Standing in Solidarity
Since the pandemic began, nearly 4,000 instances of discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have been reported in the United States. Overall, nearly 70% of incidents were against women and more than 40% were against those of Chinese descent. Our own city is not immune to such hate -- the NYPD recorded 29 anti-Asian attacks in 2020.
On March 16 in Atlanta, eight people were murdered in a mass shooting, six of whom were Asian and all but one were women. The increase in violence and discrimination against the AAPI community is tragic and unacceptable. It must be recognized, called out, and denounced. We remember Daoyou Feng, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Paul Andre Michels, Soon Chung Park, Xiaojie Tan, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Yong Ae Yue, and honor their stories.
We acknowledge the grief and fear these continued assaults, and the longstanding racism that fueled them, creates within our own city. We also acknowledge the pain that directly results from the failure of society to address misogyny and gender-based violence. Violence against any marginalized community is an attack on us all, and we must move forward in solidarity.
We stand with the AAPI community and condemn xenophobia, white supremacy, racism, and misogyny. We also stand with the many organizations and grassroots efforts working directly to support AAPI communities across the country. We encourage you to engage with the following efforts, operating locally and nationally, and to share them across your networks.
Stop APPI Hate
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.Anti-Asian Violence Resources
An extensive list of educational resources, organizations to support, how to get involved, and more.Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) is the nation’s only pan-Asian children and families’ advocacy organization bringing together community-based organizations as well as youth and community allies to fight for equity for Asian Pacific Americans (APAs).Chinese-American Planning Council
Chinese-American Planning Council’s mission is to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities.Korean American Community Foundation
The Korean American Community Foundation‘s mission is to transform and empower communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and inter-community bridge building. KACF pursues these goals through grantmaking that promotes self-sufficiency for the underserved and under-resourced, through raising awareness of needs and issues, and by fostering a culture of giving.Mekong
Mekong NYC aims to improve the quality of life of the Southeast Asian community in the Bronx and throughout New York City by achieving equity through community organizing and healing, promoting arts, culture, and language, and creating a safety net by improving access to essential social services.The Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
KCS’ mission is to be a bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome any economic, health and linguistic barriers so that they become independent and thriving members of the community.
Asian Americans for Equality
Through community development, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) advances racial, social and economic justice for Asian Americans and other systematically disadvantaged communities, guided by our experiences as Asian Americans and our commitment to civil rights.
South Bronx Parent Council
We are excited to announce the kickoff of our South Bronx Parent Council! Parent council members will be actively involved in our current work and will be instrumental in designing future initiatives. Council members will engage virtually to discuss community issues, develop a set of priorities, and have the opportunity to work directly with the various working groups SBRT has launched.
In order for collective impact to be successful and sustainable, community voice and lived experience must be centered in strategy conversations and decision-making. By ensuring the people involved within a collective impact framework are representative of and from the community, we get that much closer to creating community-driven solutions.
Do you work with parents who are passionate about advocacy and creating change? We encourage you to share this leadership opportunity with them! All parent council members will be financially compensated.
Advocacy Corner
Preliminary Education Budget Hearing Testimony
Last week we, along with many other advocates, submitted written testimony for the city council preliminary education budget hearing. You can read our testimony about supporting family child care providers here.
State Budget Advocacy: Letter Writing
Take action by writing New York state leadership on the various issues impacting New York children! Our partners at Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York have created ways for you to quickly and effectively connect with state leaders on issues most important to you and the communities you serve. Follow the links below to send a letter!
Online Learning: Protect funding for New York’s Schools and Their Students
Housing Security: Help Prevent Family Homelessness
Mental Health: Support Mental Health Service for Children
Child Care: Invest in Early Care and Education
Food Security: Fight Child Poverty
Partner Corner
BX Farm to Table Series
Tune in every month to learn or reconnect with delicious ways to use Bronx-grown, in-season produce. Guest chefs will create culturally relevant, healthy meals and other nourishing goods (e.g. shea butter and home made medicines) live with families. Register here.
Apply for 3K and PreK!
As of February 24, both 3K and PreK applications have opened to the public. Families that have a child born in 2018 are now eligible to submit a 3K Application, and the deadline to apply is May 28. Families that have a child born in 2017 are now eligible to submit a PreK Application, and the deadline to apply is by April 7. More information, including how to apply, can be found here.
The Vaccine for All Corps is hiring for vaccine support positions!
The City will hire 2,000 New Yorkers to work on City-run vaccination efforts as part of the Vaccine for All Corps. No health care experience is required for many positions, which include roles in site management, operations, and client services, in addition to clinical roles. Click here to apply!
Literacy Partners
Literacy Partners is proud to present La Fuerza de Familias Latinas, a new program of education for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers that helps them boost their children’s early learning, social emotional growth, and school readiness. Learn more about the program here or fill out the application to join!
New York Public Library Events
Autism Awareness Month Storytime & Craft: April 2 at 11 a.m.
Join NYPL’s Morrisania & Tremont Children's Team as we read aloud picture books to bring awareness to autism followed by an awesome sensory arts and craft event. Register here.
Earth Day Storytime & Craft: April 21 at 11 a.m.
Join NYPL’s Morrisania Children's Team as we read aloud picture books about Earth Day followed by a fantastic arts and craft event. Register here.
Upcoming Events
Family Child Care Collective Response Convening: March 29 at 1 p.m.
Join family child care providers and advocates working to streamline resources and communication across NYC to support the workforce that provides early education to our youngest children!
Bronx Impact Food Access Collective: March 30 at 12:30 p.m.
This group of community advocates is working to realize a collective vision of food justice for all Bronx residents by identifying policy and programmatic strategies to address the structural inequities which repress equitable access to food and nutrition. The group meets bi-weekly on Tuesdays.
South Bronx Parent Council Kickoff: April 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Are you a parent or caregiver in the South Bronx who wants to see meaningful change that ensures families can thrive? Join us to learn more about the South Bronx Parent Council. The first 20 parents who register and attend will receive a $25 gift card!