opened in February located on 41st Avenue.

AAFE co-developed One Flushing with the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC) and part of the plans included making space for a community center on the second floor.

“After opening One Flushing’s 231 units of housing for low and middle-income residents earlier this year, we are excited to debut our brand-new community hub,” said Jennifer Sun and Thomas Yu, AAFE’s co-executive directors.

“AAFE believes in a holistic approach to community development, which is why One Flushing not only addresses Flushing’s critical need for affordable housing, but also offers essential multilingual community services, programs to empower entrepreneurs and homeowners and support for Flushing’s growing senior population.”

AAFE Counselors are able to help community members with citizenship applications, family petitions, medical billing issues, Medicare applications, nutrition assistance, reduced fare metrocards, and other relevant needs present in the Flushing community.

The organization also offers U.S. naturalization classes, as well as English language and American civics courses. Services are available in other languages such as Chinese and Korean.

Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC), AAFE’s small business affiliate, also offers many programs for small business owners. REDC will be available to assist in dispensing low-interest small business loans, business counselling, and workshops for start-up businesses. Business financing is available up to $250,000.

“It’s inspiring to see the ways AAFE enacts its mission to be of authentic value to the Asian American community, and the opening of the new Queens headquarters is not any different,” said State Senator John Liu, “With its holistic list of on-site resources, this hub is a reflection of AAFE’s advanced understanding of the needs of the community whom they support.”

AAFE will still have a location at 35-34 Union St. in Flushing, where the organization’s Youth Program and Workforce Development Program is directed.