As of 2021, Filipinos are one of the largest Asian origin groups in the United States. The Pew Research Center reported that 4.2 million Filipinos live in America, comprising 19% of the United States' overall Asian population.
Many Filipino immigrants moved to the U.S. for a better life, while Filipino-Americans are usually exposed to American society. As a result, both can feel disconnected from their culture. To respond to this challenge, Filipinos in the U.S. have established community centers where Filipino culture is celebrated.
What is a Filipino Community Center?
A Filipino community center helps preserve Filipino culture, builds community, and serves new faces and long-time residents. In short, it bridges generational gaps and makes every Filipino feel welcomed and at home.
Generally, a Filipino community center offers programs and services that meet the needs of Filipinos in American towns and cities. Its initiatives may include cultural festivals, language classes, and even Filipino diaspora support services.
With a wealth of cultural activities and practical support, Filipino community centers help people strengthen their identity and succeed in the U.S.
Highlighting & Preserving Filipino Culture
Many Filipino community organizations in the US strive to preserve Filipino culture. They usually host events for important Filipino celebrations and customs, such as:
- Fiestas that showcase traditional dances like tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw
- Simbang Gabi during the Christmas season, complete with Filipino music, food, and traditions
- Philippine Independence Day events honoring national history and heroes
Through these activities, younger Filipino immigrants and Filipino-Americans learn about the customs, food, and stories that shaped their ancestors’ lives.
Bringing Everyone Together
Filipinos in the U.S. can also meet new people and collaborate with or befriend them at Filipino community centers. Events such as potluck dinners and karaoke nights foster camaraderie and mutual support.
Sometimes, Filipino professionals can turn to Filipino community centers to build their networks. Several of these organizations hold career fairs, offer mentorship programs, and host business workshops for Filipino immigrants and Filipino-Americans. Ultimately, participants gain new skills and make new connections.
Serving the Filipino Diaspora with Strong Support Services
Besides holding cultural activities, Filipino community centers offer valuable resources and programs to help Filipino immigrants navigate American life.
Immigration & Legal Assistance
Following American immigration laws can be difficult and costly. Many Filipino community centers have partnered with immigration experts for free or affordable legal consultations. This way, Filipino immigrants can handle the following without issues:
- Visa and green card applications
- Naturalization processes
- Petitions to bring family members to the U.S.
Healthcare & Wellness Programs
Filipino community centers also offer health screenings, wellness seminars, and mental health support to community members. They’re highly essential since Filipinos in the U.S. are likely to be diagnosed with severe conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Educational & Youth Programs
Outside of school, Filipino students can get tutorials, scholarship assistance, and leadership training from Filipino community centers. These initiatives help younger immigrants and Filipino-Americans excel in their studies and encourage them to discover and embrace their heritage.
Gathering Generations of Filipinos in One Space
Many Filipino immigrants and Filipino-Americans often live with their parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Filipino community centers create and offer programs based on this structure, letting different generations engage with each other.
For example, cultural workshops at a Filipino-American community center may pair elders with younger volunteers. Older Filipinos can share their experiences, including OFW life stories, during these events, which are documented for archival purposes. This way, Filipino communities forge new bonds and preserve their culture.
4 Notable Filipino Community Organizations in the U.S.
Some Filipino community centers have played significant roles in the lives of immigrants and Filipino-Americans. They include:
- Bayanihan Community Center - The San Francisco-based Bayanihan Community Center (under the Filipino American Development Foundation) was established to build and maintain a tight-knit Filipino community in the Bay Area, allow service providers to share their resources and expertise with San Francisco’s Filipino population, mold future leaders, and help service providers serve their communities.
- Filipino Community of Seattle - Founded in 1935, the FCS offers affordable housing, senior services, youth development and STEM programs, arts and culture programs, and basic needs programs to Seattle-based Filipinos.
- The Philippine Cultural Community Center - This Indiana-based Filipino-American community center aims to unify the state’s Filipino community through culture and help it meet its basic needs.
- The Rizal Center - Located in Chicago, the Rizal Center is considered key to a united and motivated Filipino community in the state.
The Filipino-American’s Access to Resources & Support: What Lies Ahead
To keep serving Filipino immigrants and Filipino-Americans, Filipino community centers in the U.S. must adapt to a fast-paced world while preserving Filipino culture. Furthermore, they’re called to defend the rights of Filipino immigrants, which racism and recent anti-immigration initiatives have been violating.
These things considered, Filipino community centers must:
- Improve their mental health-related services by making them more personalized.
- Make essential resources more accessible for community members in faraway areas.
- Support policies that protect immigrant rights and promote equal treatment toward Filipinos and other ethnic groups in the U.S.
Fortunately, some Filipino community centers are reaching Filipinos who can’t attend their events or visit their buildings in person through technology. If you use an online event or business listings directory, you might find upcoming events held by your local organization there.
Why Does a Filipino-American Community Center Matter?
Filipino immigrants and Filipino-Americans must navigate complicated systems while holding on to their roots. Filipino community centers help them overcome these challenges with well-organized cultural programs and abundant resources. Overall, they make transitions easier and create a sense of belonging.
Whether someone wants to learn a traditional dance, needs help handling immigration documents, or talks with their kababayan (fellowmen), they can always run to a Filipino community center and feel at home.
Discover Filipino Culture at Filipino Community Centers
Filipino community centers in the U.S. are more than just buildings. They’ve witnessed how resilient, well-adjusted, and united the Filipino diaspora is. Plus, Filipino community centers preserve centuries of tradition, help those in need, and give immigrants and Filipino-Americans a place to call home.
By supporting these organizations and joining their programs, Filipino communities in the U.S. can strengthen their community bonds and ensure that future generations will keep celebrating and honoring their heritage.
For more about Filipino culture, visit the United Tribes blog or our Filipino community page today.
