It is with much pride and enthusiasm that we announce the recent hire of CAAAV’s new Executive Director, Helena Wong.   Following an extensive national search, Helena emerged as the most qualified candidate to lead CAAAV into its 25^th year of mobilizing Asian immigrant communities.

With over 15 years of involvement with CAAAV, Helena brings to the position both a strong knowledge of the organization’s work and a deep understanding of community organizing in the Asian immigrant, working-class community.   Helena first joined CAAAV as a high school intern in 1995 and stayed involved as a summer youth program volunteer for 8 years.  During this time, she honed her skills as a political educator and organizer on police brutality, systemic violence and gentrification issues.   A proven leader, Helena joined CAAAV’s Chinatown Justice Project (CJP) as staff in 2003.   Under her direction,CAAAV founded the Chinatown Tenants Union which  has grown to over 200 members and 2,000 supporters.   She enjoyed a number of campaign victories including working with a city-wide coalition on the landmark passage of New York City’s Executive Order 120, a policy that mandates language access services at all city service agencies and a number of successful building campaigns.  Helena has represented CAAAV on the steering committee of national alliances like Right to the City and collaborative spaces and brings to the ED position a deep commitment to CAAAV’s mission.

We are thrilled to have Helena bring her organizing vision and solid administrative skills to advance our work.

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Meet Helena in person!

Join us on September 9th from 6:30-8:30pm at our Chinatown office, 46 Hester Street, Manhattan

Light snacks and drinks provided.