Welcome back, Alumni!
It’s Been a While!
See what's changed since you’ve been gone
Now, let’s catch you up to speed
What’s Kwong Kow like today?
We have a new home
You may have attended Kwong Kow at the building with the Confucious statue outside. We used to rent part of that building, which is owned by CCBA.
We now live directly across the street!
Our current home was newly built in 2007, and has nearly 17,000 square feet of activity space for our students.
That includes thirteen classrooms, a multi-function performing arts center, computer lab, library, and dance studio.
Chinatown is shrinking
Sadly, many Boston Chinatown residents and business owners have been forced to find new homes as well.
Chinatown has become more and more geographically confined in recent years as a result of land development and continued gentrification. Luxury apartments and AirBnBs replace affordable housing, and small, family-owned businesses are increasingly replaced by chain stores and franchises.
Existing residents and business owners find themselves pushed out of the neighborhood they’ve spent their lives in. As a result, the resident demographics of Chinatown have changed drastically.
Our mission hasn’t changed
Our work is becoming more and more crucial for families as Chinatown faces an uncertain future.
Kwong Kow was originally founded in 1916 by Chinatown merchants, making us one of New England's oldest Chinese cultural and educational organizations. The practice and preservation of Chinese cultural heritage is just as important to us today as it was over 100 years ago — if not, more. From top to bottom, we are led and run by those passionate about the past, present, and future of our community.
So, Kwong Kow's mission is two-fold:
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Firstly, we aim to share and promote Chinese language, culture, and traditions.
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Secondly, we are devoted to preparing immigrant and first-generation children for academic excellence by making our resources and opportunities accessible to all.
In doing so, we aim to continue uplifting the Boston Chinatown community while preserving Chinese language, history, and culture.
Thriving cultural education program
Today, Kwong Kow offers both Mandarin and Cantonese language classes. Students have the opportunity to graduate upon completion of our language program — just like you!
We also create meaningful opportunities for all our students to engage with our culture.
Our Calligraphy, Kung Fu, Lion Dance, and Folklore Dance classes are all offered free of charge, and we offer Guzheng and Yangqin classes at very affordable rates.
Our goal therein is to introduce any and all youth to these traditions, foster their growth as artists and performers, and develop their personal connections to Chinese heritage.
Academic enrichment for all
We understand the importance of academic achievement for families building generational wealth.
Many of our families do not have the knowledge or resources to assist their children themselves, so our organization steps in to ensure they achieve success.
We provide extensive homework assistance to ensure our students understand what they're learning in school.
Additionally, our entrance exam preparation supplements the MA Common Core curriculum so that our students are prepared to apply to Boston’s prestigious exam schools.
Shaping the future with our youth
New generations of instructors are vital contributors to the continued preservation of our heritage. Many of our cultural instructors are also Kwong Kow alumni!
Our recently-formed Youth Lion Dance Team has quickly become a sensation throughout Greater Boston following their debut at the 2022 Chinatown Lion Dance Parade. They’ve performed at more than a dozen events and festivals so far this year.
We also provide free college & career readiness workshops for our teens in the summer. In this way, we equip them with the tools and knowledge they need for future success once they’ve moved on from our programs.
Now, that you’re caught up
Help us support Chinatown
Working-class families need our help
As inflation rates pass 9%, our families are struggling more than ever to make ends meet.
A donation to our school will help subsidize our program fees, easing the economic strain on these families and facilitating their access to academic and cultural enrichment opportunities.
No gift is too small to make a difference!
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$50 sponsors a full year of Chinese textbooks for 1 student.
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$100 sponsors 5 students to go on a field trip in Boston.
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$250 sponsors traditional dance outfits for our entire dance class.
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$500 sponsors a full semester of materials for an entire classroom.
By making a contribution — large or small — you can make a direct impact in these families' lives and their children's future.
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