Threads of Change: Partnerships in Action with Bank of America

At CASL, meaningful change is built through partnership. By working alongside corporate partners, volunteers, and community members, CASL expands its ability to break down barriers, strengthen neighborhoods, and create opportunities for people across Chicago. Partnerships with organizations like Bank of America demonstrate how shared values and collective action can lead to lasting impact. 

One of those partners is Isabella Maisiner, vice president of corporate security and Bank of America volunteer, whose involvement with CASL reflects the power of service rooted in community and cultural pride. 

Below, Isabella tells her story, highlighting her experience with hands-on volunteerism and how her partnerships with CASL turn moments of action into lasting Threads of Change. 

On a crisp morning in Chicago’s Chinatown, I joined fellow Bank of America volunteers with gloves and trash bags, ready to make a difference. Helping with the Chinatown cleanup was a simple but meaningful way for me to show pride in our shared heritage and help create a welcoming environment for everyone. 

That day wasn’t just about cleaning the streets—it was about connection. Seeing volunteers from different backgrounds come together reminded me how small actions, like picking up litter, can create a strong sense of pride and belonging within a community. 

To me, CASL represents empowerment and dignity for the community. Being part of this effort—even in a small way—felt meaningful. As an Asian American, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate language and cultural differences, and I value organizations like CASL that make those transitions easier. 

CASL helps in so many ways—whether it’s assistance with translation, paperwork, or connecting families to essential resources. Their work removes barriers and creates opportunities for people who need support, and that mission resonates deeply with me. 

What stands out to me most about CASL is how comprehensive and human-centered their work is. CASL isn’t just providing services—it’s supporting people through every stage of life with compassion and respect. 

I’ve seen how CASL reduces language and cultural barriers so individuals and families can integrate successfully while still honoring their heritage. When someone receives the support they need—whether that’s help navigating health care, accessing education, or finding employment—it creates stability not just for that person, but for their entire family. 

To me, CASL is more than an organization. It’s a catalyst for change. Every dollar and every hour invested creates ripple effects that strengthen neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. When families feel supported and empowered, communities truly prosper.

What I also admire about CASL is that their programs focus on both immediate needs and long-term opportunity. Their workforce development programs equip people with practical skills and connect them to meaningful employment, helping individuals build confidence and independence. 

CASL’s senior programs provide care, companionship, and dignity, while also creating job opportunities that support the broader community. Immigration and family services help people navigate complex systems that can otherwise feel overwhelming, especially when language and cultural barriers exist. 

I’m especially excited about CASL’s vision for the future with the development of a new Community Hub on a 5.3-acre riverfront site. This project represents so much more than a physical space. It will expand access to education, workforce development, senior care, and immigration support, while also offering green space and outdoor recreation for communities across Chicago. 

Seeing CASL invest in spaces that bring people together and meet evolving community needs reinforces why partnerships like this matter so much to me. 

Partnerships like the one between CASL and Bank of America highlight the power of collaboration in creating lasting impact. Through volunteerism, shared values, and investment in community, partners help CASL expand its reach and deepen its impact. 

When organizations invest in people, they invest in the future of our city.
CASL invites corporate partners, volunteers, and supporters to join in building the next Threads of Change—together.