Pui Tak Center

02/13/2026

⏳ Last Chance for Early Bird Savings for JSP Jumpstart!

This is it! There are only hours left to lock in our best rate for Pui Tak’s JumpStart Program (JSP)! Don’t miss out on the savings!

Register before the discount expires on 2/15/26 (complete payment by Monday, 2/16, if paying by check or credit card) to lock in your Early Bird savings!

Don't let this summer be defined by screen time. Give your child a summer filled with growth, friendship, and discovery! JSP Jumpstart ensures students stay academically sharp while having a great time in a supportive, joy-filled environment.

Program Highlights:
Dates: June 22 – August 7 (7 exciting weeks!)
Who: Preschool (3yo) – 8th Grade, and going into 9th Grade
Time: Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 3 PM

Bonus: Before and after school care is available to fit your schedule!

The clock is ticking—Register by Feb 15th to save!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGV_wtI9AoG9zG3mcsK7vudQXjcMjPVnCqBupPM9xFp9Tupg/viewform

12/02/2025

On , please consider supporting Pui Tak Center. https://www.puitak.org/donate
venmo:

Every day, we make a difference in people’s lives. This past year,
** 996 adults attended our ESL and citizenship classes
** 221 children and 369 youth participated in after school and summer programs
** 1,290 immigrants received support through our Welcoming Center
** 83 families affected by a disability sought help with navigating services

Your support helps us:
✓Support vulnerable families
✓ Guide immigrants through complex systems
✓ Provide safe learning spaces for children and youth
✓ Share Christ through loving, serving and witnessing

Every gift matters. Whether $25, $100, or $1,000. Your partnership with Pui Tak Center will make a difference in people’s lives.

11/25/2025

On September 2nd, the On Leong building (now known as the Pui Tak Center) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site of national significance.

The National Register is the official Federal list of districts, sites and objects significant in American history and culture. There are currently more than 100,000 places listed on the register with 70% of the listings having local significance, 25% of the listings having statewide and 5% of the listings having national significance.

While the On Leong/Pui Tak building has been a Chicago Landmark since 1993, our building has never been nominated for the National Register. In 2021, Pui Tak Center received a "Telling the Full Story" grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation which funded the preparation of a nomination form. Ramsey Historic Consultants conducted research on the building and prepared the nomination. The Chinese American Museum of Chicago interviewed over 20 community members who shared their connection with the building as On Leong members, as students attending Chinese classes after school or as workers in one of the storefronts.

After the initial application was written to gain a locally significant designation, the consultants decided to expand their research so that the building might be considered for nationally significance. They compared our building with those in other Chinatowns including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Honolulu. The On Leong/Pui Tak building is one of the best example of how Chinese eclectic architecture was used to signify Chinatown's place.

The application was submitted to the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office in late 2024 for review and suggestions. The nomination was covered by the Chicago Sun-Times, NBC5 and ABC7.

The Chicago Landmark Commission unanimously endorsed the nomination in May and the Illinois National Register Advisory Council unanimously agreed to forward the nomination to the National Park District's Keeper of the Register in June.

We received letters of support from elected officials (US Senator Durbin, US Senator Duckworth, State Comptroller Mendoza, State Senator Villanueva, State Representative Mah and Alderwoman Lee), preservation organizations (National Trust for Historic Preservation, Asian and Pacific Islanders Americans in Historic Preservation, Landmarks Illinois, and Preservation Chicago), preservation architects and general contractors, Chinatown organizations and individuals.

The importance of National Register listing includes greater awareness of the histories of Chinese Americans and Asian Americans, highlights how Pui Tak Center and Chinese Christian Union Church are using the building to serve and outreach to the community, and qualifies the building for federal preservation funding.

05/16/2025

Today, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks's program committee approved recommending the On Leong/Pui Tak Center building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Next is getting the full commission's approval on June 5. On June 27th, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office's Advisory Commission will review the nomination. If approved, it goes to the National Park Service for final review and approval.

Yesterday NBC5 did a nice story that included interviews with Anita Luk and Soo Lon Moy.

A nearly 100-year-old building in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood could soon have national recognition if preservationists get their way.

05/07/2025

The On Leong/Pui Tak Center building is being considered for the National Register of Historic Places as a site with national significance. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks will consider whether to give an endorsement in May. Then IL State Historic Preservation Office will consider whether to recommend the building to the National Park Service in June.

The former On Leong Merchant Association building could join the prestigious list by the end of summer.

11/15/2024

Pui Tak Center will be hosting the Chinese AmericanAssociation
for Autistic Community's national conference on Dec 13 and 14. Friday will focus on service providers and researchers and Saturday will focus on the needs of families. The conference is free through the support of Autism Speaks.

11/28/2023

On Giving Tuesday, please consider supporting our youth program, disability services and new Hope Counseling Services. Any size gift is appreciate and will be well used in serving those in need. www.puitak.org/en/donate
** A $42 donation covers the cost of an hour ESL class session for immigrant youth.
** A $135 donation covers the cost of providing vocational support to a group of young adults with disabilities working a shift at a food packaging factory and getting paid minimum wage.
** A $200 donation subsidizes most of the cost for a month's therapy session for someone struggling with mental health and financial needs.

Thank you for your support!

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving - a full house for our annual Thanksgiving Day outreach lunch for new immigrants in Chinatown. Thanks to Daniel Pak who has cooked this meal for 10+ years and all the volunteers who help out. But mostly, we thank God for his blessings every day of our lives.

11/07/2023

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is supporting Pui Tak Center to apply to be listed on the National Register for Historic places. The Chinese American Museum of Chicago - Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center helped collect stories about the building for our application.

The Pui Tak Center in Chicago and Think!Chinatown in New York City are among the many organizations working to preserve the social fabric of Chinatowns across the country.

11/07/2023

Pui Tak Center is honored to be named one of ’s 2023 ERG Community Grant recipients to foster appreciation of diversity and support communities to thrive.
The grant is supporting our Disabilities Services which includes supporting Chinese immigrant parents who are raising children with disabilities, helping parents advocate for services, life and vocational training for young adults, and guiding families who have Home-Based Services funding. This year, 14 of our young adults got paid minimum wage for regular part-time or temporary jobs in janitorial and food packaging. Thanks AbbVie!

08/12/2023

Today, family and friends gathered to remember Leah Zhang who taught ESL to immigrant adults at Pui Tak Center from 2009 until she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2019. She was a wonderful teacher as she understood their struggles as she was an immigrant herself. She was well-loved by both her students and fellow teachers and staff. Her eulogy stated that "During her tenure at Pui Tak Center, she witnessed many emotional and psychological needs among the new arrivals and felt called to pursue a Master of Clinical Counseling at Moody Bible Institute."

"She even considered the tumor as a gift and blessing from God. Amidst the suffering, she fully experienced the unconditional love of her parents, and as a result, mended and reconciled their relationship. She was a bold and outspoken witness, benefiting many by sharing how God is faithful and good despite hardship."

The link below is a Leah's portion of a 2017 Newsy video article on Pui Tak Center's ESL program. https://scrippsnews.com/stories/assimilation-key-to-success-for-chicago-s-chinese-immigrants/