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ACAESUSA Mental Health Matters Day
Wenkui/Jan
On November 12, the air was filled with the resonance of loud gongs and drums, a vibrant lion dance performance, and a stirring national anthem as the Asian Cultural and Educational Society USA (ACAESUSA) hosted “ACAESUSA Mental Health Day”. They extended sincere thanks to Mayor Bob Dubey of Richardson for proclaiming November 12, 2023, as ACAESUSA Mental Health Matters Day. Dignitaries and experts from the region gathered at the Dallas Chinese Community Center for an unforgettable commemoration of ACAESUSA Mental Health Matters Day.
The celebratory occasion unfolded in two parts. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the ACAESUSA Youth Council, UCA DFW Youth Council, and USSDFA – DFW Youth Council for their invaluable support in making this event a success. Additionally, they distributed yellow whistles before, during, and after the event.
The first part focused on local health matters and was hosted by ACAESUSA, with support from Richardson City and Dallas City, alongside several supporting organizations such as UCA, UCA-DFW team, USSDFA, USSDFA-DFW, GAHD, and DCAA. Professionals including Kimberly Richards, Hao Zheng, and Ally Wang provided insights into addressing current mental health challenges affecting children and parents.
The second part centered on national health matters and was hosted by ACAESUSA in partnership with UCA WAVES. Lily Chen, director of the United Chinese Americans UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative, delivered a powerful Big Idea Talk, urging the breaking of silences surrounding mental illness and suicide within the Asian American community. The projects were made possible through the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The event’s success was facilitated by the support of Texas State Rep. Matt Shaheen from District 66, Texas State Rep. Carl O. Sherman, Sr. from District 109, Cindy Tsai (Interim President of Committee of 100), Haipei Shue (President of UCA), Wang Huang (Board Chair of UCA), Jinli (President of GAHD), and Lizhi Wang (President of USSDFA).
Guiding the event were the Youth Council presidents from Highland Park High School: Jessica Wu, Vice President Amy Xu, and Eric Wang from Baylor University, who served as wonderful emcees. Molly Li led the youth group in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Mrs. Jan Xie, President of the Asian Cultural and Educational Society, expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you all for your support and love for each other. A few weeks ago, a Chinese American friend of mine, Denial, passed away suddenly and alone in his home, and a few years ago his son, who was an Ivy League graduate student, died from suicide. In order to avoid a repeat of this tragedy, let’s all join hands and acknowledge the importance of mental health matters.”
2023 National AANHPI Unity Summit
The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) successfully hosted the 2023 National AANHPI Unity Summit on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. from September 25-27. Over 100 AANHPI community leaders gathered to discuss key issues.
During the summit, attendees advocated for five important bills, covering topics such as discrimination, civil rights, hate crime prevention, immigration, and Asian American history education.
Video: 2023 National AANHPI Unity Summit – 5 bills
These bills are:
- Teach Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act (H.R. 3434 and S. 1702)
- Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act (S. 129)
- Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 4627 and S. 2327)
- Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act (H.R. 3697)
- Eliminating Backlogs Act (H.R. 1535)
Organizations like Asian Culture And Education Society USA (ACAESUSA), Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), United Chinese American (UCA), The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), New Portland Foundation, My Sister House, Polynesian Association of Alaska and South Asian Women’s Network…, those are members of AAUC, joined hands for the summit. The event also featured prominent guests, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and several Representatives who discussed legislative priorities, including Connecticut’s Senior Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois), Rep. Grace Meng (New York), Rep. Judy Chu (California), and Rep. Shri Thanedar (Michigan).
Additionally, the summit marked the launch of the online AAPI Community Hub Project, creating the largest network of AAPI nonprofit organizations, totaling approximately 15,000 members.
Several individuals received awards for their contributions, including:
- US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, honored with the Dilip Singh Saund Political Leadership Award.
- US Rep. Grace Meng, recipient of the Norman Mineta Public Service Award.
- Dr. Romesh Japra, celebrated with the Community Service Award.
- Mr. C. C. Yin, acknowledged as Philanthropist of the Year.
- Ms. Tammalivis Salanoa, presented with the President’s Young Person Award.
- Ms. Jessica Wu, recipient of the President’s Youth Awards.
From Left to Right: Lusisana Hansen (Alaska), Jack Hanna (Oregon), Angela Anand (Virginia), Mary Jin (California), Dr. Romesh Japra (California), Norman Mineta, Rep. Grace Meng (New York), Tammalivis Salanoa (Alaska), Dr. S.K. Lo (Minnesota), Dr. Thomas Abraham (Connecticut), Yen Marshall (California), and Jan Xie (Texas).
The speakers also include David Inoue, Cindy Tsai, Grace Yu, Suhag Shukla and Edgar Chen… who shared their insights and expertise. The summit concluded with a congressional reception featuring discussions on community engagement in Congress.
On September 27, a delegation of 20 community leaders attended a White House Briefing to address the issues discussed during their congressional visit. These leaders are: SK Lo, Yen Marshall, Jack Hanna, Jacob Harrer, Marsha Golangco, Angela Anand, Lucy Hansen, Grace Yu, Dani Canaleta, Elijah Matamoro, Romesh Japra, Tammalivis Salanoa, Helen Hsueh, Regina Burnley, Shaline DeGuzman, Lalita Kaul, Indrani Davaluri, Yasmine Padamesee, Shobhana Verma and Jan Xie.
It was a highly successful summit, thanks to the efforts of AAUC President Dr. SK Lo and her team. They will continue to create a community platform for all AAPI organizations and leaders to interact and collaborate on vital community issues.
The 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival – ACAESUSA
美国亚洲文化和教育协会帮助社区庆祝2023年中秋节
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a timeless tradition dating back thousands of years across Asian countries and China, coincides with the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, typically occurring in September. It serves as a powerful magnet, drawing Chinese families together under the mesmerizing moonlight. Among the festival’s many legends, the tale of Chang’e stands out, with her journey to the moon, accompanied by a white rabbit and a laurel tree.
The Asian Cultural and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) dedicated volunteers preserve and celebrate this cherished tradition. They extend their love to Chinese Americans and students, enabling them to partake in the Mid-Autumn Festival, a significant event in the lunar calendar. This festival, with centuries of history, has evolved into a contemporary symbol of familial unity, marked by mooncake exchanges and collective moon-gazing, symbolizing happiness and prosperity.
The highlight of the holiday season is the mooncake, a round pastry filled with delightful toppings that embodies the essence of reuniting with loved ones, sharing and creating precious memories. Our dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic youth committee members purchase mooncakes, delicious food and beverages to distribute to families and students in need, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among the children.
We appreciate our youth volunteers for helping with the celebration: Ethan Li, Howard Li, Grace Wang, Eric Wang, Joseph Wang, Jessica Wu, Amy Xu, Andy Xu,Jake Ho, Jayson Ho and Her Man Cheung. “the Asian Cultural and Education Society USA extends warm wishes to your family. May your home be filled with mooncakes, and may your reunion be filled with happiness and tranquility. In this celebration that transcends generations and continents, we find unity, and through shared traditions, we discover the essence of community.” By the President of ACAESUSA Jan Xie.
Photos and News by jians Media
ACAESUSA PARTICIPATES IN HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ACTIVITIES
On September 16, 2023, ACAESUSA participated in Denton, Texas’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. Volunteers distributed gifts, including yellow whistles, handmade lantern materials, notebooks, candies, and toys. A set of Chinese history books was also donated. Dr. Rudy shared a compelling story about his advocacy for bilingual education for immigrant minorities as a Latino representative.
Hispanic Heritage Month, originally Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, commemorates the rich history, resistance, and triumphs of Hispanics and Latinos. The event celebrated this history through stories, music, and art, honoring their contributions.
ACAESUSA President Jan Xie expressed gratitude to Denton City and Center Director Muller Yosselin for promoting cultural awareness, traditional culture, and youth education while serving the local community.
The event thanked Mayor Gerard Hudspeth and Brian Beck, Brandon McGee, Center Director Muller Yosselin for their support, as well as the Committee of 100 and the Yellow Whistle Project for donating yellow whistles to combat hate against Asians. ACAESUSA’s Mental Health Program, in partnership with UCA-WAVE, addresses mental health issues among young people and Asians. They invite participation in their November event: Event Sign-up. https://forms.gle/UVG22ChK4QrJpHyt9
ACAESUSA participates in Hispanic Heritage Month activities –
The ACAESUSA volunteers
On August 19, 20 youth members of the Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) volunteered at the 2023 Chinese Institute of Engineering annual conference at the University of Texas at Dallas and leveraged yellow whistles to educate the audience about diversity, equity and conclusion.
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The Chinese Institute of Engineers – USA (CIE-USA) is a non-profit professional organization founded in 1917.
The ACAESUSA Youth volunteers helped the CIE’s Youth STEM Conference this year, putting together fun Math programs to entertain and educate students from K-8th grades. They also distributed yellow whistles at the event, and handed out “Stop Asian Hate” cards. Through these activities, ACAESUSA youth members educated community members about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and inspired everyone to stand in solidarity against anti-Asian hate. UCA-DFW and USSDFA-DFW youths also helped with distributing yellow whistles and prizes to the young students at the conference.
Jan Xie, ACAESUSA’s founder said, “It’s important for our youths to develop a strong sense of community service and volunteerism at a young age. That helps reduce bias, stereotypes and hate, and make our society better.” Mrs. Xie congratulated the Chinese Institute of Engineering on having a successful annual conference, and expressed gratitude to Committee 100 and the Yellow Whistle Project for their continued support of community grassroots level outreach efforts across the U.S. in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.