Since our inception in July of 1985—over thirty-five years ago—The Alliance has transformed the lives of countless refugees, immigrants, and other neighbors in need. Follow the pathway below to learn more about The Alliance’s history!
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July 1985
Alliance for Multicultural Community Services is founded through a union of Cambodian, Ethiopian, Laotian and Vietnamese refugee organizations
January 1986
The agency is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation under the name of Refugee Services Alliance; begins to offer adjustment counseling services to refugees in Harris County
October 1986
Begins offering employment & self-sufficiency services
October 1991
The Alliance becomes a Resettlement Agency affiliated with ECDC (Ethiopian Community Development Council) which has a cooperative agreement with the Department of State and the Office of Refugee Resettlement
1995
The interpretation program launches, later to be known as the Alliance Language Network. The Alliance also introduces Adult Education and Workforce Training programs
April 1999
The agency changes its name from Refugee Services Alliance (RSA) to Alliance for Multicultural Community Services. Became the first nonprofit in the nation to open a Driver’s Education program for refugees
2001
The Alliance begins providing youth services with our Youth Empowerment program. In 2002, the at-risk youth project expands to become the Kijana Youth Program and includes academic and tutorial support, summer job placement, and other services
November 2004
Alliance for Multicultural Community Services is ranked among the top 25 charitable non-profits organizations in the Greater Houston area by the Houston Business Journal
September 2009
The Alliance opens the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) and SBA Microlending Program to help community members achieve their financial goals and to support small business owners
December 2016
Alliance Language Network and Driver's Education programs evolve into social enterprise business units
2017
The Alliance Wellness Center (later Alliance Wellness Clinic) opens to support the emotional care, behavioral health, and mental health needs of all Houston-area residents
June 2017
The Community Cloth becomes a microenterprise program of The Alliance after merging with the agency
November 2018
The Alliance opens an office at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center to provide Adult Education, Financial Opportunity Center, and Disaster Recovery Services
April 2018
The agency rebrands with a new logo and formally transitions to the name The Alliance
April 2018
The Alliance is recognized by the City of Houston for its 33 years of serving the community
January 2020
The Alliance partners with the City of Houston to launch the Houston Financial Empowerment Centers, based out of the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center. The HFECs offer free financial counseling for all Houston residents
2020
The Alliance launches the Center for New Americans, Center for Resiliency, Center for Entrepreneurship, and Center for Literacy and Advancement
