CACF Blog

CACF was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Departmenet of Health and Human Services, Compassion Capital Fund, Demonstration Program to build the capacity of Asian led and serving organizations in New York City.  Through this grant CACF will be providing FREE Capacity Building Workshops and regranting a total of $280,000. 

CACF is excited about this project and all the support it has receievd!  Launching in 2010, so far CACF has coordinated two successful capacity building workshops with over 70 participants in attendance.  We are happy to announce the 18 organizations who will receive funding through this project!  Read more...

ASAP youth at Educational Justice Day rally

On January 16^th, 2010, members of the Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) attended a rally in Harlem to support the Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ).  There were over a thousand people in attendance supporting CEJ’s Educational Justice Day.  The rally supported Muslim School holidays, the need to keep schools running instead of shutting them down and saving student Metrocards.  ASAP youth decided to support CEJ’s platform because it is similar to the issues that ASAP and CACF are working on.  ASAP youth know that if the city closes down big schools, English Language Learners will be pushed out and will not receive the same resources big schools offer them to ensure their educational success.  Attending the rally made me see that there are so many people fighting for educational equity. The rally got us one step closer!  Read more...

Our Causes Page on Facebook is up and running — Please join us!  This page allows CACF fans, supporters, and donors to help promote and continue supporting CACF and its mission. 

Join our causes page and invite friends: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/444948

ASAP youth brainstorm advocacy strategies

This year’s Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) is comprised of 16 ethnically diverse youth leaders who represent 13 New York City high schools.  In a week long summer orientation, ASAP youth explored several aspects of Asian Pacific American (APA) history and contemporary issues that affect APA students.  Through a series of panel discussions and workshops in our weekly meetings, we decided to address the language access needs of APA high school students.  Many members of ASAP have been victims of the inadequacy and inefficiency of the education system.  By voicing our personal experiences we are the advocates for those who are underrepresented and underserved in the New York City public school system.  Read more...

ASAP youth acting out lives of important APA advocates

CACF’s Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) 16 youth members met this summer at an intense 5 day orientation in August 2009.  The orientation included workshops and discussions exploring power, privilege, oppression, Asian Pacific American (APA) identity, immigration history, advocacy, policy and ways of engaging in social change.  As an ASAP member, I had lots of fun at the orientation and learned a lot of things that really opened my eyes.  One thing that shocked me was the devastating number of high school dropouts in the APA community in New York City. Usually, Asian Pacific American students are seen as a successful group that needs no assistance. However, many APA students are struggling from racism, bias based harassment and a lack of resources as English Language Learners. The summer orientation has motivated me to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community.  Read more...

Attendees at the Capacity Building Project Launch

CACF is excited to introduce our newest project aiming to increase the capacity Asian led and serving organizations in New York City. Funded by a U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS) grant through the Compassion Capital Fund, CACF will be providing free capacity building workshops and regranting $280,000 to Asian led and serving organizations. By building the capacity of organizations, we can increase knowledge of public policy, become better advocates and strengthen the voice of our community to bring about systemic change. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Lee at elee@cacf.org or 212.809.4675 x.108.

CACF joins immigrant health advocates at press conference on health reform.

On November 17, 2009, CACF joined the New York Immigration Coalition and the New York Community Media Alliance a press briefing on “Immigrants & Health Reform”. Our health policy manager, Noilyn Abesamis-Mendoza, shared stories from Project CHARGE’s community health discussions to highlight the need for opportunities for immigrant employers to offer affordable, quality health insurance for their employees and families. Additionally, she spoke about ensuring opportunities for all workers to buy affordable health insurance through the Exchange. As the new system is being developed to make health care coverage accessible and affordable for everyone, immigrants must be fully included as well.

CACF participates in the Stroller Brigade.

On November 5, 2009, CACF joined the Children’s Defense Fund along with children, their parents and caregivers, and other advocates for the Champion for Children’s Health Stroller Brigade. We called on Congress to create a simple, seamless enrollment process for children’s enrollment in CHIP or Medicaid, guarantee that comprehensive prevention and health care services provided to all children in Medicaid be extended to all children in CHIP, and eliminate the unjust lottery of geography to determine how much a family can afford coverage for their children. To learn more, please visit the Children’s Defense Fund New York.

CACF STATEMENT on HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT

CACF applauds House for historic health reform vote but calls for inclusion of immigrants, children, and nonprofits

On November 7, 2009, the House of Representatives made history by passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 220-215. The Coalition for Asian American Children & Families (CACF) applauds the House of Representatives for putting individuals and families first before the interests of the health insurance industry. We are pleased that many of our policy priorities have been included, namely the:  Read more...