Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by supporting ACDC's free programs for youth!

What is A-VOYCE?

Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE) equips youth to be community advocates who design spaces for collective dreams, joy, and power. We seek to guide youth from an inward exploration of personal identity into an outward transformation of community power.

The A-VOYCE school year program runs from October to May with cohorts in Chinatown and Malden. Youth learn about Asian American history, gain leadership and project management skills, apply design solutions that address issues in their communities, and connect with fellow high school-aged youth from across Greater Boston.

A-VOYCE Summer Programming

Our summer A-VOYCE programming consists of our Summer Leadership Academy, the youth-run Films at the Gate festival, and the youth-led SaturPLAY.

Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)

A-VOYCE’s Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) is a seven-week paid youth leadership program, where high school-aged youth develop and strengthen their knowledge and skills to lead community projects and interventions. This year, we are integrating our Films at the Gate (FATG), into Summer Leadership Academy (SLA), where youth will apply SLA’s educational and skill-building curriculum to planning and executing FATG.

Films at the Gate (FATG)

Films at the Gate aims to bring back the vibrant joy of accessible, communal entertainment back to Chinatown. Until the late 1980s, Chinatown had three movie theaters: The Pagoda on Washington Street, the Star Cinema on Essex Street, and the China Cinema on Beach Street. In their heyday, the theaters showed double features three times a day of favorite kung fu classics, often to packed houses from midday to midnight. Whole families would attend, and children would often play in the aisles.

Facing pressure from the growing popularity of home video rentals, the Star cinema closed in 1986, and the others soon followed suit.

Since 2006, A-VOYCE youth have supported, and now organize and run the film festival with guidance from ACDC staff. Youth dedicate their summer to put on this event that celebrates arts and culture, open space usage, and social connection in Chinatown. 

Check out this Instagram reel on the history of Chinatown Theaters made by youth organizers of last year’s Films at the Gate!

**If you are a local business or corporation interested in supporting the FATG Festival, please email events@asiancdc.org.

HOW CAN I HELP?

A donation of any amount makes an impactful investment in young leaders making tangible changes in their communities.

Your generous donation* will help fund:

• Paid stipends and internships for youth leaders

• Development for local youth’s leadership and professional career

• Opportunities for youth to collaborate and connect with local advocates, professionals, and artists

• Free lunches

• Field trips to enrich education and bonding

• Supplies to keep peacekeeping programs like Films at the Gate and SaturPLAY running.

*If you would like to contribute in-kind donations (such as, restaurant vouchers, museum tickets, art supplies), please contact events[at]asiancdc.org.

About ACDC:

Since 1987 the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) has created vibrant, inclusive communities by building affordable housing and preserving spaces where everyone is welcome to live, work and play. With roots in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood and a special focus on meeting the needs of low-income Asian American immigrants, ACDC serves individuals and families of all backgrounds throughout the Greater Boston area, including Malden and Quincy. ACDC empowers residents to play an important role in shaping their communities and advocating for their interests, and offers programs to guide them in building wealth and planning for their futures.