Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Meet Grayson Lin, Business Operation Coordinator 

Employee Grayson Lin has been a dependable communicator for fellow residents within the Chinese community at NYCHA. 

Multilingual in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, Mr. Lin previously served with the Family Partnerships Department as a community associate and resident advisor before joining the Resident Relocation Services Department (RRSD) as a Business Operation Coordinator. During his years as a NYCHA employee, many Chinese-speaking residents, including seniors at LaGuardia Houses Addition near Chinatown, have relied on his assistance with completing annual recertifications or translating important documents, letters, and various information about NYCHA programs and services.   

A resident of LaGuardia Houses for more than 10 years, Mr. Lin is among the NYCHA community members whose service and contributions are celebrated during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May. For Mr. Lin, who emigrated to New York City from southeastern China nearly 30 years ago, AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who came before him.  

“Our ancestors came here from China to get a better life, and it’s a great way to give thanks and pay our respects to them,” said Mr. Lin, who spoke no English when he immigrated with his family in fifth grade. “They are the pioneers who worked their whole life trying to give a better life to the next generations.”  

After earning a bachelor’s degree in data analytics from Baruch College, Mr. Lin taught Chinese and English at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York before joining the NYCHA workforce several years ago. As a former member of the Family Partnerships team, he was assigned to assist fellow residents at LaGuardia Houses Addition, a senior development where a majority of residents are ethnically Chinese. Mr. Lin relished the opportunity to get to know other residents from the same background and culture while helping them access vital information and resources.  

“It’s a pleasure to work with people of the same race because they need help and I’m there to help them,” he said.  

For the past few years, Mr. Lin has continued to provide support through Resident Relocation Services, helping to ensure a smooth process for residents who may need to be temporarily relocated to a hotel or hospitality apartment while repairs in their apartment are performed. The RRSD team, which seeks to match residents to accommodations that meet their needs, was recognized with the 2024 Excellence in Customer Service Award by the Mayor’s Office of Operations.  

“It feels great that people know that we’re working hard for everybody,” Mr. Lin said of the award recognition. 

Mr. Lin, who enjoys celebrating his heritage during Chinese festivals and Lunar New Year events in the city, is proud to help enhance the quality of life of fellow Chinese immigrants and the larger NYCHA community through his career at the Authority.  

“It means a lot to me to know that I’m helping my community,” he said.