Local Groups Among Those Combating AAPI Violence

Korean Community Center staff and volunteers spreading the word at the May 7 AAPI Heritage Month event at Madison Square Park in Oakland. Photo courtesy: Korean Community Center of the East Bay.

Two local Asian community groups are among dozens in California tapping into the $14 million set aside for “Stop The Hate” programs to combat recent surges in crimes against Asian and Pacific Islander individuals and businesses.

A variety of new and expanded services will be provided by the Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities, based in Castro Valley, and the Korean Community Center of the East Bay, based in San Leandro.

Yeri Shon, associate director of the Korean Community Center, said that the group’s Project Uplift is already underway to provide help and let members of the community talk to each other.

A community-wide survey of seniors is being done to gather personal experiences, with the aim of people hearing each other’s stories and setting up healing groups, Shon said. Those could be online, or more likely at senior centers run by several community groups.

“They haven’t been able to meet in person for two years now during the pandemic, so it’s also a way for the community to meet,” said Amy Lam, the center’s chief program strategist.

The Community Thrive online app has also been developed to give small businesses a way to talk to each other, including about crimes, and find out about resources, Shon said.

“The app gives a voice to small business owners, mostly with limited English proficiency,” said Shon. Along with seniors, small business owners are the Asian people most likely to suffer crimes, she said.

“It provides a way for them to get really practical help if they’ve been a victim,” said Lam.

The Korean Community Center offers help to all Asian immigrants and communities. Their staff members can provide services in Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Khmer, and English. They can be reached toll-free at 1-844-828-2254 or via their website at www.kcceb.org

The Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities can be reached at 1-800-881-8502 or by email at info@namichinese.org

Meanwhile, in Oakland Chinatown, the site of some of the most notorious crimes against Asians, community leader Carl Chan reports progress is being made. City police are more visible, they come quickly when called by community anti-crime volunteers, and the community is becoming more likely to cooperate with the police.

Chan, an attack victim himself, said there must be consequences for committing crimes.

“I don’t want to lock up everybody, he said. “If someone needs help, get them help! But don’t give anybody a license to kill.”