This study examines the role of adult education in bringing about social change through community development initiatives at a grassroots organisation called SUCCESS (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society), an immigrant community organisation in Vancouver, Canada. It adopts a case study approach. The study focuses on the historical development of SUCCESS, the provision of programmes and services, major changes in SUCCESS, and the social forces behind the changes. The study reveals that SUCCESS was founded in 1973 in response to the failure of government agencies and mainstream organisations to provide accessible social services and adult education programmes for newly arrived Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong. During its first 25 years of existence, SUCCESS helped build a community for adult immigrants where they felt they belonged. It played multiple roles with a three-pronged focus: providing professional services and adult education programmes, advocating on behalf of immigrants, and facilitating citizenship education and community development. This study exemplifies the role of adult education for social change. It demonstrates that grassroots organisations are important sites for emancipatory learning and social action. (Contains 1 note.)