Friends of Roots
About Friends of Roots
Founded in 2011, Friends of Roots serves the San Francisco, CA community as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to help participants experience their roots in China through education, family history research, and meaningful journeys to ancestral villages. The organization was established to advance education through the research, documentation, and archiving of Asian American genealogy and cultural heritage while promoting understanding of historical immigration patterns among persons of Asian descent. Friends of Roots recognizes the diverse identities within the Chinese American experience—from first-generation immigrants to multiple-generation descendants, whether identifying as FOB, ABC, 1.5 generation, or any other cultural designation—and welcomes all who seek to explore what it means to be Chinese American. With dedicated support from alumni board members and program volunteers, Friends of Roots creates transformative opportunities for young adults to discover the connections linking them to their past while placing themselves within the broader Chinese American narrative. The organization's commitment extends to preserving and sharing Asian history and culture, ensuring that the stories, experiences, and heritage of Asian American communities are documented and celebrated for future generations. By facilitating once-in-a-lifetime journeys of discovery, Friends of Roots strengthens cultural identity and community bonds throughout San Francisco and beyond.