SEACMA Programs

SEAC Mission

The Southeast Asian Coalition is a not-for-profit organization that supports, promotes and advocates for the success of the Southeast Asians of Central Massachusetts in the mainstream society. The Southeast Asian Coalition will pursue its mission by:

Providing assistance in the area of educational and job training, economic, as well as emotional, social and cultural support to enable Southeast Asians to successfully mainstream into American society.
Linking between the Southeast Asians and the American community.
Supporting the cultural heritage of the different Southeast Asian cultures represented in the Greater Worcester community.

SEACMA History

Founded in 1999 by a group of Southeast Asian youth, to respond to the Southeast Asian (SEA) community's needs for services, access and advocacy. In the summer of 2002, the SEA coalition obtained funding from the City of Worcester and opened a Center located on Main Street. Since its opening, the SEA community has strongly identified with the Center using it as a resource and support in all areas of their lives. During 2004, the Center served more than 400 SEA members and provided ESL, Citizenship classes, information and referral to health providers and legal advocates, organized focus and support groups for parents, and placed over 80 individuals in full- time employment. The Coalition also successfully put together the first Southeast Asian festival in central Massachusetts, with attendance reaching more than 800 people.

The Southeast Asian population is the fastest growing population in Worcester, increasing in number by almost 500% from 1980 to 1990, and another 91% in the following decade to a current total of more than 8,900 residents (Census 2000). Of the Southeast Asian residents, approximately 2,014 children attend Worcester Public Schools and more than 470 adolescents currently attend a Worcester public high school. With the youth program re-established, the center hopes to meet the growing needs of the community.

Board of Directors

SEACMA Community Stories

Community Testimonies
Direct Service Success Stories
ESL Student Success Stories
Youth Success Stories

Current Active Programs

Youth Effect Program
Began in 2004 the Youth Effect program was originally a safe space for Asian youth to share their experiences and culture with one another. In 2006 the group changed with funding from the United Way to become a structured after school program providing youth with role models and mentors with whom Asian youth and all youth can identify with. Youth Effect is a program for all youth who wish to succeed in their academics, learn leadership skills, maintain healthy active lifestyles, and immerse themselves into South East Asian Culture. Originally a group which served up to 20 youth per year the program has grown to serve over 90 youth per year through various programs and activities. With over 30 active youth participating weekly in tutoring, dance, physical activities, workshops, community service projects and meetings; the Youth Effect program has greatly expanded. For more information about our activities, events, and youth please click on the words Youth Effect Program and you will be directed to the Youth Effect Program website.

ESL Program
The ESL program began in 2007 with funding from the United Way. Since the beginning of the program we have served over 100 students per year to learn English in order to: apply for citizenship, learn basic job skills, answer telephone calls, prepare for job interviews, converse with their children, shop in the supermarket and apply for college. This list only covers a few areas of the many topics students in our ESL classes learn each year. The students in our program range in age from 15 to 72 years old and are from all parts of the world. For more information and a schedule please click on the wordsESL Program and you will be directed to the ESL Program website.

Civic Engagement
We provide education for civic engagement through our partnership with the Worcester Human Rights Division, voting registration and education with assistance from the Worcester Viet Vote team, and Neighborhood Watch meetings monthly in partnership with the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Senior Center.
Community Safety Meeting on April 4/14/2011, please take a look at the following flyers in English and Vietnamese.