State funding to assist Asian American community organizations across New York

Asian American Federation will receive a total of $6.8 million in funding to be directed to 59 community organizations; Coalition for Asian American Children and Families will receive $1 million-plus, partnering with organizations to enhance youth & young adult services targeting Asian American communities; Chinese-American Planning Council will receive almost $700,000 to help empower Asian American, immigrant & low-income communities in New York City

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $10 million in awards for organizations providing services to Asian American communities that were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The funding, allocated in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget, will be distributed to community-based groups through the Asian American Federation (AAF), the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), and the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), as well as other organizations. There will be a focus on community programs and providers that bring services and supportive programs directly to New York's Asian American communities. 

This will be the largest investment in the Asian American community in New York history.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on so many vulnerable and marginalized communities across New York state," Hochul said. "The Asian American community was especially hard hit, not only by the virus, but by an increase in hate and violent crimes. With this $10 million in funding, we are sending a strong message that hate has no home here, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers in the Asian American community. My administration is laser-focused on continuing to help communities that have for too long been forgotten, not only as we recover from this pandemic, but for years to come."

AAF will receive a total of $6.8 million in funding intended to reinforce the community support offered by a network of organizations that have witnessed a sudden increase in demand for services due to the pandemic. AAF will direct the funding to 59 community organizations that provide direct services, case management, and mental health support that serve Asian New Yorkers throughout the state. In addition, the New York State Assembly is directing $1.4 million in legislative aid to another 40 organizations that serve a wide array of communities in New York.

CACF will receive over $1 million, and will partner with a host of organizations – including Apex for Youth, the Arab American Family Support Center, Asian Americans for Equality, Chinese-American Planning Council, South Asian Youth Action! Korean American Family Service Center, MinKwon Center for Community Action, and Mekong NYC – to enhance youth and young adult services targeting Asian American communities by focusing on social emotional development and mental well-being.

CPC, a social services organization that creates positive social change, will receive almost $700,000 to help empower Asian American, immigrant, and low-income communities in New York City by ensuring they have equitable access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. The funding will support CPC's culturally competent, linguistically appropriate community services and programs to improve the social determinants of health for children, youth, students, families and seniors. Through this initiative, it will expand public access to resources, expand workforce service, enhance wrap-around case management and expand early childhood development.

AAF Executive Director Jo-Ann Yoo said, "We thank Gov. Hochul for her investment and commitment in providing the resources that New York's Asian American community needs now more than ever. With the tragedies that our community has experienced since the start of the pandemic – and painfully so over the last few months – many Asian Americans are fearful for their own lives when stepping out of their homes. Gov. Hochul's leadership shows that our voice is not going unheard as we ask for support to overcome this trauma. Today's announcement is the start of much work to be done, and we look forward to working with the governor and state and city elected officials to ensure that New York's Asian American community is protected and given the resources to preserve past this crisis."

Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, co-executive directors of the CACF, said, "The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families is so grateful to the governor's office for their support of our innovative healing-centered youth programming to address the social emotional needs of our young people. Through this crisis intervention funding, CACF with eight of our organizations have collaboratively developed a curriculum to support young people's healthy sense of self, community connection and belonging, and self-agency. We appreciate our partnership with the state and look forward to sharing the positive impact this funding is having."

CPC President and CEO Wayne Ho said, "We would like to thank the governor's office and state legislators for critical funding to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The increase in anti-Asian violence and hate combined with the economic devastation of the pandemic have left our community in crisis. In the past year, CPC has served over 125,000 New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds through our essential services, financial assistance, and pandemic relief efforts. CPC looks forward to receiving this funding from the state to continue addressing our community members' health, economic and safety needs."