Newsletter
AACI Newsletter September 2010
Welcome to the summer edition of AACI’s newsletter!
In this issue, we are pleased to share news of how AACI has recently extended its presence in Cupertino, our work assisting with the national census, and current volunteer efforts.
It’s great to be in touch with our friends in the community who help make our work possible. Thank you for reading, and thanks again for your continued support of AACI.
Sincerely,
Michele Lew
TOPBank of America Volunteers Make a Difference
As part of Bank of America’s “Million Hour Challenge,” an initiative to donate time to local communities, Bank of America employees volunteered at Asian Women’s Home, AACI’s Domestic Violence Program and Shelter. These volunteers provided valuable help cleaning and organizing the storage room at AACI’s emergency shelter for abused women and their children.
The shelter’s storage room houses supplies such as toiletries, clothing, diapers, and other everyday items. When a woman makes the decision to leave her abuser, it is essential that she has all the resources she needs to begin a new life. Having easy and dependable access to these supplies facilitates this transition.”We are so thankful to the Bank of America volunteers for their help organizing supplies for our shelter residents. If a mother and her family can get the help they need, they’re more likely to remain safe. The volunteers’ work expedites this crucial process,” said AACI’s Resource Development Director Tamon Norimoto.
In addition to providing shelter, AACI’s family advocates provide case management services in 14 languages and dialects, including safety planning and support groups. Asian Women’s Home also provides a 24-hour crisis hotline that acts as a gateway to services, information, and support.
If you or your organization would like to volunteer, please contact Darcie Kiyan at darcie.kiyan@aaci.org or call (408) 975-2730 extension 306.
AACI Extends Reach into Cupertino through West Valley Community Services
Through a generous grant from El Camino Hospital, AACI is partnering with Cupertino-based West Valley Community Services (WVCS) to provide on-site mental health support and outreach services to WVCS clients.
Cupertino’s population is 57% Asian; many who struggle to speak English or speak no English at all. For these residents requiring mental health services, AACI fills a critical gap by providing help in their primary language.
AACI’s expertise with delivering quality care to Asian populations will complement the range of assistance WVCS currently provides to low-income, elderly individuals, and families in transition.
AACI staff have been actively outreaching into the community to get the word out about the program, especially targeting monolingual Asian seniors.
“Through education and outreach, we’re helping families who would otherwise not seek help due to cultural stigma associated with mental health,” commented Dr. Jennifer Malone, AACI Quality Improvement, Compliance, and Training Manager who oversees the program.
Bilingual AACI therapists provide on-site services such as individual therapy, support groups, and asset building classes for children. Clients in need of additional long-term support will be referred to AACI’s San Jose office.
If you would like more information about our mental health services, please call (408) 975-2730.
Census 2010: Ensuring Everyone in Our Community Counts
Census data determines how to allocate more than $400 billion in federal funding for human services such as hospitals, schools and transportation projects, as well as determine the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Throughout the spring and summer, AACI collaborated with various community based organizations and the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure a complete count, especially for hard-to-count populations such as immigrants, youth, and low-income families. AACI took a multi-pronged approach to target these populations to ensure that our community was counted including grassroots canvassing, ethnic media outreach, and educational events.
After canvassing door-to-door, AACI was able to see a tremendous increase in participation rates. In 2000, this tract had a 70% participation rate compared to 80% in 2010. The 10% increase in participation is astounding given that most jurisdictions may only be able increase their participation rate by one or two percent.
The final Census Bureau data will be released on April 1, 2011.
AACI’s Census 2010 Outreach Project was made possible through grants from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the Asian Pacific Fund.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date!
AACI presents Maintaining Harmony: Victim Safety and Batterer Accountability on Thursday, October 7, 2010
*With special guest Assembymember Paul Fong*
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Registration- 6:30 pm
Program- 7:00-9:00 pm
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
2400 Moorpark Avenue, Room 210
San Jose, CA 95128
Asian and Pacific Islander (API) social dynamics often contribute to the isolation of victims and the reinforcement of the abuser’s power and control. Learn and discuss the challenges presented by these dynamics and share ideas as to how to effectively address domestic violence on an individual and community level.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.firstthursdays.org.
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