Everyone can do something
CPAF Family,
As the pandemic continues so does our work to support survivors. We've updated our website with the latest Covid-19 protocols and how we're implementing them at CPAF. We also continue to reflect on the systems we operate within and the way we do our work. This past month we’ve been talking about workplace violence. What can you do when you witness workplace violence? This has been brought up at CPAF and other agencies that we partner with because it occurs everywhere, and everyone can do something to foster safer work environments. Check out more on what workplace violence looks like and some suggestions and reflections on how to help in our recent post. For more on Bystander Intervention Training, visit https://www.ihollaback.org/.
We hope you stay safe and check in with those around you.
Community Program Updates
The Return of our Virtual Youth Space: The Greenhouse
After a 5-month hiatus, the Greenhouse is back! Greenhouse is CPAF’s monthly virtual space for API youth (13-18 years) to form connections with each other and engage in activities that uplift cultural identity, relationship building, and more. Last week's session included an activity mapping family and community trees. If you know youth who might be interested in attending the next workshop to be held on September 29th, follow CPAF's youth-centered Instagram to find out the topic!
Prevention Work in the Community
The pandemic hasn’t stopped CPAF’s Prevention Program staff from continuing to work with youth and adults to advance policy changes and bridge gender inequities at the high school level. Through our exciting partnerships with San Gabriel High School and the Alhambra School District, CPAF is helping to elevate the dialogue on teen dating violence prevention and facilitate connections among both youth networks and adult allies. Pictured with Katherine Lee, Mayor of Alhambra District 1, CPAF's Community Engagement Coordinator Willie Dawson shared, "As part of my community mapping, I am identifying Adult Allies and organizations that we may wish to collaborate with. I went to the chamber to inquire about membership and was invited to attend the business mixer.... In our line of work and especially when we are trying to enact policy changes, we need to know the right people to get things done; whether they are politicians, organizations, schools, etc." We are looking forward to a brand-new school year of building relationships and creating community-rooted change! Stay tuned!
Online Advocate Training
Summer advocate training wrapped up at the beginning of July and fall advocate training starts this week!
Staff Updates
Making an Impact
We’ve said goodbye to several staff members recently including: CPAF's Interim Fiscal Coordinator; Sarah Tran, AmeriCorps VISTA Community Relations Specialist; Katherine Pool, Interim Remote Counselor; Heidi Lee, Volunteer Program Coordinator; Matilda, Youth Engagement Specialist; an Interim Residential Counselor; Rebecca Shea, Interim Director of Development; and a second Interim Remote Counselor. We miss them already and are grateful for the impact they’ve had on our organization. Several of them are pursuing graduate education but no matter their path we’re excited for their next steps and happy that CPAF was part of their journeys.
Fortunately, we’ve welcomed more great people to our teams:
Terri Inda, Shelter Program Manager (2020)
Willie Dawson, Community Engagement Coordinator (2020)
Rucha Tadwalkar, Interim Development Coordinator
JoAnne Buonya, Residential Counselor
Manmeet Kaur, Interim Youth Engagement Specialist
Interested in joining one of our teams? Check out our job openings:
Community Engagement Coordinator, Part-time (30 hours)
Senior Virtual Community Outreach Specialist, Mandarin-speaking
Residential Counselor, Emergency Shelter Program
Shelter Program Updates
Healing Gardens Keep Growing
CPAF clients and staff continue to spend time in the communal garden each week and have started on some new vegetation. Among the plantings are herbs grown from seed because the plants were not readily available in nurseries. As produce becomes ready, we are texting clients to come harvest. One of the staff managers noted, "We are still learning how to garden.. lots of trial and error and a lot of fun!" Check out the holy basil on the left and the berry shrub on the right.
Development Updates
Comedy for a board-led campaign
Friday the 13th was a lucky day for members of the Blue Shield of California Asian Pacific Alliance Employee Resource Group (APA ERG). Inspired by their former colleague and current CPAF Board member Anchulee Raongthum, APA ERG undertook a challenge campaign to raise $1,000 for CPAF, with the incentive of a virtual comedy fundraiser for Blue Shield employees featuring the Bay Area-based Crazy Funny Asians. The campaign quickly took off due to the enthusiasm and generosity of the group. In the end, 84 donors and the Blue Shield matching donations resulted in nearly $10,000 being raised for CPAF! Thank you!
The virtual comedy event took place on the afternoon of Friday, August 13th. The lineup consisted of K. Cheng, Pallavi Gunalan, Andrew Orolfo, and Irene Tu.
Many Blue Shield APA members have been supporters and volunteers for CPAF, and CPAF is excited to be able to welcome more APA members to learn about domestic violence prevention. In addition to the APA ERG, the USI insurance Asian ERG also helped Anchulee with the planning and the details for the event. Anchulee said, “This fantastic team really wanted to do a fun event and raise money for CPAF at the same time. Although we haven't been able to do in-person fundraisers, we can still find ways to connect and fundraise for CPAF. I am hoping we can do an in-person show in the future.”
Donor Thank Yous
Thank you to the Apple employees who have donated through their “How to support the Asian community in America” employee giving campaign. We couldn’t do this work without generous donations like yours!
Did you know that many companies will match donations made by their employees? You could double or triple the impact of your gift to CPAF. To find out more, contact CPAF at development@cpaf.info or check with your company about a matching gift.
We want to share more about the generous foundation and corporate donors who have supported CPAF. Recently, we have received grants from the Pobladores Fund of the Liberty Hill Foundation, Amgen Foundation, Bank of America, GoFundMe, CTBC Bank, Women’s Foundation California, and an anonymous foundation.
