In this NCVA Reporter:

Events

Funding Opportunities

Tips

Jobs/Internships

News

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Events

DC APA Film Festival - October 9 – 18, 2003

(http://www.apafilm.org/schedule.htm)

Film Program

Sunday, October 12, 2:00 p.m.

Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art

Vietnam: Bellum/Postbellum

Three short films and documentaries capture the Vietnamese and Vietnamese American experience through the lens of the Vietnam War.

-"El Paso, Vietnam" (10 mins, 16mm) a short experimental documentary that traces the relationship a Vietnamese language instructor who travels from Vietnam to Texas and an American serviceman (and her future husband) who is sent to Saigon after they are married.

-"Saigon, USA" (57 mins, BetaSP) is a documentary portrait about the heart of the Vietnamese American community: Southern California's "Little Saigon."

-"The Anniversary" (28 mins, 35 mm) is an emotional drama that paints a tender portrait of two Vietnamese brothers and the cruel fate that separates and ultimately unites them.

Panel Discussion

Sunday, October 12, 2003, 3:45-5:00 p.m.

Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery - Meyer Auditorium

Nearly three decades after the war in Vietnam ended for America, the events continue to evoke controversy and pain in both countries. How does America—and Vietnam—continue to grapple with the war and its aftermath? And how has the blossoming of the Vietnamese American community affected how the two nations see each other?

Panelists:

-(confirmed) Hung Bui, Member, Board of Directors for Vietnamese American Society, and Asian American LEAD, Washington

-(invited) Duc Hong Duong, Chairman, National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies, Silver Spring, MD

-(invited) Professor Hung Manh Nguyen, Director of Indochina Program, George Mason University, Fairfax

-(invited) Dr. Nguyen Van Hanh, Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Health and Human Services, Washington

-(invited, potential confirm) Jan Scruggs, Founder, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and author, “Why Vietnam Still Matters, The War and The Wall,” Washington

-(invited) Office of Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien, Vietnamese Ambassador to the U.S., Washington

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Fairfax County Candidates Night

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Venue: J.E.B. Stuart High School Main Auditorium

3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church, VA 22044

Sponsored by the Mason District Council of Civic Associations.

Cosponsored by a coalition of community organizations and businesses, including the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans.

Moderated by the League of Women Voters.

Candidates (In order of appearance)

Virginia State Senators

Virginia State Delegates

Fairfax County Sheriff

Mason District School Board Member

At-Large School Board Members

Mason District Supervisor

Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Hands-on Demonstration of New Voting Machines in the Lobby.

Contact Information

MDCCA Candidates Night Organizing Committee (Michael Kwon, Chair)

Email: MasonVotes@aol.com

Phone: 703-731-1950

Fax: 1-413-778-6647

Web: www.fairfaxfederation.org 

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Santa Clara County Grand Jury Hearing in Shooting Case of Bich-Cau Thi Tran Begins – October 21, 2003

The Grand Jury which will begin to hear the Bich-Cau Thi Tran case on October 21.  The case will be heard in Court Room 31 located at 190 W. Hedding Street, San Jose.

In the adjacent Court Room, a television and a Vietnamese Interpreter will translate the proceedings.  There will be no sound in the adjacent courtroom only the Vietnamese translator.  A coalition of community organizations is looking into obtaining translation equipment that would allow limited English speakers to also sit in the main courtroom.

For additional information, contact Richard Konda of Asian Law Alliance (408) 287-9710.

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Asian Law Alliance Invites You to a Discussion on....

"Race and Police Use of Deadly Force" 

Sponsored by Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe

Thursday, October 16, 2003 At 6 p.m.
Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe (Map)
275 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park CA 94025

Speakers (6:45 p.m.)

1) Cynthia Lee, a law professor at George Washington, will be discussing a chapter from her recently published book, "Murder and the Reasonable Man."  Professor Lee writes about how racial stereotypes can influence a police officer's decision to use deadly force.

--On April 29, 1997, Kuan Chung Kao was shot by police in Rohnert Park when he brandished a stick at police.  The officer who fatally shot Kao might have shot Kao because he assumed Kao was a martial arts expert.

--On July 13, 2003, Cau Bich Tran was fatally shot by a San Jose police officer.  The officer who shot her thought the Vietnamese vegetable peeler she was holding was a cleaver. 

2) Felicita Ngo is the attorney for Cau Bich Tran's family.  Ms. Ngo will talk about the difficulties the family has faced in the aftermath of the shooting and the legal challenges ahead.

Tickets: $10 per person with pre-registration, $15 at the door.
To pre-register, please download the attached PDF file or complete the registration form below and return it with your check to:

Asian Law Alliance
184 E. Jackson Street
San Jose, CA 95112.
Or you may fax the registration form to (408) 287-0864 or email ALA at alaevents@pacbell.net and send a check in later.

Please pre-register and send in checks by October 10th. 

Refreshments will be provided.
-----------------------------------

Asian Law Alliance
"Working for Justice, Dignity, and Equality"
184 E. Jackson Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Tel: (408) 287-9710
Fax: (408) 287-0864

REGISTRATION FORM

Name(s):

Organization:

Address:

Telephone:

Number of Tickets:

Total Amount Enclosed:

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Funding Opportunities

Action Oriented Community Projects

Avery Dennison Corporate Contributions Program

(http://www.averydennison.com/corporate.nsf/PG/L3B1C9)

Avery Dennison contributes to cultural, educational, civic, and social welfare organizations and programs to enhance the communities in which its employees work and live. This program supports projects that: address specific community challenges and needs; are action oriented and develop opportunities for enrichment of life; and are self supporting or have broad-based community support. There is no deadline for applications. Visit the website listed above for more information.

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Social Commitment for Eaton Communities

Eaton Charitable Fund

(http://web.eaton.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=EatonCom%2FPage%2FEC_T_ArticleFull&c=Page&cid=1007421140590)

The Eaton Charitable Fund supports programs that improve the quality of life in communities where the company operates. The fund gives primary consideration to requests for programs or projects that are located in an Eaton community, are recommended by an Eaton manager, and have Eaton employee involvement. Programs selected for funding will have clearly defined objectives, measurable end results and address Eaton's priorities of education, promoting self-sufficiency, and sustaining arts and cultural institutions. Program, project and capital grants are awarded in the range of $500 to $100,000. There are no application deadlines. Contributions guidelines are available on the above website.

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Expanding Access to Education Beyond High School

Lumina Foundation for Education

(http://www.luminafoundation.org/)

Lumina Foundation for Education helps individuals to achieve their potential by expanding access to an education beyond high school. Through research, innovative programs, and communications initiatives, the Foundation addresses issues surrounding financial access, educational attainment and opportunities for nontraditional learners. As an Indiana-based foundation, Lumina sets aside a portion of its grant budget each year to fund projects that are specific to its home state. The first step towards funding is to submit a preliminary letter of inquiry. Grants range from $2,500 to $100,000.

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Technical Assistance for Local Crime Reduction

Community Policing Consortium

(http://www.communitypolicing.org/training/)

The Community Policing Consortium is a partnership of five of the nation's leading law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs' Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the Police Foundation. The partnership is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The Consortium's primary mission is to advance community policing strategies that allow citizens and a wide range of community stakeholders to work as full and equal partners with law enforcement and other public and private organizations in the effort to enhance quality of life. Through offering a spectrum of technical assistance and information resources to law enforcement and citizens, the Community Policing Consortium assists communities nationwide to reduce crime. To submit an online request for technical assistance, visit the website listed above.

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Liberty Bank Supports Programs For Domestic Violence, At-Risk Youth

(http://www.liberty-bank.com/Foundation/Guidelines/)

Nonprofits that provide programs for at-risk youth or to combat domestic violence in Connecticut communities can apply for funding through the Liberty Bank Foundation, the Foundation & Corporate Funding Advantage reported in its October issue.

Programs designed for at-risk youth are funded through the foundation's education category. Grants for domestic violence efforts are awarded through the health and human services category.

The Liberty Bank Foundation also awards grants in the categories of housing, community and economic development, and the arts.

Deadlines for grant applications are Dec. 31, March 31, June 30 or Sept. 30 for review in March, June, September or December, respectively.

For information, contact the Liberty Bank Foundation, PO Box 1212, Middletown, CT 06457; 860-704-2181.

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Community Support from CIT

The CIT Corporate Giving Program

(http://www.cit.com/about_us/corp_giving.html)

The CIT Corporate Giving Program supports nonprofit organizations in communities where the company employees live and work. The company primarily provides funding for education; health, social welfare and community issues; neighborhood stabilization and improvement; and the arts. There is no deadline for applications. For more information, go to the website above.

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"Read for Life" Scholarship Program

IndiVisual Learning/Hewlett-Packard

(http://www.indivisuallearning.com/scholarship.html)

The IndiVisual/Hewlett-Packard "Read for Life" Scholarship Program provides computer workstations and software to K-12 schools in the U.S. valued at $25,000. Public, private, charter, parochial schools, and faith and community based programs throughout the country that demonstrate financial need, or a high ESL, ELL, or LEP population, and a staff dedicated in promoting technology-based education solutions are eligible. Recipients receive in-class computer-based reading workstations that include five Hewlett-Packard PCs, complete with three years unlimited student-use of IndiVisual Reading. Schools may apply online at the website above.

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Funds for Creative Projects

The McKenzie Foundation

(http://www.mckenziefoundation.us/index.php)

The McKenzie Foundation has selected four initiatives that will shape its grantmaking for the next few years. These are early childhood development, education, the environment, and arts and culture. The Foundation believes that assisting families is one of the most effective and lasting ways to strengthen communities and therefore supports opportunities and experiences that enrich learning for all ages. There is no deadline for applications and grants range from $600 to $60,000. Letters of inquiry may be submitted online. Go to the website above for more information.

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Helping to Achieve a Healthy Planet

Merck Family Fund

(http://www.merckff.org/programs.html) – check out the Youth Program

The first goal of the Merck Family Fund is to restore and protect the natural environment and ensure a healthy planet for generations to come. The second goal is to strengthen the social fabric and the physical landscape of the urban community. Environmental grants are limited to the eastern United States and urban community grants are focused in New York, Boston and Providence, RI. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Visit the website above for more information.

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Tips

The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Conducting Community Forums: Engaging Citizens, Mobilizing Communities

Community forums are powerful tools for educating the public, building consensus, focusing action, and influencing policy. They can be an effective mechanism for public debate on issues. Forums can ensure that the community's voice is included in decision making and increase awareness and understanding of key issues facing communities. They can generate hope and confidence in communities that are short on both, and they can help build social capital -- strong relationships and connections among people.

This book is intended to help community groups -- whether citizens, nonprofits, government, or business -- achieve their community building goals and make good use of their scarce resources. It is organized into five sections:

Authors: Carol A. Lukas & Linda Hoskins

Available in bookstores.

Publication date: May 2003

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A Checklist of Thinking Tools

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

(http://www.wilder.org/pubs/cutbacks/cutbacks_strategies.html)

This recently published strategies checklist is designed to help you think creatively about your organization, its culture, its mission, its future, its response to immediate financial crises, and its long-term preparation for the changing culture. Categories for the checklist include: Cut or Control Costs; Increase Revenues; Structural Strategies; and Engagement Strategies. Check out the "Checklist" and do whatever helps you spur new ideas that fit your specific situation. For the complete list, visit the above website.

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Jobs/Internships

FAA Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Internship Program

(http://www1.faa.gov/ahr/msi/index.htm)

THIS IS A PAID INTERNSHIP!

The MSI Intern Program is an effective equal opportunity program for motivating minority students and students with disabilities to explore career opportunities at the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA's AAPI Internship Program will:

* Offer AAPI college students with hands-on and challenging aviation experiences that would stimulate interest in aviation related fields in alignment with the FAA's mission;

* Build a national program bridge from existing K-12 Aviation Education Program to FAA Internship Program;

* Develop a pool of potential future employees who have had positive and meaningful experience with the FAA;

* Extend and strengthen FAA's commitment to educational excellence; and

* Increase the Nation's skill base of undergraduate and graduate students of computer science, engineering, technology, and other disciplines to meet the needs for a safe and efficient aviation system.

Deadlines for Spring, Summer and Fall semester internships throughout the United States:

Spring is October 15

Summer is March 1

Fall is July 1

Candidates with GPA 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, can send their resumes directly to Mrs. Mai Nguyen (mai.nguyen@faa.gov). If you have ANY questions, contact Mrs. Mai Nguyen.

Remember to attach an unofficial transcript by e-mail and state your Citizenship.

Mrs. Mai Nguyen

Program Manager

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI)

Native American/Alaska Native (NAAN)

Phone: 202-267-7666

Fax: 202-267-9508

Mai.nguyen@faa.gov

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Gates Millennium Scholars

Asian Pacific Islander Americans

PRESS RELEASE (REVISED)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For nomination materials and/or further information, contact:

Catherine Domaoan, Director of Outreach

866-274-4677 x2 (toll-free), gmspinfo@ocanatl.org

GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP (GMS) - APPLY ONLINE

Washington, DC - The Gates Millennium Scholars program is pleased to announce the launching of its website for the 2004 - 2005 GMS awards.  Apply online or download nomination materials from www.gmsp.org.  General information, detailed instructions, and current scholar profiles can also be found on the website.  Principals, teachers, guidance counselors, tribal higher education representatives, and other professional educators are invited to nominate students with outstanding academic records, strong leadership potential, and commitment to community service.  Nominators and recommenders must act in their personal capacity.  Institutional nominations will not be accepted.  All completed nomination materials must be postmarked or submitted online no later than January 16, 2004.

The Gates Millennium Scholars program was established in 1999 through a grant provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide Asian Pacific Islander Americans, African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and Hispanic Americans with an opportunity to complete a college education.  The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for thousands of outstanding students with significant financial need, particularly those intending to study mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science, to reach their fullest potential.  Additionally, GMS provides opportunities for Scholars to prepare for leadership roles in their profession and communities through a leadership development program.  GMS selected 1,000 high-achieving students for the 2003-2004 academic year, bringing the total number of students awarded GMS scholarships to more than 7,000 since the program's inception.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), with the support of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS), and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), administers the Gates Millennium Scholars program.

Eligibility Criteria

In the 2004-2005 academic year, individuals are eligible to be considered for a Gates Millennium Scholarship if they:

* are Asian Pacific Islander American, African American, Hispanic American or American Indian/Alaska Native;

* are a citizen, legal permanent resident or national of the United States;

* have a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale;

* will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as full-time, degree-seeking freshmen in the academic year 2004-2005;

* have demonstrated leadership commitment through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities that reflect leadership abilities; and

* meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.  Eligibility for Federal Pell Grant can only be determined though the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Programs.

APIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Advocate Initiatives for Grassroots Access

Asian and Pacific Americans in Higher Education

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Committee on Education Japanese American Citizens League Korean American Coalition Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. National Association for the Education & Advancement of Cambodian, Laotian & Vietnamese Americans National Federation of Filipino American Associations National Korean American Service & Education Consortium Native Hawaiian Community Based Education Learning Centers Network of South Asian Professionals - DC Foundation Organization of Chinese American Women Pacific American Education and Scholastic Foundation Pacific American Executive Council Pacific American Foundation Southeast Asia Resource Action Center

Organization of Chinese Americans

1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 601, Washington, D.C. 2003   Tel (202) 530-8894   Fax (202) 530-0643

Internet: http://www.ocanatl.org/      Email: gmsp@ocanatl.org

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News

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) hosts the first Asian Businesses Forum

On Thursday, August 21, 2003, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) hosted the first Asian Businesses Forum at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Prominent Asian business leaders from all over America attended the event to meet with National Director Mr. Ronald N. Langston. It was an opportunity to hear the National Director of MBDA outline his vision and plans for minority business development in the global economy and to discuss some of the issues specifically facing the Asian business community.

The event began with a luncheon attended by Mr. Langston, his two Asian American senior advisors, Associate Director Chiling Tong and Senior Advisor Mary Choi, and twenty-eight Asian business leaders representing finance, investment, communications, transportation, economic and community development, civil rights, business, and the manufacturing industry. At the forum were Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Pakistani and Indian American business leaders.

The discussions touched on programs to assist minority-owned businesses and increase their access to capital, to identify new market opportunities, and to improve business operations.  Mr. Langston talked about the Bush Administration’s economic agenda, manufacturing agenda and listened to the concerns of Asian-American entrepreneurs. The effect of economic changes on small and medium-sized businesses was also examined.

Dr. John Tsu, Chairman of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, briefly outlined the purpose of the Commission which is to develop, monitor and coordinate federal efforts to engender Asian participation in government programs and to increase involvement by the public and private sectors as well as the community. Dr. Tsu, on behalf of the Asian community, thanked Mr. Langston for hosting the first Asian Businesses Forum regarding economic businesses.

Ms. Susan Au Allen, National President of the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, spoke about how MBDA helps organizations like USPAACC aid other businesses to bridge cultural gaps. USPAACC also provides outreach to other Asian-American organizations all over the United States.

Dr. Paul Hsu, President and CEO of Manufacturing Technology Incorporation, stated that Mr. Langston’s leadership helped to encourage minority business development. Dr. Hsu said that "A few years ago, at one of the MBDA business conferences, Mr. Langston asked us to reach out and help other minority businesses.  He emphasized how important it is to reach out and share some know-how so others don't have to reinvent the wheel. That statement triggered me to start MTI's very own mentor-protégé program. We selected an African-American-owned small business called General Precision Manufacturing (GPM) as our protégé, and we provided technical, managerial, and financial assistance. Today GPM has grown from a $200K business to a $1.8M business."

Dr. Hsu’s leadership in the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program and as a member of the Boeing Supplier Advisory Council has expanded opportunities for many small minority businesses. Recently, Myra Williams, an African-American woman, received the 2003 Department of Defense Nunn Perry Award as president and CEO of General Precision Manufacturing. This Pensacola-based firm is the Department of Defense protégé of Manufacturing Technology Inc. The companies are the first Florida-headquartered mentor- protégé partnership to win the prestigious Nunn-Perry Award, which recognizes outstanding partnerships between major defense department contractors and small and disadvantaged businesses. MTI is the first company in the nation to win the award as both protégé (in 2000) and mentor. 

Mr. Langston outlined the theme of the National MED Week 2003 Conference held September 28-October 1, 2003 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. The purpose of MED Week is to recognize the outstanding achievements of minority business enterprises (MBEs) and to honor those corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development. Sessions will discuss the reasons why MBEs should look beyond U.S, borders for international business and financing opportunities while others provide a basic overview of the political, economic and social factors affecting global commercial opportunities.

The Asian Businesses Forum provided an outlet for Asian businesses to voice their concerns and get feedback from MBDA. All of the business leaders appreciated the attention paid to them and their concerns by the Bush administration. The average size of Asian and Pacific Islander-owned businesses is substantially smaller than non-minority firms. Despite being the smallest percent of total U.S. population, their percent of total U.S. gross receipts is higher than all the other minority groups. With increased communication and cooperation between MBDA and the Asian business community, it is hoped that parity between Asian businesses and non-minority firms can be reached.

Mr. Langston praised the success of Asian American entrepreneurs. For example, the Lee brothers, Chieu and Henry, fled with their family from Vietnam as “boat people” in 1979. While studying ESL, Chieu became a helper on a catering truck. Shortly thereafter, Chieu, Henry, and their family bought their first catering truck and Lee Brothers Foodservices, Inc. was established in 1981.

Through hard work, long hours, and determination, Chieu and Henry realized their American Dream watching the company grow from one catering truck to ten, then 20, then 30 and eventually to service nearly 500 independently owned and operated catering trucks. They are now the largest industrial catering facility in northern California.

www.mbda.gov

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House Passes Tax Incentives for Charitable Givers

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a measure (HR 7) that would encourage charitable giving by providing more tax incentives to individuals and businesses, the Associated Press reported Sept. 17.

Under the bill, taxpayers who do not itemize on their tax returns can still deduct up to $250 in charitable contributions over the next two years.

"They want to give, but they also want to have money to pay the bills," said Congressman Harold Ford (D-TN). "This bill is one way we can empower people to give more to charity, for it empowers those whose compassion runs deep, especially those who do not have deep pockets."

The measure is expected to generate between $45 billion and $50 billion in additional charitable donations over the next decade. The cost to the government is estimated at $12.7 billion.

The bill also would bar charitable foundations from including certain administrative expenses from the federal requirement to spend at least 5 percent of their assets on grantmaking each year. Under the measure, salaries over $100,000 and first-class airfare would be excluded from the payout calculation.

The U.S. Senate passed its version of the bill in April. The Senate version reduced the government's cost of the bill by balancing the tax incentives with a ban on non-related business transactions used by corporations to reduce their taxes.

House and Senate lawmakers plan to work on a compromise bill to send to President Bush later this year.

(http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Charities-Taxes.html)

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Guidebook Outlines Successful Mentoring Programs

Press Release
National Mentoring Center
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 S.W. Main Street, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 1-800-547-6339 x-135
www.nwrel.org/mentoring

The National Mentoring Center is pleased to announce the release of Foundations of Successful Youth Mentoring: A Guidebook for Program Development. Intended for both new and established programs, the guidebook outlines the program components that mentoring programs of all shapes and sizes should have in place to build strong mentoring relationships and ensure program sustainability.

Drawing from results of the national evaluation of Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) grantees, a comprehensive review of youth mentoring research and literature, and the NMC's own experience as a technical assistance provider, the Foundations guide identifies 31 separate program elements across five broad categories of program design:

Research and observation has shown that programs that do not have this foundation for service delivery and program growth in place are at a greater risk for program failure and are less likely to meet program goals.

The guidebook provides users with a discussion of each program component, self-assessment questions to help them think through each aspect of program design and implementation, and recommended resources that can assist in the planning and growth of the program. It is designed to cover all the key elements of running a program, while also being flexible enough for use across a wide variety of program models (community-based, school-based, faith-based, etc...).

Free Downloadable Version

You can download a copy of the Foundations guidebook free in PDF format. Simply click the link below to begin downloading the 789K file. Download: Foundations of Successful Youth Mentoring www.nwrel.org/mentoring/pdf/foundations.pdf

Print Copies

Print copies of the Foundations guide can be ordered by calling the NWREL Marketing Office at 1-800-547-6339 x-519. The guide can also be ordered through the NWREL online catalog or by using this publication order form (PDF format). The cost of the guide is $13.00, plus postage and handling, with a discount of 15% on orders of 15 or more.

(www.nwrel.org/mentoring/pdf/foundations.pdf)

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October 8, 2003

New head of Asian-American social services agency brings fresh ideas to job

By Cecilia Kang
Mercury News

When Josephine S. Hawkins became head of the South Bay's largest social services agency for Asian-Americans in July, the organization had run out of money for its youth program.

With just weeks before organizers were about to ax their efforts to keep youths out of gangs and off drugs, Hawkins got to work. The former vice provost of National Hispanic University invited about 100 friends and local leaders to her home in Silver Creek to raise the money for Asian Americans for Community Involvement.

It's that determination and grass-roots style that made Hawkins stand out in AACI's search for a new leader at a time when the prolonged economic slump and deep budget cuts across the state and county threaten the organization.

``She makes things happen, and that's what we need,'' said Chui L. Tsang, an AACI board member and president of San Jose City College. ``She brings an impressive record of fundraising as well as an enthusiasm for issues at AACI.''

In a cross between a Sunday church service and a PBS telethon, Hawkins raised the money for the youth program by passing around a donation box while teens told heart-rending stories about siblings killed in gang violence and her youngest of five children performed a piano concerto. As the box made several trips around the room with guests that included former Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist, Hawkins periodically called out the total of donations until the group reached its goal of $33,000.

Throughout her career, Hawkins also has helped raise millions of dollars for National Hispanic University through a mix of federal and private grants and donations.

``My goal is to put AACI in the black ASAP so that we can look forward to expanding our programs and reach,'' Hawkins said.

For years, AACI was rife with financial problems and mismanagement until former president and CEO Amor Santiago slowly nursed the organization back to health. The organization, which has a budget of more than $8 million, still continues to rely almost entirely on state and county grants and has suffered from public budget cuts this year.

That is one of the first things Hawkins hopes to change.

``We need to rely more on community assistance through grants and donations,'' Hawkins said. ``There is a perception that Asians are wealthy and successful and don't need social services. We need to break that perception.''

One of Hawkins' first decisions as she assumed her new role was to hire a grant writer whose job includes submitting at least one grant application a week. She also plans to host one fundraiser each quarter, in addition to AACI's annual banquet in May. In December, she plans to host one at the Silver Lake Country Club for AACI's domestic violence shelter.

``She never sits still,'' said Monte Perez, provost of National Hispanic University. ``She was great at public relations and very creative at establishing relationship with other organizations.''

Hawkins' roots in social advocacy can be traced back to her devoutly Christian upbringing in the Philippines. Hawkins, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, and her eight siblings spent their weekends helping build libraries and churches for Vietnamese refugees. And her father tried to instill confidence and determination in his seven girls, saying ``nan ni ping teng,'' or ``boys and girls are equally good.''

As only the second woman to head the 29-year-old organization, Hawkins plans to focus on issues that most affect women who are recent immigrants, such as domestic violence and mental health.

Asian-Americans made up half of the 18 people who died as a result of domestic violence in Santa Clara County last year, according to an annual report by the county's Domestic Violence Death Review Committee. Asian-American women also have high rates of depression and suicide, particularly among the elderly and those between the age of 15 and 24. But Asians are also the least likely to seek mental healthcare, according to Hawkins.

``These women, particularly recent immigrants, don't have a voice,'' said Hawkins, who is fluent in Tagalog, Spanish and two Chinese dialects. ``We need to make sure we give them a chance to speak out and seek help.'' 

Contact Cecilia Kang at ckang@sjmercury.com or (408) 920-5066.

(http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/6960598.htm)

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October 7, 2003

Past Is Present For Expressive Pianist

By Richard Dyer

Boston Globe

CAMBRIDGE - The Vietnamese pianist Nguyen Thuy Quynh, 27, studied in her native country, Russia, and New York, and has won the unqualified admiration of some knowledgeable critics and connoisseurs.

Saturday night, she made her local debut, and it was easy to understand why even people who are hard to please like her so much. She is a musical and expressive player who commands a flexible, singing sound. She is often sensitive and poetic, and when she should dazzle with lively rhythm, piquant inflexions, and dashing virtuosity - as in Chopin's "Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise brillante," or in the Chopin waltz she offered as an effervescent encore - she knows how to. Quynh opened with an unusual Sonata in F Minor by Muzio Clementi, which she played in an operatic and romantic style. Her playing of Ravel's "Tombeau de Couperin" was marvelous: she excels in everything that requires elegance, proportion, balance, taste, and wit.

Schumann's "Kreisleriana" was almost too beautifully played, with subtle interplay of inner voices - but this suite of pieces exposed some limitations. There is nothing wild, surprising, ecstatic, or transgressive about Quynh's art, and there is about Schumann's. Quynh's delightful playing feels old-fashioned, and not for an entirely good reason. It is exclusively connected to the past, viewed as the past, and there is nothing of the here-and-now about it. One wished she had played a piece written in her own lifetime by a composer she knows.

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October 3, 2003

Unsaintly Battle Over Church

By Laura Wides

The Associated Press

The ground has been blessed but remains unbroken. Construction of a multimillion dollar Roman Catholic parish named for Vietnam’s patron saint has been delayed indefinitely because of a dispute over who should be pastor of a congregation that is now mostly Hispanic.

Bishop Todd Brown of the Diocese of Orange wants to replace the parish’s current pastor with a priest of Vietnamese descent. The parishioners want the current pastor to stay.

The dispute underscores a deeper tension for the Catholic Church in 21st century America as it attempts to accommodate its increasingly diverse flock.

“The only reason the Catholic Church in the U.S. is still growing is because of immigration,” said Michael Foley, a professor of political science at Catholic University who studies religion and immigration. “There’s a very clear teaching now that the various cultural expressions have to be respected if possible. The difficulty in the case is in the practice.”

The Diocese of Orange wants to replace Our Lady of Lourdes, a tiny, crowded church built in the 1920s for Mexican farmworkers, with Our Lady of Lavang, a parish acknowledging Orange County’s large Vietnamese American community.

The new parish was supposed to be an example of the church’s effort to bring together the two cultures. Now it has become an example of the difficulties in doing so.

“We had become excited about the new church,” said parishioner Oselia Maldonado, who worked over the last two years to prepare for the move. The parish would have celebrated its annual festival at the construction site Oct. 5.

“Now contributions are down,” she said, her voice shaking. “People’s hopes are down.”

The plan began in 2001, when Brown offered more than $6 million to construct a church for the overflowing parish, which crams 300 Sunday school students at outdoor picnic tables because it lacks classrooms.

Parishioners were adamant at first against the church’s new name and the idea of opening it up to the Vietnamese American community, but the pastor, Rev. Bill Barman, convinced them that the change would be good.

“Father Bill explained that the Virgin Mary is the same everywhere,” Maldonado said.

Our Lady of Lavang, according to Catholic faith, was a vision of the Virgin Mary that appeared at the end of the 18th century to persecuted Vietnamese Catholics. She is as important to that community as Our Lady of Guadalupe is to Mexican culture.

Parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes trusted Barman, who is frequently approached by illegal immigrants, to understand their culture, traditions and needs.

Then Brown announced he wanted a Vietnamese American priest to head the new parish instead of Barman, who is white.

Barman refused to step down, and Brown halted construction, saying he will not give the go-ahead until he can make the appointment.

Now parishioners fear they will get lost in the new church. They worry about whether they will still be able to sell tacos and soups on the weekends, what music will be heard during services and whether they will even feel comfortable gathering at the new parish, which will attract many in the surrounding Vietnamese American community.

“With a Vietnamese priest and a Vietnamese name, maybe they won’t understand us. They won’t listen to us,” said Maria Chavez, who has attended Our Lady of Lourdes for 27 years. “Father Bill understands us.”

The diocese readily admits the difficulty in ministering to its diverse community.

But Brown says the diversity is also what makes the diocese interesting. “We are committed to addressing the needs of all the people,” he said, which is why he says it’s time for a Vietnamese-named church with a pastor of Vietnamese descent.

Barman says he is being targeted because he is “the wrong race.” He is fluent in Spanish and has visited Vietnam but speaks little of the language. He says he has worked too hard for the new parish to step down now.

“What would I look like if one month before the move I say, ‘Sorry, I’m leaving?’ ” he said.

The bishop called Barman a fine priest but said he lacks experience with the Vietnamese culture. Brown has not said whom he will select to replace Barman.

Experts say language is the biggest barrier to bringing together the different ethnic communities within the church.

The diocese claims more than 1 million of the nation’s more than 62 million Catholics. About a third of those who attend Mass are Spanish speakers and about 11 percent Vietnamese speakers. The rest are predominantly white, though there are increasing numbers of Filipinos and other Asian Pacific Americans.

“Language matters not so much for the sake of prayer, but for the sake of preserving of one’s culture,” Foley said.

Church becomes a home away from home,” he said, “It’s one of the few socially recognized, officially sanctioned, collective areas where assimilation is not enforced.”

But the differing economic levels of the Hispanic and Vietnamese American communities in the area also creates tension within the church.

The U.S. government resettled thousands of Vietnamese refugees in the region after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

Although Hispanics have a long history in the area, there are many recent poor immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Those who are successful tend to move away.

Some parishioners of the former Lady of Lourdes say they fear that the Vietnamese American community will contribute more money to the new church and will wield more influence.

Some Vietnamese American Catholics say Mexican Americans could contribute more if they wanted to.

Many in the Vietnamese American community say the new church is overdue acknowledgment and see naming a native-speaking pastor as a part of that recognition. The diocese recently named the country’s first Vietnamese American bishop, Dominic Luong. He serves as an auxiliary to Brown.

“The Lady of Lavang was seen at a time when our country was in despair,” said Hien Nguyen, 26, of Anaheim. “Naming a church for her is like honoring our suffering, she said. Maybe people who go there will learn more about our history.”

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