The New York Chinese FreeMasons Athletic Club (CFMAC), Hung Ching, is a full 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been a staple in the Chinatown community since 1956. Members of the Chinese Freemasons saw a need to create a recreational center for the youth of Chinatown to congregate, learn, and eventually pass on our traditional heritage. They felt that if a place was provided for them, it would
be a great alternative to the streets or homes where there is little or no adult supervision. Thus they founded a youth club which has now developed into the NY CFMAC. Our club offers programs that help develop character, confidence, leadership, health, talent and physical fitness. Such programs include martial arts, lion dances, and fitness training classes. All members are required to take these classes, so that each member is instilled with the same training. This training will eventually help them in other parts of their lives and careers. We also stress the need for our youth to stay in school and finish their education, and we promote this by offering after school tutoring and 1 on 1 homework assistance. We also provide workshops on resume writing, job interviews, leadership, and much more. Many of our activities aim to provide an environment where our youth can become a productive and valuable member of our society and community. Our martial arts and fitness classes provide our members the opportunity to become healthy and stronger individuals. This is very important in this day and age where obesity, drugs, disease, other unhealthy habits and health problems are common place. We feel that this is a great way to give back to the community and also to instill a sense of pride, usefulness, belonging, and caring for its younger members in the Chinatown community. Providing a service to the community gives the next generation a chance to learn the diverse history and traditions of its many citizens, often of different ethnicities. This is who we are, a positive place for the youth of the Chinese community to learn and continue their heritage while developing life skills which will stay with them as they go through life.