BCA celebrates its Dyker Heights Senior Center, reflects on growth and challenges
On Friday, the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association (BCA) marked the second anniversary of the Dyker Heights Senior Center with a vibrant celebration at the New Phoenix Seafood Restaurant on 65th Street.
The event featured cultural performances, including traditional dances, dragon puppeteers, and musical acts, alongside cake cutting and heartfelt community camaraderie. A highlight was the attendance of a beloved senior center regular who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
Several notable representatives attended to present proclamations and citations, including Senator Steve Chan, Assemblyman Lester Chang, Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), and Rob Aguilar, District Director for Councilmember Alexa Avilés.
Yet, behind the festivities lies a broader story of growth and adaptation. Established in Sunset Park, the BCA has expanded significantly to serve Brooklyn's evolving Chinese-American population, which has increasingly moved into neighborhoods like Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, and Sheepshead Bay.
Paul Mak, President and CEO of BCA, reflected on the organization's origins and its response to community needs. Initially tasked in 1986 with revitalizing a declining 8th Avenue corridor, Mak organized a town hall in 1987 that drew an unprecedented number of Asian residents voicing their concerns. This marked the birth of BCA, aiming to assist newly arrived immigrants who saw opportunities in the affordable housing and empty storefronts of Sunset Park.
“Right after the meeting we decided that we might need an organization to assist the newly arrived immigrant population trying to settle into the Sunset Park area and that is how we started our organization,” Mak recounted.
Today, the area's Chinese-American community has surged to nearly 200,000, supported by BCA's robust network serving over 3,000 individuals daily across 28 locations. Mak emphasized the shift of residents moving from Sunset Park into quieter, residential areas, prompting BCA’s continuous expansion into neighborhoods like Dyker Heights.
Despite growth, new challenges persist. Rising housing costs have dramatically altered Sunset Park's landscape. Mak highlighted the staggering property value increase: buildings once unsellable at $25,000 in the 1980s now command prices of five to six million dollars.
Housing remains a significant challenge, with many residents sharing cramped apartments due to limited affordable options.
“Because we do a lot of daycare operations, we visit homes and we see three, four or even five people, living in a single room within the apartments,” said Mak.
There has also been a rise in problems that he didn’t use to identify with the Chinese-American community, according to Mak.
“Asian at one point used to mean role-model citizen, but as many have become more Americanized they share the same concerns and problems, like domestic violence and child abuse,” said Mak.
He also voiced concerns about public safety and economic struggles exacerbated by COVID-19 and the rash of related hate crimes, noting that local businesses still suffer from reduced evening activity due to safety fears.
He advocated for policies addressing crime, homelessness, and economic revitalization, expressing frustration with current bail reform policies and calling for stronger support for police.
“We are hoping we can address the economic situation and improve public safety within the community and the overall city so that everybody will feel more comfortable coming out,” underscoring the interconnectedness of safety, transportation concerns, and business prosperity.
Mak appreciates the citations and awards from political leaders but stressed the importance of these recognitions translating into concrete support for Brooklyn's Chinese-American communities, particularly regarding public safety, affordable housing, and economic opportunities.
From its humble beginnings, BCA’s journey parallels the growth and shifting demographics of Brooklyn’s Chinese-American community, continually adapting to meet their evolving needs.