Asian Center of Merrimack Valley

The Asian Center of Merrimack Valley was founded in 1987 by two Sisters of Charity to address the basic needs (food, housing, etc.) of the Cambodian and Vietnamese immigrants and refugees making their home in the Greater Lawrence area. Using grass root efforts of going door to door many needs were identified. At first our work focused on these needs, like housing and food. Soon we started to teach English and help families understand a new culture. Today, the Asian Center has grown into a multi-service, family-oriented, intergenerational agency serving over 500 participants annually from Lawrence and the surrounding communities. In addition to serving the Vietnamese and Cambodian population our services now reach immigrants from many different cultures and countries. We continue to focus on the literacy tradition as a means for educational success, economic viability, and community participation. In 2012 the Asian Center of Merrimack Valley celebrates 25 years of service in the Greater Lawrence community