亞美政聯CAUSE今天與多個亞太裔社區的組織代表，及加州州務卿帕迪亞，為2020年的選舉與人口普查，舉辦了新聞發佈會。以呼籲亞太裔民眾為了亞太裔群體以及自身的合法權益，因積極參與投票及人口普查。
州务卿帕迪拉呼吁亚太裔踊跃参加人口普查 (US China Press)
【侨报记者高睿2月11日洛杉矶报道】亚美政联（CAUSE）11日联合代表亚太裔社区的多个南加社团在洛杉矶日美博物馆举行题为“加入普查”（Make Us Count）的记者会，希望透过媒体的宣传向亚太裔居民宣传参加2020人口普查的重要性，加州州务卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）受邀到场并做了主题演讲。
帕迪拉在会上介绍了3月份即将到来的总统大选以及即将表决的一系列提案，称南加百姓踊跃参加人口普查对这场选举、关系到切身利益的提案结果以及自己能否得到联邦拨款关系十分重大。“因为不论你什么身份，公民、绿卡也好，无证移民也罢，只要你加入人口普查，联邦政府一律拿出每个人每年2000元的政府拨款给加州，按照10年一次的统计周期计算，一个人10年下来就可得到2万元的联邦拨款。
帕迪拉强调，很多无证移民过去不敢参加人口普查，生怕自己的非法身份暴露出来，导致被移民局遣返。“人口普查的资料绝对保密，该项数据决不允许任何人、任何政府部门以任何借口拿去分享，该数据仅用于人口统计和争取联邦拨款的目的。过去的10年由于很多无证移民没有加入人口普查，导致加州少得了几十亿的联邦拨款，这么一大笔政府拨款对加州的经济建设而可谓言举足轻重”。
帕迪拉向亚裔社区介绍人口普查的重要性。侨报记者高睿摄
周柏华（左）和吴孟臻呼吁华裔选民积极参加人口普查。侨报记者高睿摄
胡泽群（中）和与会者一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄
华美银行副董事长王国兰作为活动赞助商在会上发言。侨报记者高睿摄
亚美政联主席胡泽群表示，亚裔占加州人口的15%，因此亚裔人口的统计在人口普查过程中尤为重要，这不仅在于我们能从联邦那里每年得到多少政府经费，更体现在这15%的选票对美国政坛的影响，对选举结果和各项立法能否通过的不可忽视的作用。要充分体现亚裔选民对美国政治生态的影响，我们各个亚裔社团就必须紧密合作，形成强大的政治力量，这样才能让亚裔社区的合法权益得到切实的保障。
钻石吧市议员周柏华表示，亚裔在加州是增长最快的人口，但过去的10年亚裔人口一直没有被充分统计普查，加州政府和亚裔社区也因此少得了几十亿的联邦拨款，这笔经费对加州和地方政府的经济建设、商业发展和教育计划都有着极大的影响。他希望南加华人积极参加人口普查，为自己的合法权益得到充分的保障而做出应有的贡献。
艾尔蒙迪学区教委吴孟臻指出，人口普查对美国华人十分重要，每人10年两万元的联邦拨款可直接造福加州的经济、教育和交通建设。小孩上学的费用，营养午餐的费用，学校教职员工的薪水等全靠这笔联邦拨款。如果哪些华人因为身份问题或其他原因没有参加人口普查，在未来的10年里加州的教育经费就会被削减。由于加州人口的负增长，很多学区因生源不足导致部分学校不得不关门倒闭。
亞美政聯和州務卿合作 動員亞裔3月初選投票 (World Journal)
亞美政聯和州務卿合作動員亞裔3月初選投票。左一為亞美政聯主席胡澤群，右三為州務卿帕迪拉。（記者丁曙／攝影）
洛杉磯亞太裔社區領袖出席動員會。（記者丁曙／攝影）
影音來源：記者丁曙
2020年3月3日初選即將來臨，為動員數百萬亞太裔積極參與、踴躍選票，亞美政聯（CAUSE）和加州州務卿辦公室合作，11日在日美國家博物館舉行「讓我們投票計數」（Make Us Count）新聞發布會，強調今年選舉有兩大特點，一是新的投票模式非常便利，延長投票時間，和提供多種亞洲語言的選票，移除了語言障礙；二是加州初選日期提前三個月，亞太裔（APA）的投票動向在全國具有示範作用，鼓勵亞太裔選民要在初選日衝高投票率。
亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）指出，對數百萬亞太裔，2020年是至關重要的大選年，可扮演關鍵少數角色。亞美政聯與加州州務卿合作，推動亞太裔融入主流政治展開對話，提高亞太裔投票率。
加州州務卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）表示，今年投票方式有重大改變，實施「選民選擇法案」（Voter’s Choice Act），提供更方便選擇。包括大幅提早投票日期，增設多個社區投票中心，提供多種少數族裔語言選票，包括多種亞洲語言，幫助不諳英語的新移民移除障礙。此外，亞裔還要積極參加人口普查，確保公平和準確的人口普查數據，作為申請聯邦經費依據，直接關係亞裔社區利益。
鑽石吧華裔市議員周柏華（Andrew Chou）和山景學區華裔教委吳孟臻（Cindy Wu）代表華裔民選官員協會（CEO），呼籲華人和亞裔選民重視和投入3月3日初選。
亞太社區基金會執行長黃群雁指出，以往大選年加州初選都在6月上旬舉行，然而此時其他很多州的初選早已結束，加州的選舉變得不很重要。但今年加州初選首次提前到3月。加州是美國最大州，加州動向舉足輕重，因此加州的亞裔要踴躍投票。
華美銀行資深副總裁，行銷部兼社區發展部總監（Emily Wang），該銀行贊助拍攝公益廣告片，宣傳用選票發聲的重要性，讓政府聽到亞裔的聲音，才能為自己爭取應有的權益。
鑽石吧市議員周柏華（左）和山景學區教委吳孟臻代表華裔民選官員協會，呼籲華人選民投入加州3月初選。（記者丁曙／攝影）
加州州務卿帕迪拉介紹今年的投票方式有了重大改變。（記者丁曙／攝影）
便利加州選民投票 增加多國語言服務 (ETTV America)
2020年「美國大選」開始起跑，為鼓勵華人踴躍投票，「亞美政聯 與 華美銀行」特別聯合 加州州務卿，呼籲華人選民 提早 登記投票。
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla joins CAUSE, APA Leaders for “Make Us Count” Press Conference
Los Angeles, CA – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), in conjunction with local community organizations representing the diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities, will host the “Make Us Count” Press Conference featuring California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10:00AM.
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla joins CAUSE, APA Leaders for “Make Us Count” Press Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Who:
The Honorable Alex Padilla
California Secretary of State
Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE
Tami Bui
Associate VP, Government & Community Relations at California State University, Fullerton
Board Member, CAUSE
Caroline Choi
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Southern California Edison
Emily Wang
Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing and Community Development, East West Bank
What: The “Make Us Count” Press Conference will focus on the new voting model, emphasize the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, and discuss the availability of in-language ballots to encourage voter participation in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
When: Tuesday, February 11, 2019
10:00 AM - 11:30AM
Where: Japanese American National Museum, Toshio Inahara Gallery Foyer
100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Street parking and nearby lots are available at varying rates.
Why: The “Make Us Count” Press Conference will provide an invaluable opportunity for community leaders to engage with the Secretary of State, opening dialogue for ways to improve voter participation in the APA community, along with how the public and non-profit sectors can work together to increase voter turnout.
Interview Opportunities:
Press will have the opportunity to ask questions during the Press Conference. Individual interviews may be conducted after the program at the discretion of speakers and attending community leaders. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.
Photo Opportunities:
The Honorable Alex Padilla
Charlie Woo
Tami Bui
Caroline Choi
Emily Wang
Various APA community leaders & organization representatives
Dress code:
Business attire is appropriate.
About CAUSE
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.
Since its founding 1993, CAUSE has led efforts to drive APA civic engagement, from facilitating in-language Get Out The Vote workshops in the Greater Los Angeles Area to hosting the first-ever APA-facing gubernatorial debate in California history in 2018. CAUSE plans to continue efforts in 2020 to mobilize the community by providing the knowledge, access, and network to inspire APAs of all ages to voice their vote.
For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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CAUSE Announces Departure of Kim Yamasaki, Outgoing Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA – As of January 3rd, 2020, Kim Yamasaki has formally resigned from her position as Executive Director of CAUSE. The decision was personal and came from her desire to lean into her entrepreneurial spirit to start a social impact business with a colleague.
Kim first became involved with CAUSE in 2013 when she was a student intern through the CAUSE Leadership Academy summer internship program. Her passion to serve the Asian Pacific American community led to her being recruited to help coordinate the program the following summer, and to the position of Executive Director soon after. CAUSE staff and board members are extremely grateful for Kim’s leadership for the past five and a half years. From streamlined/mission-aligned programming to bolstering and elevating the organizational brand — CAUSE has made tremendous strides under her direction. CAUSE staff intend to continue to build upon Kim’s vision of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation and wish her the best in exploring her full potential beyond her role at CAUSE.
“I will always be thankful to CAUSE, the Board of Directors, especially our Board Chair Charlie Woo, our team of staff, volunteers, and the countless supporters in the community. I grew up in the community and the community raised me. It was an honor and privilege to give back to those same communities,” said Kim Yamasaki, outgoing CAUSE Executive Director.
“While we are saddened by her departure, we always take great pride to see young leaders from the CAUSE family spreading their wings to pursue their passions outside the organization. I will miss working side by side with her as I have for the past five and a half years. She was an amazing colleague who shared my vision and passion for CAUSE,” said Charlie Woo, CAUSE Board Chair.
The CAUSE Board of Directors has put together a search committee to actively recruit a new Executive Director over the next few months. During this time, Richard Leong, previously CAUSE Director of Programs & Strategic Innovation, will be acting as the Interim Executive Director. Kim Yamasaki will also be involved in the transition process as an organization consultant on a contractual basis.
CAUSE has always been rooted in our Leadership Development programs and plans to continue to ensure their ongoing development and execution in 2020 and beyond. CAUSE staff are committed to upholding our values of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring our program participants receive the necessary knowledge, access, and network to enhance their growth as leaders.
About CAUSE
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 any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
# # #
課業兼顧興趣 華裔養女進名校 (World Journal)
瓦薩學院畢業典禮，梅妮和養父母全家歡慶。（校友梅妮提供）
瓦薩學院歡迎2017屆新同學梅妮到來。（校友梅妮提供）
梅妮（Lianne May）出生於中國浙江省杭州附近，嬰兒時期被一對美國白人夫婦從福利院領養，定居科羅拉多州Boulder市。身為在美國中產家庭長大的華裔女孩，梅妮從小熱愛學習、音樂和運動，2017年畢業於著名文理學院瓦薩學院（Vassar College），主修心理學和西班牙裔研究。她的教育和求職經歷與華人新移民家庭的孩子不同，對跨入美國名校大門提供了新視角。
養父從事化學科技、養母任職小學教師，梅妮是這個白人家庭唯一的孩子。高中四年，選修許多AP課程和榮譽課程，升入大學後覺得課業沒有想像中艱難。她喜歡游泳，訓練了八年成為花式游泳選手；這項運動教會了她團隊合作、如何在課業學習和運動訓練間取得平衡。她堅持練習11年長笛，顯示對藝術和拓展視野的興趣。
梅妮撰寫的申請大學論文概括了自己的角色：優秀生、運動員、音樂家，真誠地表達多方面興趣，最重要的她是一個非常敬業的學生，升大學是首要任務。這些紀錄和努力給招生官員留下深刻印象。
梅妮如願進入競爭激烈的瓦薩學院。該校位於紐約州哈德遜山谷，是一所華麗的校園，擁有悠久歷史。瓦薩學院課程設置允許學生選修專業以外課程。喜愛運動的她又加入瓦薩學院賽艇隊（Vassar College Rowing），大學四年每天早晨在哈德遜河（Hudson River）上練習。學校靠近紐約市，周末她和同學們乘火車去大都市休閒。
和大多數中產家庭一樣，面對瓦薩學院每年超過7萬元學雜費和食宿費，梅妮和養父母面臨沉重的財務壓力。於是全家人動起來，通過深入研究和尋找資源，瞭解如何根據每個家庭的經濟狀況調整學費，學校根據學生的學術成績或財務需求，提供獎學金或降低學費。瓦薩學院擁有大量的社會贈與金，這意味學校會根據學生經歷、成績、論文等錄取學生，並根據需要提供財務資助。梅妮指出，學生和家庭需要了解大學提供的資源和機會，可以不考慮學費價碼選擇大學。
梅妮說，瓦薩學院學生來自不同背景，打造開放式校園文化，引領學生討論校園和世界時事。學校擁有活躍的校友網絡和人脈，可與國內和國際上大多數主要城市的校友聯繫。畢業後梅妮曾在不同城市居住和工作，常遇到校友。
梅妮在暑假期間四處旅行和工作，增廣見聞。2015年暑期來到洛杉磯，加入亞美政聯（CAUSE）暑期領導才能訓練營，在加州眾議員周本立（Ed Chau）辦公室實習，立志公共服務和社區改造。梅妮說，這段經歷影響到她的職業和個性，迄今她仍然與當年的導師和營友們保持聯繫。
她從大三開始，通過校友網路與師長關係，打電話發電郵與很多感興趣的公司、機構、組織建立聯繫，將姓名和簡歷送到潛在雇主手中，獲得應徵多個工作的機會。
畢業後她做過全職和兼職工作，花了兩年半時間，才找到真正喜歡的職業。她現任紐約市平民投訴審查委員會調查員，代表平民投訴人調查涉嫌不當行為的紐約警察的案件。
梅妮（Lianne May）加入瓦薩學院劃艇隊在哈德遜河上參加晨訓。（校友梅妮提供）
Join the Visionaries Awards with NBC4 Reporter Lolita Lopez
Join Southern California Leadership Network (SCLN) for its 2019 Visionaries Awards on Wednesday, November 20 in Hollywood. This year's theme is "Moving Southern California Forward," celebrating outstanding leaders for their roles in advancing the region, state and nation.
NBC4 Investigative Reporter Lolita Lopez will moderate the panel conversation with the following honorees:
• Southern California Leaders of the Year: Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO, AltaMed, and Zoila Escobar, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, AltaMed, and President, AltaMed Foundation
• Global Leader of the Year: Kevin Cottrell, The Guido Goldman Director, Leadership Programs, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Alum of the Year: Kim Yamasaki, Executive Director, Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE)
Southern California Leadership Network equips individuals with the skills to be thoughtful, engaged and knowledgeable community leaders. The organization offers three signature civic leadership fellowships designed for working professionals: Leadership L.A., Leadership Southern California and Riordan Leadership Institute.
With more than 300 dignitaries, community leaders and special guests in attendance, the event brings together alumni and supporters of all SCLN leadership programs. To learn more and how to attend, visit https://leadershipnetwork.org/visionaries-awards.
California Community Foundation Grants $7 Million to 50 Groups in First Wave of Regional Funding
LOS ANGELES – September 6, 2019 – In preparation of the landmark Get out the Count census effort in Los Angeles County, the California Community Foundation (CCF) awarded $7 million in grants to local nonprofits for education and outreach efforts across the region.
Earlier this year, CCF was named the region’s Administrative Community Based Organization (ACBO) by the State of California. This designates CCF as responsible for leading and coordinating education and outreach in Los Angeles County – which is ranked the hardest to count region in the nation. In addition to resources from the state for this role, philanthropic leaders have stepped in to contribute to a pooled fund supporting community-based outreach efforts for the 2020 Census. Key funding partners of the pooled fund include the Weingart Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, Ballmer Group, the California Endowment, Smidt Foundation, Mindy and Gene Stein, Libra Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.
Grantees will receive funding ranging from grants of $35,000 to $500,000 to support community education, digital media outreach, direct outreach, coalition building, assistance centers and technical assistance.
“Census data drives federal funding in Los Angeles County for services and programs that are critical to the health and well-being of our communities, particularly our most vulnerable populations. Accurate data also impacts our political representation in Congress,” said Antonia Hernández, president and CEO of the California Community Foundation. “There is simply too much to gain – too much at stake – to not do all we can to ensure everyone is counted.”
Nearly half of L.A. County residents meet the hard-to-count criteria, including racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, mixed-status families, young children and the homeless. For the first time, the census will be principally administered online, creating major concerns around privacy and digital literacy. Controversy around the citizenship question, though no longer on the census questionnaire, leaves many immigrant communities suspicious of how their information will be used. Compounding these issues is anticipation that bad actors will emerge to suppress participation.
The cohort of community groups awarded reflect the county’s incredible diversity and breadth of engagement required to Get Out the Count. Their work, understanding and credibility among diverse populations will be crucial to count all of Los Angeles.
CCF will continue to work with community and government partners to ensure that no Angeleno goes uncounted. A second request for proposals will open on September 9th, which will fund additional community-based outreach and education activities across the region.
CONTACT
Roshin Mathew
rmathew [@] calfund [.] org
(213) 452-6229
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See below for full list of grantees.
We Count L.A Grantees:
A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL)
Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON)
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice
Community Partners fbo California Native Vote Project
Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norte America
Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA)
Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates of Southern California
NALEO Educational Fund
Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles
Pomona Economic Opportunity Center
Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund (SALEF)
Social Justice Learning Institute
Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative
Families In Schools
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles
Black Women for Wellness
Central City Neighborhood Partners
Centro CHA Inc.
Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC)
Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition
Los Angeles Black Worker Center (LABWC)
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California
Proyecto Pastoral
South Asian Network (SAN)
Special Service for Groups, Inc. / API Forward Movement
Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE)
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
International Rescue Committee
Filipino Migrant Center
Long Beach Forward, A project of Community Partners
Asian Youth Center
Building Skills Partnership
Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE)
Equality California Institute
Pukuu Cultural Community Services
InnerCity Struggle
California Black Women’s Health Project
AltaMed Health Services Corp
Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH)
Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization (ICO)
Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Children’s Institute, Inc.
Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE)
LA Voice
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Community Development Technologies Center (CDTech)
ACCE LA
Human Services Association
California Calls
LA Partnership
亞美政聯學院 15亞裔生畢業 (World Journal)
亞美政聯領導學院畢業典禮，學生做「公民參與項目」簡報。（記者陳開／攝影）
亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，該項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。（記者陳開／攝影）
亞美政聯領導學院（CAUSE）16日舉行畢業典禮（2019 Graduating），為15名學生頒發畢業證書。亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）表示，該政治實習項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。
15名學生分別在巴沙迪那與聖蓋博谷計畫生育組織（Planned parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel valley）、聯邦眾議員趙美心（Judy Chu）辦公室及州眾議員周本立（Ed Chau）辦公室等地實習，累積了從政實務經驗。
亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，瑞士網球名手費德勒（Roger Federer），少年時就展示出網球天分，但家人並沒有一開始就培養他打網球，而是讓他接觸棒球等其他球類運動。當費德勒對其他項目有了充分體驗後，再投入網球運動，經受多重經驗的加持，讓他的職業道路變得寬敞明亮。胡澤群指出，費德勒故事的說明，成功不是由單點構成，而是多點形成的面。亞美政聯旨在為學生提供更多的「點」，而這些經歷能讓學生們受益。
在「公民參與項目（Civic engagement project）」簡報環節，學生們分享了他們在聖蓋博谷地區推行節水計畫心得。Amanda Yuan表示，通過走訪阿罕布拉市60個商家，他們發現許多業者母語為中文，而學生團隊中，缺乏會講中文的學員。語言障礙是推行計畫不得不面對的難題之一。Amanda Yuan建議聖蓋博水區（San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District），以後可以考慮僱用更多會講中文的職員，並印製更多中文宣傳資料，在微信等華人常用社交媒體上開設主頁，可以更好宣傳節水相關資訊。
CAUSE to Host Graduation for 2019 Leadership Academy Interns
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Who:
Diana Lam
Senior at Wellesley College
2017 Leadership Academy Alumnus
Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE
Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE
Snehal Desai
Producing Artistic Director, East West Players
Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE
Audrey Soriano
Manager of Leadership Development, CAUSE
2019 CAUSE Leadership Academy Interns
Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley
Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chaua
Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa
Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group
Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts
Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company
Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks
Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu
Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players
Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect
Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen
Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)
Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano
Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE
What: The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.
Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
When: Friday, August 16, 2019
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: KPCC Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91105
Street parking and nearby lots are available at varying rates. Small plates and refreshments will be served.
Why: The CAUSE Leadership Academy Graduation celebrates this year’s class and their completion of the program. Join elected officials, community leaders, local press, and families to congratulate the leaders of tomorrow!
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews may be conducted before the program at the discretion of speakers and Leadership Academy interns. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.
Photo Opportunities:
Leadership Academy interns
Snehal Desai (Keynote Speaker)
Diana Lam (MC)
Dress code:
Business attire is appropriate.
About CAUSE
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 any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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亚美政联领袖培训班吸引15名亚裔实习生 (US China Press)
【侨报记者高睿6月21日洛杉矶报道】亚美政联21日在洛杉矶商会举办领袖培训班记者会，15名来自美国各地的亚裔实习生与媒体见面，其中包括前往国会众议员赵美心、加州财务长马世云、加州众议员周本立等办公室实习的华人学生。
参加领袖培训实习班的学生们一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄
亚美政联主席胡泽群在记者会上介绍说，亚美政联自26年前创办以来已经举办过十几次领袖培训班，把亚裔学生派往联邦和州、县、市民选官员办公室实习，其中包括联邦众议员赵美心、加州众议员周本立，以及加州财务长马世云等人的办公室，让学生们每天和这些民选官面对面地学习从政经验，经过两个多月的实习，提高这些学生参政议政的意识，学习社交、表达和组织能力，了解美国政府的运作模式，为他们毕业后走向社会打下坚实的基础。
即将前往马世云洛杉矶办公室实习的华裔学生林艳卿和胡泽群一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄
胡泽群指出，在中美两国关系十分紧张的今天，美国主流有些人把美国华人和中国人混为一谈，动不动就“你们中国人”如何如何。在此他要郑告那些带有偏见的政客，美国华人和美国人一样热爱这片自由的土地。“我们也是美国公民，拥护并遵守美国宪法，不要把美国华人统统视为间谍”，重蹈二战时期把日裔美国人关进集中营的覆辙，让《排华法案》阴魂不散。
越华裔主讲人裴塔米（Tami Bui）向实习生分享了3个“F”，分别是：1、Fail（失败），即失败是成功之母，不要怕失败，为了事业的成功你要敢于走出自己的“舒适区”；2、Friend（朋友），在家靠父母，出门靠朋友。你要学会交朋友，建立自己的朋友圈；3、Future（未来），心里要清楚自己未来想做什么，设定好目标后就要矢志不移地坚持下去，不能小猫钓鱼。
17岁高中生林艳卿自我介绍说，她于6年前跟随父母从广州移民美国，母亲在餐馆打工，父亲为餐馆做“幸运果”。现已高中毕业的她准备上大学选修政治科学专业，之所以热衷政治，是因为当年父母移民美国住在洛杉矶中国城时因为不会英语而遭到不平等对待。“我想通过从政，利用法律的武器来保护无数像爸爸妈妈这样的弱势群体，维护他们的合法权益，让华人不再受种族歧视，享有和白人同等的人权。”
实习生何淑敏说她于2009年从福建跟随父母移民美国，母亲是全职太太，在家中照顾她的弟弟妹妹，爸爸在中餐馆打工。她在费城上学的时候看到很多校园暴力事件，这让她萌生了做一名领导人或律师的想法，希望通过亚美政联的领袖培训班从赵美心、马世云、余淑婷等华人领袖身上学习一些参政议政的经验，将来争取成为一名华裔民选官或移民律师，利用手中的权力和法律武器来制止暴力事件，为维护美国华人的合法权益而努力。
父母来自北京，自己出生在美国的南加大学生王安琪被分配到IW集团实习，她希望学习一些从商的经验，在中美关系十分紧张的今天，她希望利用自己学得的经商知识另辟蹊径，打拼出商海泛舟的另一片天地。
CAUSE to Host Kickoff for 2019 Leadership Academy Interns
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Who:
Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE
Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE
Erika Ngo
Assembly Fellow, Office of California State Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer
2017 CAUSE Leadership Academy Alumnus
Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE
Tammy Bui
Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Cal State Fullerton
Board Member, CAUSE
Audrey Soriano
Manager of Leadership Development, CAUSE
2019 CAUSE Leadership Academy Interns
Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley
Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chaua
Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa
Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group
Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts
Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company
Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks
Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu
Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players
Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect
Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen
Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)
Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano
Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE
What: The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.
Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
When: Friday, June 21, 2019
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
350 S Bixel St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Parking is avaialble at 416 S. Boylston Street. It is a 2-minute walk to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Why: The CAUSE Leadership Academy Kickoff brings together elected officials, community leaders, and families to welcome the 2019 class of Leadership Academy interns!
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews may be conducted before the program at the discretion of speakers and Leadership Academy interns. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.
Photo Opportunities:
Leadership Academy interns
Tami Bui (Keynote Speaker)
Erika Ngo (MC)
Dress code:
Business attire is appropriate.
About CAUSE
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 any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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亞美政聯領導力培訓班 學員畢業讚實用 (World Journal)
山景學區教委吳孟臻（左三）等學員在亞美政聯領導力培訓班畢業典禮合影。（記者張越╱攝影）
亞美政聯（CAUSE）領導力培訓班（Leadership Institute）畢業典禮15日在巴沙迪那舉行。參加此次培訓班的25位學員以及贊助企業代表參加，亞美政聯執行長山崎（Kim Yamasaki）祝賀學員順利畢業，以及祝願他們在未來的道路中發揮亞裔的領導力量。
領導力培訓班是為期六個月的活動，學員們每月集中一次上課。洛杉磯台美菁英協會副會長丁永樂、山景學區（Mountain View School District）華裔教委吳孟臻也是本屆畢業生。他們表示，每月相聚都是一整天封閉式教學和討論，請來的老師都是在各個領域傑出的亞裔領袖，培訓讓他們受益匪淺。
吳孟臻表示，參加這樣的培訓，對她擔任學區教委提升了領導力，拓寛了視野和增強了人際關係，對於從政事業很有幫助；而且身為地產經紀，她也可以將所學知識用於自己的職業，實用性很強。
山崎祝賀每一位學員順利畢業，並且鼓勵他們在未來積極發揮自己所學到的領導才能，帶領亞裔民眾和主流社會交流融合，成為新生代的領導力量。
CAUSE to Host Graduation for 2019 Leadership Institute Fellows
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Who:
Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE
Claire Kitayama
Director, Operations and Business Intelligence, United Way of Los Angeles
2017 Political Institute* Alumnus (*Now Leadership Institute)
Renee Chang
Senior Vice President, Consumer Banking Regional Manager,East West Bank
Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE
CAUSE Leadership Institute
Augustine Han
Field Representative, California State Senator Janet Nguyen
Bianca Nepales
Director, Impact in Schools, Teach for America
Carmen Chang
Former Field Director, CA-25, California Democratic Party
Carmille Lim
Consultant: Global Programs & Operations
Muppies: Muslim Urban Professionals
Carolyn Chu
Programs Associate, Equality California
Christopher Teng Balmaseda
Vice President, Taiwanese American Professionals-Los Angeles Chapter (TAP-LA)
Co-Founder & CFO, Arclyte Technologies, Inc.
Cindy Wu
School Board Member, Mountain View School District
Clint Weirick
Principal Consultant, Clint Weirick Consulting
Denise Luu
Communications Specialist, Public Affairs, Southern California Edison
Derek Oye
Chair, Board of Directors, Taiko Community Alliance
Eileen Ung
Public Finance Analyst, Los Angeles Chapter President, MUFG
Eunice Kang
Office Manager, Young Kim for Congress
Hoang Nguyen
AAPI Liaison, Field Deputy, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
Jasmeet Bains
Commissioner, California Healthcare Policy Commission
Jason Galisatus
Community Relations Associate, Stanford University Office of Government & Community Relations
Jeffrey Lee
Senior Analyst / Planning Commissioner (Vice Chair), Southern California Edison
Jingjing Cheng
Senior Director, Colliers International
JunHee Doh
Policy & Research Analyst, Advancement Project California
Kenneth Ahn
Caseworker, Office of Congressmember Karen Bass
Kyle Lee
Community Coordinator, Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles
Meredith Maimoni
Community Relations Manager, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Stephanie Cherng
Project Manager ll, SoCalGas
Steven Chow
Vice President, OCA-GLA
Taylor Quan
Staff Assistant, Office of Senator Ling Ling Chang
Xeres Villanueva
Project Director, WE Empowerment Center
What: The CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI), is a six-month fellowship program for high-potential working professionals that develops leaders to effectively advocate for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
Through CLI, fellows are empowered with the knowledge, access, and network to embark on their own civic leadership paths. Fellows emerge from the program prepared to support advocate and serve as leaders of the APA community. Every CLI session addresses each aspect of the curriculum to ensure continuous exposure to the qualities that make a CAUSE leader.
CLI Fellows graduate the program with dedication to lead change in their industry and build cross-sector connections for positive change. They will have new perspectives, respect for the complicated nature of our civic landscape, and renewed vigor to lead that change themselves.
When: Saturday, June 15, 2019
6:00-8:00PM
Where: Pasadena Conservatory of Music, PCM Auditorium
100 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106
On-site parking is available.
Why: The CAUSE Leadership Institute Graduation celebrates the 2019 Leadership Institute fellows' accomplishments and completion of the program. Join us in recognizing and celebrating this year's cohort!
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews may be conducted at the discretion of attending Leadership Institute fellows. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.
Photo Opportunities:
Graduating Leadership Institute fellows
Jasmeet Bains (Keynote Speaker)
Claire Kitayama (MC)
Dress code:
Business attire is appropriate.
About CAUSE
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 any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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LAUSD Commits Itself to Improving Diversity and Classroom Experience for Asian American Students (Balitang America)
LOS ANGELES — As the country’s second-largest school district looks to service its multicultural classrooms, district officials took steps towards finding out how they can improve the classroom experience, and their focus is on Asian-American students.
LAUSD closed out Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the “Everyone Counts” resolution.
The resolution, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will use data to identify specific issues among Asian American students in the nations second largest school district.
“We are committed to your success, this district has changed the way we identify our racial-ethnic identifications, how to disaggregate data, how to stay in conversations with the community, and above all how to reach out to every family so they know too yes, they too count,” says Monica Garcia, LAUSD Board President.
Eventually, the initiative will hope to lead to programs for specific communities in certain areas as needed.
Filipinos are one of the only Asian groups to have disaggregated data, makeup 2 percent of the student population, while Asians make up 4 percent of the 700-thousand strong LAUSD student body.
Breaking down this data will help these minority students improve by getting better services.
“The uniting message behind these stories is that not all our Asian students are thriving, and without disaggregated data LA Unified has no way in the means of quantifying its 85,000 or 18% AANHPI AMEMSA students,” said Andrew Murphy Office of LAUSD President.
The resolution will include Asian Pacific American, South Asian, and middle eastern students and employees, which Filipino community leaders welcome.
“This is going to be steps to get classes such as language classes ethnic studies and also mental health services for our Filipino community.”
Despite the unanimous passage, school board members did express a few concerns, and have asked that other ethnic groups including Hispanics should be also have their data broken down.
“I think it’ll be very helpful for us to know the progress and learning pluses and minuses per country.”
For the next 4 months, the district will develop a plan on how to accomplish its goal of making sure everyone counts.
CAUSE 26th Annual Gala (Balitang America)
亞美政聯年會 擬募款20萬元 (World Journal)
亞美政聯26屆年會上，受邀嘉賓及部分理事會成員合影。（記者啟鉻／攝影）
亞美政聯（CAUSE )第26屆年會18日晚舉行，今年年會主題為：我們定調未來（The Future We Define )。聯邦眾議員趙美心、加州眾議員周本立、加州主計長余淑婷（Betty Yee）等與會致辭。亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，只有強化亞裔人群在美國社會的領導力，才能決定亞裔的未來，這也正是今年年會主題。年會參與者逾400人，包括民選官員、商界領袖、律師、社區活躍人士等。
胡澤群表示，本次活動既是年會也是募款會，預計募款額超過20萬元。他說，「我們的未來與亞裔群體在美國拓展領導能力緊密相關，單純的政治領導力無法獨立承擔，應該有各個其他團體，包括非營利團體、民權團體、經濟組織等互相協助才能完成。如此為亞裔社區提供動能，推動社區整體進步，並融入主流社會，以便亞裔美國人在主流社會發揮作用，從而提升整個亞裔群體在美國社會的地位。」過去多年，亞美政聯致力在提升領導力，也是亞美政聯迅速擴大原因。
周本立表示，亞美政聯成立20餘年，每年都贊助優秀亞裔家庭子弟，加入培訓領導能力實習項目，目的從亞裔年輕人開始，發展領導力，未來這些子弟有的會成為市議員、眾議員，有的甚至可能會競選總統，有的也會成為商業領袖。同時每年亞美政聯還會舉辦各種主題論壇、講座，邀請各界人士討論亞裔民眾在美生活現狀，面臨問題及解決辦法、如何維權。
亞太社區基金會執行長黃群雁多年參與亞美政聯活動，她認為亞裔在美國主流社會強調參政非常重要，要關心社區，成為社區領袖，幫助亞裔社區爭取更多權益，並能夠積極發聲維權。而且在人口普查時，也要積極參與，因為這樣能夠讓亞裔社區的需要讓政府了解，不能被忽視，還要進一步為亞裔社區爭取更多資源。當天活動頒發社區合作夥伴獎和Norman Y. Mineta Legacy Award給三位傑出女性。
Asian American Leaders, Community Advocates Launch CAUSE Leadership Network (Balitang America)
LOS ANGELES — A diverse groups of Asian Americans have kicked off their latest installment of the Center for Asian Americans United for Empowerment, or CAUSE, program.
It’s a 26-year-old collective of Asian Americans finding ways to empower the fastest growing demographic in the US.
Over the years, CAUSE has helped push for civic engagement, while grooming future Asian American leaders.
Last year it held a gubernatorial debate.
Now in its second year, the CAUSE Leadership Network is made up of some 60 mostly Asian American members, representing different sectors from government to corporate, nonprofit, the legal community and media.
“The CAUSE Leadership Network was founded with the intention to increase representation at the executive leadership level, to foster cross-sector collaboration, to address community issues, to change the civic landscape in Southern California, to reflect the AAPI community, and lastly to support a network of members with personal and career development,” said director John Tang.
The members of the CLN met atop Los Angeles City Hall, where they got to hear from the leaders and keynote speaker Bill Wong Political Director for California’s State Assembly Democrats.
“So of the 60 plus members of the CAUSE Leadership Network, I am very surprised delighted and honored to be one of the newest members, so I look forward to seeing what we can do as BA in terms of helping empower the Asian American community. I also looking forward to hearing from the other Asian American community members, meeting with other people from different sectors different industries.”
Data from CAUSE shows in the US, about one out every 17 people is Asian American; however, the country’s most influential positions in both the private and public center lack the Asian American perspective.
“Despite our AAPI community being 6% of the country’s population we are nowhere near 6% of the leadership positions that are out there and in a region as diverse as Southern California, we are definitely more than 6% of the population, yet we are only 4% of the Fortune 500 board seats and 5% of foundation board seats and there aren’t even numbers tracking aapi leadership representation in other sectors,” said Jade Leung.
As CAUSE launches events, and workshops and looks to tackle non-partisan issues to benefit the Asian American community, the 26th annual CAUSE gala will take place next month in downtown Los Angeles, and looks to honor the high ranking Asian Kim Delevett of Southwest Airlines and Dr. Leana Wen Planned Parenthood Foundation of America.