Assunta and George Y. Cha
Student Scholarship
We want to remember George and honor Assunta Cha for their years of selfless work on behalf of our community. They have spent a lifetime giving their time, energy and financial resources to not only our chapter but also to many organizations. We are grateful for their altruism and for the example which they have set for all of us.
For their unwavering support and selfless dedication to the betterment and well-being of the Asian American community and their generous support of our aspiring leaders’ education, we are so honored to name the chapter's scholarship fund after them.
Assunta H. Cha
Assunta was born in China, grew up in Taiwan and came to the US for college. Bitten by the bug of volunteerism in the 60’s, she went to Alaska where she taught at a missionary school in a small fishing village for a year. This experience changed her life and encouraged her to become a champion for the underdog. She became a teacher and worked as a guidance counselor at Brookline High School for twenty years until her retirement.
Participating in community activities, she was on the Human Relations/Youth Resources Commission for many years, and chaired the Asian American Heritage Festivals during the month of May for 10 years. She was also a member of the Asian American Unity Dinner, an event that brought together our vastly diverse communities for the annual celebration of our heritage.
Since retirement, she has joined the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR). She enjoys the mental stimulation of peer teaching, and the camaraderie of the members. She served as the chair for its Diversity Committee, and at the present, she is a member of the Council. She is also a volunteer for Humanities International, working with Elder Hostels as a site coordinator in hosting visitors throughout the US during their visit to Boston.
George Y. Cha in loving memory
George was born in Shanghai, China, immigrated to the US in 1949. He attended Jamaica High School in Queens, New York City. His college years were at the end of the Korean War.
George met his wife at a roommate’s wedding. He was a devoted husband during their 45 years together.
It was in Boston, that George discovered Asian Pacific America. Assunta and George became activists in the school system, instrumental in recruitment of APA teachers and staff. George became involved in various committees, Assunta became a guidance counselor. George’s volunteer activity with the town was steadfast.
In the early Eighties, they were drawn to OCA because of its Mission, and Vision, and their desire to “Embrace the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans”.
Their involvements were mostly on the local chapter level. At one time, both of them were the New England Chapter presidents. Recently, George became involved on the national level. He was a part of the team that successfully acquired the building in Washington DC, which is the now the home of the Center of Asian Pacific American Leadership. George considers this to be a significant gesture: brick and mortar demonstrate to the policy makers in DC that we have arrived, that we want equal access, and that we are a strand of the fabric that is America.
Going forward, as parents and grandparents, George and Assunta recognize the importance of nurturing future generations. One successful instrument in this process is the OCA Internship program, an annual program that places 20 or more highly motivated college students in the various agencies in Washington DC. Eight years ago, their daughter Kai Ming was one of the first interns – that experience was a major step in her journey to adulthood.
“As a part of the support system; they are making an investment. When we invest in the future generations of APA Youth, we are investing in the future of this Great APA Community. At the twilight of our years, we can’t find a greater mission to be associated with.”