Nurturing change together

Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF) was founded to help address domestic violence and sexual assault in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Our mission is to build healthy and safe communities by addressing the root causes and consequences of family violence and violence against women. We are committed to meeting the specific cultural and language needs of Asian and Pacific Islander women and their families.

Our vision is of an Asian and Pacific Islander community that embraces healthy relationships and works in partnership with other communities to eradicate all forms of violence.

OUR History

Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF) began in 1978, when Nilda Rimonte, a Filipina American woman, questioned whether an immigrant Asian or Pacific Islander (API) woman experiencing domestic or sexual violence could get help – any help. When she found no clear options available, she pioneered the programs we use today at CPAF. Check out these LA Times articles from 1981 and ‘82.

CPAF is a non-profit organization recognized nationally for its pioneering work in addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse within the Los Angeles API community. We created the first multi-lingual 24-hour helpline assisting API survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the nation.

In 1981, we opened the first multi-lingual and multi-cultural domestic violence emergency shelter in the nation that specialized in serving API survivors. We were also the first to open a multi-lingual and multi-cultural transitional program focusing on the needs of survivors who seek to establish independent, violence-free lives.

In 2005, we expanded our Community Program, focused on community engagement and violence prevention programs. We provide a wide range of comprehensive services, all free of charge, in up to 30 API languages.