The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment reaffirms its foundational commitment to the right of all citizens to access and question their government. This principal is nonpartisan. We believe that no member of the public or elected official, regardless of their political affiliation, should be subjected to the violent and disrespectful treatment Senator Alex Padilla experienced today.
CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap Appointed to LA County Governance Reform Task Force
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2025
Contact: Denise Aquino
Communications Associate
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: denise@causeusa.org
CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap Appointed to LA County Governance Reform Task Force
Los Angeles, CA – Nancy Yap, Executive Director of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE), has been appointed to the Los Angeles County Governance Reform Task Force (GRTF) as an at-large member. Her appointment was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on May 27, 2025. The 13-member Task Force is charged with implementing voter-approved Measure G reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and public participation in County government.
“Nancy Yap’s appointment reflects the very mission of CAUSE—to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through civic engagement and leadership,” said Charlie Woo, CAUSE Board Chair. “Her role on this Task Force ensures that the voices and experiences of AAPI communities will help shape the future of county government at this critical time for reform.”
Members of the Governance Reform Task Force:
Supervisor Appointees:
Brian Calderón Tabatabai (1st District)
Derek Steele (2nd District)
Sara Sadhwani (3rd District)
Marcel Rodarte (4th District)
John Fasana (5th District)
At-Large Appointees (Confirmed May 27, 2025):
Nancy Yap
Gabriela Gironas
Julia Mockeridge
David Phelps
Rosa Soto
Labor Appointees:
David Green (SEIU Local 721)
Derek Hsieh (Coalition of County Unions, ALADS)
Steve Neal (LA County Federation of Labor)
To learn more about the Task Force and each appointee, visit:
→ https://measureg.lacounty.gov/governance-reform-task-force
Nancy Yap brings over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy, civic education, and small business ownership. In addition to leading CAUSE, she is Vice President of the LA City Building and Safety Commission and formerly served as President of the Arts District Little Tokyo Neighborhood Council. Her entrepreneurial background adds a valuable perspective to conversations around governance, equity, and economic access for underrepresented communities.
“It’s an honor to contribute to reforms that will shape a more equitable and accountable Los Angeles County,” said Yap. “This work is deeply aligned with CAUSE’s mission to ensure our communities are represented in every decision-making space.”
About CAUSE:
The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to advance the civic and political empowerment of Asian Pacific American communities. Through leadership development, voter education, and policy advocacy, CAUSE builds a more inclusive and representative democracy. Learn more at www.causeusa.org.
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Jeepney Rides to Vote Center in Los Angeles Eagle Rock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Farrah Su
Senior Communications Manager
Phone: (213) 269-5716
Email: comms@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA - October 30, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is partnering with Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) to engage the Eagle Rock Neighborhood as part of “Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest” on Saturday, November 2nd, from 11am to 3pm at The Oinkster (2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041),
The event will include music, food, karaoke, voter resources and jeepney rides to the nearby vote center at Eagle Rock Library in PWC’s 1944 Jeepney salvaged from the Philippines.
“Asian Americans make up 1.5 million residents in Los Angeles County and 24% of the residents of Eagle Rock. This celebration of civic engagement is meant to engage our communities with food, music, and jeepney rides!” shares CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap.
See more details at: https://bit.ly/togetherwevote2024
This event is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest, a multi-day celebration hosted in Los Angele County’s historic Asian Pacific Islander (API) neighborhoods highlighting community building and civic engagement in the 10 days of early voting leading up to the November 5th General Election.
About CAUSE
The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development. For more information visit: www.causeusa.org.
About Pilipino Workers Center
Founded in 1997, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) is a grassroots non-profit that organizes the low-wage and immigrant Pilipinx communities in the United States. They build collective power to demand better living and working conditions in order to secure the dignity, safety, and economic stability of the Pilipinx community. For more information visit: www.pwcsc.org
Mobile Vote Center Opened until 9PM at the Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party
Los Angeles, CA - October 21, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is partnering with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office to bring an official Mobile Vote Center to the largest Halloween party in Little Tokyo, the 8th Annual Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party.
CAUSE Announces Together We Vote: An API Get Out The Vote Fest
Los Angeles, CA - October 18, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will host a series of events called Together We Vote: An API Get Out the Vote Fest throughout Los Angeles’ historic Asian and Pacific Islander (API) neighborhoods celebrating community and civic engagement in the 10 days of early voting leading up to the November 5 General Election.
CAUSE Tabling at the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival 2024
Open Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Engaging Non-English/Limited-English Proficient Voters in LAC
Open Letter to LA City Council Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform
Open Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Advocating for Inclusivity for LA County's Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan
An open letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support of Agenda Item 10 to ensure inclusivity for Los Angeles County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan through an outreach plan that actively engages vulnerable communities and populations that include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
CAUSE Statement on Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) expresses our deep sadness over the events of the last few days in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay. Our hearts are with the victims, survivors, and their families in this difficult time. We commend and thank the emergency responders, elected representatives, and community leaders who continue to care for our communities.
Over the past three years, Asian American communities have felt particularly vulnerable because of an alarming number of violent incidents targeting Asian Americans. While the threat specific to both areas is no longer immediate, these events, during a time of Lunar New Year celebrations, will undoubtedly have impacts that reverberate far wider than the boundaries of the cities impacted. With 3 out of 4 Asian Americans in California worried about being the victim of physical violence, this community-wide concern about public safety is grounded in reality and needs to be addressed.
More than ever, culturally adept, in-language resources and services are also necessary for these ethnically diverse communities. As our community finds ways to grieve and heal, we must also work together to ensure that our needs are heard and addressed.
Thank you to the leaders who lead in advocating for resources for Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Thank you to the leaders who create safe spaces for us to heal and bring us together as a community. Thank you to everyone who cares for us as we work towards a future where we are all safe and empowered.
If you are in need of assistance or support, the City of Monterey Park, LA County, and other partners set up a resource center at Langley Senior Center, 400 W Emerson Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754. A candlelight vigil is scheduled to take place at Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday, 1/24/23 at 5:30pm. For more information, visit https://www.montereypark.ca.gov/ or call 626-307-1458
LOS ANGELES CITYWIDE POLL REVEALS MULTI-ETHNIC VIEWS OF RACIAL RELATIONS, POLITICAL REPRESENTATION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Los Angeles, CA - December 19, 2022 -- Following the heated race to become Los Angeles’ next mayor, the most recent poll conducted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and the Los Angeles Urban League, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times, focuses on opportunities for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to improve relationships and the state of racial relations in Los Angeles.
CAUSE Congratulates the 2022 Leadership Institute Fellows
The 2022 CAUSE Leadership Institute concluded on June 22, 2022. Over the past six months, the 12 CLI Fellows met weekly to network, develop leadership skills, and learn more about APA issues to elevate their civic engagement. Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, fellows were able to hone their leadership skills and develop impactful relationships all virtually.
New In-Person Voting Options Added in Chinatown and Koreatown for the 2022 Primary
Los Angeles, CA - May 23, 2022 - Chinatown and Koreatown voters will now have several in-person voting options in their neighborhoods for the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election, thanks to the efforts of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE), Korean American Coalition (KAC), AAPI Equity Alliance, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA).
Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown
Join our Efforts: We Need Vote Centers in Koreatown and Chinatown
Through a thread on Twitter on May 9, it was discovered that there were ZERO Vote Centers in both Chinatown and Koreatown residential areas for the 2022 Primary Election.
When asked, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder / County Clerk (RR/CC) reported having trouble working within their current criteria and policies to identify available spaces for this primary election. While we hope to work with them in the long-term to identify where county policies and practices are leading to inequitable service of our communities, we can't let those policies stop us from seeking immediate solutions for this primary. In previous election years, there were locations throughout Koreatown and Chinatown. These sites were overwhelmingly popular and experienced long wait times to vote. We believe this indicates a need for more voting sites, rather than the elimination of all of them.
With Election Day weeks away, we are taking action to determine how we can expand voting access for Chinatown and Koreatown residents who would have difficulty going to a Vote Center outside of their neighborhoods. Access to these Vote Centers is critical as Vote Centers offer key services such as obtaining a replacement vote-by-mail ballot, language assistance services, etc.
At this time of increased Anti-Asian Hate, where 3 out of 4 Asian Americans are worried about physical violence, in the recent poll by CAUSE, asking Asian American, Pacific Islander voters to walk one to two miles, or even several blocks to cast their ballot does not take into account their physical safety. Nor should they have to risk such physical violence in order to be meaningful participants in U.S. civic life. In addition, sites in Koreatown and Chinatown provide language services unavailable at community centers at the edge of their community boundaries.
On Monday, May 16th, CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity, and AAAJ-LA met with RR/CC to understand why this happened, what has been done in the past week to fix the problem, and what else could be done before June 7th. At this meeting, we learned the following:
Securing Vote Centers
Since last Monday and with the assistance of community leaders, one location has been identified in central Chinatown and three are being vetted in the northern half of Koreatown for a 4- or 11- Day Vote Center. The locations are yet to be confirmed, but look promising.
CAUSE, KAC, AAPI Equity and AAAJ-LA advocated for multiple Vote Centers in both neighborhoods in addition to Flex Centers which run for a shorter time in smaller spaces. RR/CC is open to more sites if identified quickly.
Staffing Capacity
These Vote Centers will need staff and volunteers to work between Saturday, May 28 and Tuesday, June 7. RR/CC said it may still be possible to staff newly added Vote Centers IF they are confirmed by the end of the week (5/20/22).
Communications about new Vote Centers
RR/CC planning for social media, postcard/mailers, and work with CBOs. Translations will be at a minimum in Korean, Chinese and Spanish.
Community Asks
Do you have suggestions for potential Vote Center sites in Chinatown and/or Koreatown? In particular, we are seeking assistance in locating a site in the southeast area of Koreatown (sites are being identified north of 6th, but not closer to Olympic – and in particular, in the area of Koreatown that is closer to Olympic between Normandie and Vermont) and any senior centers in both neighborhoods.
Full Vote Center site requirements: https://lavote.gov/docs/rrcc/election-info/VC-Requirements.pdf?v=2
Flex Vote Center site application (please submit even though deadline has passed): https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SHJZBzjqG0WKvqY47dusgdc4Siti35NOvV0uvKxwaxZUQVBZUlBYSVIzQjVBUUNBSDRLMUVLVFJUQi4u&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=&wdLOR=c69E0E773-6DC6-4101-83F3-C13CA50B7E9C
Are you available to work as a volunteer between Saturday, May 28 to Tuesday, June 7? Can you help us spread the word about this need for volunteers?
We are in the process of scheduling future meetings with RR/CC and we will keep the community updated on future developments.
Thank you for your support, and please let me know if you have any questions or would like more information.
Sincerely,
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment
Korean American Coalition
AAPI Equity Alliance
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
STATEWIDE POLL REVEALS MULTI-ETHNIC VIEWS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Los Angeles, CA - May 10, 2022 -- As California reopens its economy and the fear of COVID-19 declines, Californians’ dissatisfaction with crime and public safety has risen during the pandemic according to the most recent statewide poll conducted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and the Los Angeles Urban League, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times.
CAUSE APPLAUDS APPOINTMENT OF KELSEY IINO TO LACCD BOARD OF TRUSTEES VACANCY
CAUSE the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees’ decision to appoint Dr. Kelsey Iino to fill a vacant Board position. Upon reviewing her qualifications, CAUSE has full confidence that Dr. Iino will be an informed and effective advocate for AAPI students on the LACCD Board of Trustees.
CAUSE RELEASES 2022 LOS ANGELES MAYORAL VIDEO SERIES
Statement to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees ON AAPI COMMUNITY NEEDS
CAUSE Encourages Voter Participation in 49th Assembly District Special Primary Election on February 15, 2022
CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL MAPS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- During the late evening hours of Monday, December 20, 2021, the Commission voted to approve the final Congressional, Senate, and Assembly maps, which can be viewed here. This marks one of the last steps of the redistricting process as the Commission is required to post these maps for 3 days before they will be final. By law, maps need to be certified by December 27, 2021, so they are unlikely to change. Once finalized, these maps will play a major role in the future of our communities and California politics for the next decade.