Connecting People to Opportunity: The FilAm Economic Resource Center

by Norberto “Bobby” Luna

The Filipino American community in the Chicagoland area, like many across the United States, has long been shaped by individuals pursuing the American dream. Early waves of immigrants were largely professionals—nurses, doctors, allied health workers, accountants, and teachers. By the 1990s, the rise of information technology brought a new group of Filipino American professionals into the workforce. Their extended families also found opportunities in hospitality, travel, manufacturing, and various local and federal government roles.

According to research from the University of Michigan based on the 2020 Census, the Filipino American population in Illinois has reached approximately 280,000, with about 90,000 residing in Cook County alone. As the community has grown, so too has its entrepreneurial spirit. Many Filipino Americans have established businesses to meet community needs, including insurance services, real estate, tax preparation, auto repair, and construction.

In addition to their primary employment, many families have invested in rental properties as a means of building wealth. The 1990s saw a surge in healthcare-related enterprises, including medical and home care services, driven in part by supportive federal and state programs. Since the 2000s, there has been notable growth in food-related businesses, such as Filipino grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants. A key milestone was the opening of Seafood City Chicago in 2015, part of the California-based Seafood City supermarket chain.

Amid this steady population growth and the expansion of Filipino American businesses, the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC) has identified the need to establish the FilAm Economic Resource Center. This initiative aims to serve as a centralized hub that connects community members with available services and opportunities.

For example, individuals seeking housing assistance can access a database of rental properties. Employers looking for workers—such as nannies, janitors, or restaurant staff—can post job openings, while job seekers can explore these opportunities. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can also receive guidance on accessing capital and other business resources.

The mission of the Resource Center is to provide access to resources that improve the economic well-being of both individuals and the broader community. 

To strengthen its impact, the Center will build partnerships with local chambers of commerce, SCORE, banks, venture capital groups, business schools, and relevant city, state, and federal agencies.

Cl spirit. Many Filipino Americans have established businesses to meet community needs, including insurance services, real estate, tax preparation, auto repair, and construction.

A Call to Action: Building This Together

The FilAm Economic Resource Center will only succeed if we build it together. This is our opportunity to turn bayanihan—from a shared value—into a concrete system of support that uplifts our entire community.

We invite community members, professionals, business owners, and partners to take part in this effort. Your support can take many forms: sharing your expertise, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, offering job opportunities, contributing resources, or helping us expand our network. Every act of support—big or small—moves us closer to a stronger, more connected Filipino American community.

We also call on those who believe in this vision to invest in the Resource Center. Financial support will help us build the infrastructure, tools, and partnerships needed to serve thousands of families across Chicagoland. This is not just funding a program—it is building pathways to stability, growth, and long-term prosperity.

Together, we can create something lasting—an engine of opportunity that reflects the resilience, talent, and generosity of our people. Now is the time to act, to give, and to stand with one another.