What does the Chinese American community in Western New York truly need? Not what we assume, not what is currently offered — but what people actually experience, day to day, in their own words.

To find out, the Chinese Community Foundation of Western New York conducted a community needs survey* in March 2025. We collected 224 responses in Simplified Chinese, English, and Traditional Chinese. What we heard was clear, specific, and urgent — and it is shaping everything we do next.

Who responded

The picture that emerged shows a community that is more rooted than many realize. Nearly two-thirds of respondents plan to live in Western New York for five or more years, or permanently. Over half have been in the United States for more than a decade. This is not a transient population passing through — it is a stable, committed community that deserves stable, committed institutions.

At the same time, one in four respondents identified as not proficient in English. For these community members, navigating healthcare, legal services, and daily bureaucracy without language support is a constant struggle.

What people need

The most common needs are practical and immediate: help with home repairs (45%), support for children’s education (37%), vehicle repairs (32%), and — notably — simply making friends (28%). Social isolation is a real need, not a secondary concern.

When respondents described what they observe among their Chinese friends, the picture expanded to include housing insecurity, job referrals, legal assistance, and English language learning — systemic integration challenges that individual effort alone cannot solve.

Where current services fall short

Satisfaction with existing community services is moderate. The clearest gaps are not about service quality — they are about service existence. Nearly 30% of respondents cited a lack of certain services altogether. Over 21% pointed to a lack of physical space. Nearly 20% said there is simply too little useful information about what is available.

They are not asking for perfection. They are asking for a place to go, programs to join, and a reliable way to find help.

What people want at the community center

Open-ended responses converged on five themes: connection, belonging, and culture; programs for social integration and economic advancement; support for seniors and vulnerable groups; a reliable physical infrastructure and information platform; and education and development opportunities for young people.

These are not wish-list items. They are the building blocks of a functioning community center.

What comes next

Over the coming weeks, we will share the full findings through our newsletter — one theme at a time — so that every community member can see themselves in the data and understand what we are building toward.

We invite you to follow along, share this with your networks, and get involved.

To receive the full newsletter series, please sign up .

Detailed survey data available via Link to Looker Studio .

The complete survey report is expected to be available in May 2026, thank you for your patience.

* This survey project was funded through NYS AAPI CDF 2024-2025 via CACF.