搭建橋樑跨文化對話研討會：面對種族主義 亞裔不應沉默 (World Journal)

各族裔社區領袖探討如何搭建橋樑，面對種族問題尋找出路。（會議直播截圖）

針對近日因種族問題引發的全美遊行抗議活動，洛杉磯紀念博物館8日聯合各族裔社區領袖，以主題為「搭建橋樑：關於面對種族主義的跨文化對話」舉辦線上研討會，為目前面臨的問題尋找解決方案和出路。亞美政聯（CAUSE）主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）作為亞裔代表指出，亞裔應該在是否支持警察和遊行抗議中尋找平衡點，更重要的是亞裔不應該保持沉默。

洛杉磯市警局局長摩爾（Michel Moore）與會表示，搶劫已經對數百家商家造成巨大傷害，搶劫是不應該的。他認為，現在警民關係對立，的確應該作出改變，執法透明度，他並希望警察能深入社區，了解居民的需求，分擔職責，警察不再僅僅把自己標榜為執法人員，更多需要的是警民合作。

儘管此次是因非裔引發的種族問題，但許多遊行活動中不乏亞裔支持者，並且大多是年輕人。胡澤群表示，事實上很多亞裔在這個國家也是被人另眼相待，他們被冠上是「外國人」，而不是美國人。因為亞裔參政不積極，在大環境中沒有存在感，尤其是華裔新移民、留學生，面臨一些政治因素及中美貿易問題，目前的中美關係幾乎進入冰點，讓大家更加艱難。

而新冠疫情爆發後，川普政府指責這是中國的問題，宣稱是「中國病毒」，導致疫情期間亞裔面臨種種挑戰，甚至出現反亞裔現象，亞裔面臨著種族歧視，被其他人認為亞裔將病毒帶來這個國家，如果亞裔離開了，疫情就會好轉。胡澤群表示，面對政府的不公平指責，亞裔不會抱怨，導致整個族裔都成為受害者，就連疫情期間奮戰在一線的亞裔醫護人員都無一例外地遭遇指責。他認為，亞裔也是美國重要的一部分，大家應該團結一致抗擊疫情，聯合各族裔對話。

警察專注於和平抗議的人群，卻在暴徒對商家打砸搶時消失的現象，胡澤群表示感到痛心。他說，亞裔文化中人們相信、支持甚至依賴警察可以維護社區治安，保衛家園。事實上，1992年洛杉磯暴亂時，警方放棄韓國城，韓裔只有自己拿起槍來保衛家園，防止暴徒闖入。

胡澤群提到，他不希望這樣的事情重演，這次疫情重挫各行各業，商家還未恢復過來，又遭暴徒侵襲。大型商家有保險還可以緩一口氣，可是很多亞裔商家都是小本生意，甚至無法負擔保險，多重打擊之下很多生意都再也回不來了，失去工作、商業合約，損失慘重。他支持和平遊行，但不支持暴徒趁機作亂。

他指出，教育、投資年輕一代非常重要，但希望亞裔能尋找平衡點，需要大家參與，總是保持沉默並不是解決問題的辦法。

CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo Joins LA Leaders to Discuss Racial Justice and Community Cooperation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Justine Ventura Mejia

Programs Manager

Phone: (213)269-4639

Email: justine@causeusa.org

What:  “Building Bridges: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue About Confronting Racism” Panel will feature a diverse pool of equity-oriented leaders in conversation about the death of George Floyd, confronting racism, and paving a path forward together.

Who: 

Charlie Woo -- Board Chair, Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE)

Julie Bank -- Board Chair, Jewish Center for Justice

Michael Lawson -- President & CEO, Los Angeles Urban League

Dan Schnur -- Board Member, Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Helen Torres -- CEO, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)

When: Monday, June 8, 2020

12:00PM - 1:00PM

Charlie Woo will also be available for one-on-one interviews with interested reporters. Please contact Justine Ventura Mejia at (213) 269-4639 or by email at: justine@causeusa.org 

Where: Online via Zoom

Register HERE

Why: The recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police to the increase in Asian Pacific American (APA) community activism following heightened anti-Asian racism related to COVID-19 shows the critical nature of the panel discussion and power of collaboration.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development. 

Since its founding 1993, CAUSE has led efforts to drive APA civic engagement, from facilitating in-language Get Out The Vote workshops in the Greater Los Angeles Area to hosting the first-ever APA-facing gubernatorial debate in California history in 2018. CAUSE plans to continue efforts in 2020 to mobilize the community by providing the knowledge, access, and network to inspire APAs of all ages to voice their vote. 

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015. 

# # # 

加州新民調：年輕亞裔支持桑德斯 年長挺彭博 (World Journal)

一項加州民調顯示，亞裔年長者青睞彭博。（取材自彭博臉書）

一項加州民調顯示，亞裔年輕人支持桑德斯，且他因獲得有色人種的廣泛支持，有望在加州初選中獲勝。（取材自彭博臉書）

由亞美政聯（CAUSE）和分別代表非裔和西裔權益的另兩個組織，主導並出資的加州選民調查報告25日出爐，許多亞裔選民仍未決定民主黨總統初選的投票對象。但年輕亞裔選民，傾向於支持桑德斯(Bernie Sanders）；50歲以上亞裔選民，則偏好彭博(Mike Bloomberg)。因為桑德斯獲得廣泛有色人種支持，他有望在加州初選中獲勝。

調研由Strategies 360擔綱，該公司在2月12日至19日通過網路，採訪加州1350名年齡在18歲以上選民，最終完成800名符合條件的樣本。該抽樣統計考慮年齡、族裔、性別及教育程度等因素，使抽樣與人口普查局的加州人口特徵（demographic characteristics）一致。

這項調研提供了不同尋常的細節，詳細說明了加州的西裔、非裔以及亞太裔觀點。在很多人看來，這些團體規模太小，無法進行分析。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，這是首次有亞裔對總統候選人看法的信息。報告揭示諸多有趣現象，對總統候選人有指導意義。例如報告反饋，20%的亞裔選民仍未選定心儀的總統候選人，即俗稱的「搖擺選民」，候選人或因加強與亞裔社區的互動，爭取這部分選票。

研究取樣中，華裔占亞裔總數的25%。18歲至49歲的亞裔選民，31%支持桑德斯；50歲以上亞裔選民，17%支持彭博。胡澤群表示，代溝在選擇候選人時廣泛存在，年長者支持政見相對溫和的彭博；年輕亞裔，則更喜歡政見相對激進的桑德斯。

另一位鋒頭正盛的民主黨候選人白登（Joe Biden），在民調中卻未獲亞裔較高支持率，讓胡澤群頗感意外。他表示，亞裔民眾通常對曾掌權的候選人有好感，但前副總統的白登未獲青睞，讓他有些驚訝，他也捉摸不透。

民調顯示，桑德斯在加州有45%支持率，其中白人、西裔、非裔及亞裔間的支持率分別為30%、57%、57%及46%；相比於其他民主黨候選人，他更有希望在加州勝出。

對於共和黨總統川普的執政政績，加州選民多予以否定。僅29%的受訪者認同川普執政理念；但白人對川普的認同度最高，達37%，其次是亞裔25%，再次是西裔24%，最後為非裔10%。更多民調內容，請見https://www.strategies360.com/landing/californiapolling/。

Bernie Sanders has broad support in diverse California communities, new poll finds (Los Angeles Times)

Bernie Sanders greets supporters in Santa Ana last week. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders has widespread support among communities of color in California, outstripping his nearest Democratic rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden and former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, according to a new statewide poll.

The survey offers an unusual level of detail on the views of Latino, African Americans and Asian and Pacific Americans in California, groups that in many opinion surveys are too small to analyze. It provides strong evidence of the Vermont senator’s ability to build a multiracial, multiethnic coalition in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Sanders dominated Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, largely on the strength of his support among Latinos, and he’s hoping to upend Biden’s campaign in South Carolina this Saturday by winning over African Americans.

In California, Sanders has significant support among both those groups, the poll indicates.

But all racial and ethnic groups in the survey showed a sharp division by age. That reflects other surveys around the country that show Sanders, 78, with overwhelming support among younger Americans, but much lower levels with people his own age.

Among Latinos younger than 50, for example, Sanders enjoyed roughly a 3-1 lead over Bloomberg when poll respondents were asked whom they would most like to see as the next president. Latinos 50 and older were divided closely between Sanders, Biden and Bloomberg. Similar age divisions showed up among blacks, Asian Americans and whites in the poll.

“This isn’t just a generation gap: It’s a generational revolution,” said Dan Schnur, the longtime political consultant who helped organize the new survey. “Young people of every race and ethnicity are rejecting the political system of their parents and grandparents.”

“There’s a remarkable consistency by age” across racial lines, said Drew Lieberman, the pollster with Strategies 360, a Seattle-based polling and research firm, who oversaw the survey. Notably, younger people in the poll were less likely than those in their 50s and 60s to say they were undecided, the reverse of the typical pattern, Lieberman noted.

Age also stands out as a far more significant point of division than ideology, for example, as Sanders leads among Californians who call themselves moderates, as well as liberals.

The poll — sponsored by the Los Angeles Urban League; HOPE, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality; and CAUSE, the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment — is not a likely voter sample and doesn’t aim to forecast the results of California’s March 3 primary. Instead, the numbers reflect a broader look at attitudes among both voters and nonvoters in the diverse ethnic and racial groups of the nation’s largest state.

Asked to pick among the leading Democrats and President Trump and say who they would most like to see as the next president, a third of Latino adults, one quarter of African Americans and just over 1 in 5 Asian Americans chose the Vermont senator.

“Sanders has been able to build on his base from 2016,” said Helen Torres, executive director of HOPE.

Bloomberg was the top pick of about 1 in 8 Latinos and Asian Americans and 1 in 6 African Americans, the poll found.

Biden drew the same support as Bloomberg among Latinos. He did slightly better among African Americans and significantly worse among Asian Americans, being the top pick of fewer than 1 in 10.

“The results are consistent with what we’ve seen” elsewhere, said Michael Lawson of the Urban League, noting that although the primaries are moving quickly, “it’s still a very early time in the process” for most voters.

None of the other Democrats drew above 10% support with any of the major racial or ethnic groups.

White Californians stood alone in their support for Trump. Just under one-third of white Californians said Trump would be their top pick. That was twice the level of support Trump received from Latinos and Asian Americans in the survey. Among the Democrats, Sanders and Bloomberg got the most white support.

African Americans were the most negative toward Trump — only 5% said he would be their first choice.

The president has repeatedly touted what he sees as achievements that should attract African Americans — including low unemployment rates and his backing for limited reforms in the criminal justice system. Those appeals have failed to sway opinions, however.

Asian Americans in the survey were notably more likely than others to say they remained unsure who their first pick for president would be, noted Charlie Woo, the board chair of CAUSE. Asian and Pacific Americans “are still up for grabs,” he said. “There are going to be a lot of last-minute decisions.”

Respondents were also asked to say which of the candidates they thought would make a good president. Sanders’ backers were notably skeptical of Bloomberg on that measure.

The poll was conducted online by Strategies 360 from Feb. 12 through 19, meaning it was largely completed before the candidate debate last week in Las Vegas. It surveyed 1,350 adults statewide, with over-samples of African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans to allow more detailed analysis. Final results were weighted to reflect the proportion of each group in the state’s population. Question wording and results are available on the firm’s website.

加州3月初選投票 亞美政聯和州務卿鼓勵亞裔踴躍投票 (Sky Link TV)

亞美政聯舉行發佈會呼籲選民積極參與投票 (SinoTV-LA)

亞美政聯CAUSE今天與多個亞太裔社區的組織代表，及加州州務卿帕迪亞，為2020年的選舉與人口普查，舉辦了新聞發佈會。以呼籲亞太裔民眾為了亞太裔群體以及自身的合法權益，因積極參與投票及人口普查。

州务卿帕迪拉呼吁亚太裔踊跃参加人口普查 (US China Press)

【侨报记者高睿2月11日洛杉矶报道】亚美政联（CAUSE）11日联合代表亚太裔社区的多个南加社团在洛杉矶日美博物馆举行题为“加入普查”（Make Us Count）的记者会，希望透过媒体的宣传向亚太裔居民宣传参加2020人口普查的重要性，加州州务卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）受邀到场并做了主题演讲。

帕迪拉在会上介绍了3月份即将到来的总统大选以及即将表决的一系列提案，称南加百姓踊跃参加人口普查对这场选举、关系到切身利益的提案结果以及自己能否得到联邦拨款关系十分重大。“因为不论你什么身份，公民、绿卡也好，无证移民也罢，只要你加入人口普查，联邦政府一律拿出每个人每年2000元的政府拨款给加州，按照10年一次的统计周期计算，一个人10年下来就可得到2万元的联邦拨款。

帕迪拉强调，很多无证移民过去不敢参加人口普查，生怕自己的非法身份暴露出来，导致被移民局遣返。“人口普查的资料绝对保密，该项数据决不允许任何人、任何政府部门以任何借口拿去分享，该数据仅用于人口统计和争取联邦拨款的目的。过去的10年由于很多无证移民没有加入人口普查，导致加州少得了几十亿的联邦拨款，这么一大笔政府拨款对加州的经济建设而可谓言举足轻重”。

帕迪拉向亚裔社区介绍人口普查的重要性。侨报记者高睿摄

周柏华（左）和吴孟臻呼吁华裔选民积极参加人口普查。侨报记者高睿摄

胡泽群（中）和与会者一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄

华美银行副董事长王国兰作为活动赞助商在会上发言。侨报记者高睿摄

亚美政联主席胡泽群表示，亚裔占加州人口的15%，因此亚裔人口的统计在人口普查过程中尤为重要，这不仅在于我们能从联邦那里每年得到多少政府经费，更体现在这15%的选票对美国政坛的影响，对选举结果和各项立法能否通过的不可忽视的作用。要充分体现亚裔选民对美国政治生态的影响，我们各个亚裔社团就必须紧密合作，形成强大的政治力量，这样才能让亚裔社区的合法权益得到切实的保障。

钻石吧市议员周柏华表示，亚裔在加州是增长最快的人口，但过去的10年亚裔人口一直没有被充分统计普查，加州政府和亚裔社区也因此少得了几十亿的联邦拨款，这笔经费对加州和地方政府的经济建设、商业发展和教育计划都有着极大的影响。他希望南加华人积极参加人口普查，为自己的合法权益得到充分的保障而做出应有的贡献。

艾尔蒙迪学区教委吴孟臻指出，人口普查对美国华人十分重要，每人10年两万元的联邦拨款可直接造福加州的经济、教育和交通建设。小孩上学的费用，营养午餐的费用，学校教职员工的薪水等全靠这笔联邦拨款。如果哪些华人因为身份问题或其他原因没有参加人口普查，在未来的10年里加州的教育经费就会被削减。由于加州人口的负增长，很多学区因生源不足导致部分学校不得不关门倒闭。

亞美政聯和州務卿合作 動員亞裔3月初選投票 (World Journal)

亞美政聯和州務卿合作動員亞裔3月初選投票。左一為亞美政聯主席胡澤群，右三為州務卿帕迪拉。（記者丁曙／攝影）

洛杉磯亞太裔社區領袖出席動員會。（記者丁曙／攝影）

影音來源：記者丁曙

2020年3月3日初選即將來臨，為動員數百萬亞太裔積極參與、踴躍選票，亞美政聯（CAUSE）和加州州務卿辦公室合作，11日在日美國家博物館舉行「讓我們投票計數」（Make Us Count）新聞發布會，強調今年選舉有兩大特點，一是新的投票模式非常便利，延長投票時間，和提供多種亞洲語言的選票，移除了語言障礙；二是加州初選日期提前三個月，亞太裔（APA）的投票動向在全國具有示範作用，鼓勵亞太裔選民要在初選日衝高投票率。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）指出，對數百萬亞太裔，2020年是至關重要的大選年，可扮演關鍵少數角色。亞美政聯與加州州務卿合作，推動亞太裔融入主流政治展開對話，提高亞太裔投票率。

加州州務卿帕迪拉（Alex Padilla）表示，今年投票方式有重大改變，實施「選民選擇法案」（Voter’s Choice Act），提供更方便選擇。包括大幅提早投票日期，增設多個社區投票中心，提供多種少數族裔語言選票，包括多種亞洲語言，幫助不諳英語的新移民移除障礙。此外，亞裔還要積極參加人口普查，確保公平和準確的人口普查數據，作為申請聯邦經費依據，直接關係亞裔社區利益。

鑽石吧華裔市議員周柏華（Andrew Chou）和山景學區華裔教委吳孟臻（Cindy Wu）代表華裔民選官員協會（CEO），呼籲華人和亞裔選民重視和投入3月3日初選。

亞太社區基金會執行長黃群雁指出，以往大選年加州初選都在6月上旬舉行，然而此時其他很多州的初選早已結束，加州的選舉變得不很重要。但今年加州初選首次提前到3月。加州是美國最大州，加州動向舉足輕重，因此加州的亞裔要踴躍投票。

華美銀行資深副總裁，行銷部兼社區發展部總監（Emily Wang），該銀行贊助拍攝公益廣告片，宣傳用選票發聲的重要性，讓政府聽到亞裔的聲音，才能為自己爭取應有的權益。

鑽石吧市議員周柏華（左）和山景學區教委吳孟臻代表華裔民選官員協會，呼籲華人選民投入加州3月初選。（記者丁曙／攝影）

加州州務卿帕迪拉介紹今年的投票方式有了重大改變。（記者丁曙／攝影）

便利加州選民投票 增加多國語言服務 (ETTV America)

2020年「美國大選」開始起跑，為鼓勵華人踴躍投票，「亞美政聯 與 華美銀行」特別聯合 加州州務卿，呼籲華人選民 提早 登記投票。

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla joins CAUSE, APA Leaders for “Make Us Count” Press Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

The Honorable Alex Padilla
California Secretary of State

Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE

Tami Bui
Associate VP, Government & Community Relations at California State University, Fullerton
Board Member, CAUSE

Caroline Choi
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Southern California Edison

Emily Wang
Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing and Community Development, East West Bank

What: The “Make Us Count” Press Conference will focus on the new voting model, emphasize the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, and discuss the availability of in-language ballots to encourage voter participation in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

When: Tuesday, February 11, 2019
10:00 AM - 11:30AM

Where: Japanese American National Museum, Toshio Inahara Gallery Foyer
100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Street parking and nearby lots are available at varying rates.

Why: The “Make Us Count” Press Conference will provide an invaluable opportunity for community leaders to engage with the Secretary of State, opening dialogue for ways to improve voter participation in the APA community, along with how the public and non-profit sectors can work together to increase voter turnout.

Interview Opportunities: 

Press will have the opportunity to ask questions during the Press Conference. Individual interviews may be conducted after the program at the discretion of speakers and attending community leaders. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. The Honorable Alex Padilla

2. Charlie Woo

3. Tami Bui

4. Caroline Choi

5. Emily Wang

6. Various APA community leaders & organization representatives

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

Since its founding 1993, CAUSE has led efforts to drive APA civic engagement, from facilitating in-language Get Out The Vote workshops in the Greater Los Angeles Area to hosting the first-ever APA-facing gubernatorial debate in California history in 2018. CAUSE plans to continue efforts in 2020 to mobilize the community by providing the knowledge, access, and network to inspire APAs of all ages to voice their vote.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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CAUSE Announces Departure of Kim Yamasaki, Outgoing Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Los Angeles, CA – As of January 3rd, 2020, Kim Yamasaki has formally resigned from her position as Executive Director of CAUSE. The decision was personal and came from her desire to lean into her entrepreneurial spirit to start a social impact business with a colleague.

Kim first became involved with CAUSE in 2013 when she was a student intern through the CAUSE Leadership Academy summer internship program. Her passion to serve the Asian Pacific American community led to her being recruited to help coordinate the program the following summer, and to the position of Executive Director soon after. CAUSE staff and board members are extremely grateful for Kim’s leadership for the past five and a half years. From streamlined/mission-aligned programming to bolstering and elevating the organizational brand — CAUSE has made tremendous strides under her direction. CAUSE staff intend to continue to build upon Kim’s vision of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation and wish her the best in exploring her full potential beyond her role at CAUSE.

“I will always be thankful to CAUSE, the Board of Directors, especially our Board Chair Charlie Woo, our team of staff, volunteers, and the countless supporters in the community. I grew up in the community and the community raised me. It was an honor and privilege to give back to those same communities,” said Kim Yamasaki, outgoing CAUSE Executive Director.

“While we are saddened by her departure, we always take great pride to see young leaders from the CAUSE family spreading their wings to pursue their passions outside the organization. I will miss working side by side with her as I have for the past five and a half years. She was an amazing colleague who shared my vision and passion for CAUSE,” said Charlie Woo, CAUSE Board Chair.

The CAUSE Board of Directors has put together a search committee to actively recruit a new Executive Director over the next few months. During this time, Richard Leong, previously CAUSE Director of Programs & Strategic Innovation, will be acting as the Interim Executive Director. Kim Yamasaki will also be involved in the transition process as an organization consultant on a contractual basis.

CAUSE has always been rooted in our Leadership Development programs and plans to continue to ensure their ongoing development and execution in 2020 and beyond. CAUSE staff are committed to upholding our values of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring our program participants receive the necessary knowledge, access, and network to enhance their growth as leaders.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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課業兼顧興趣 華裔養女進名校 (World Journal)

瓦薩學院畢業典禮，梅妮和養父母全家歡慶。（校友梅妮提供）

瓦薩學院歡迎2017屆新同學梅妮到來。（校友梅妮提供）

梅妮（Lianne May）出生於中國浙江省杭州附近，嬰兒時期被一對美國白人夫婦從福利院領養，定居科羅拉多州Boulder市。身為在美國中產家庭長大的華裔女孩，梅妮從小熱愛學習、音樂和運動，2017年畢業於著名文理學院瓦薩學院（Vassar College），主修心理學和西班牙裔研究。她的教育和求職經歷與華人新移民家庭的孩子不同，對跨入美國名校大門提供了新視角。

養父從事化學科技、養母任職小學教師，梅妮是這個白人家庭唯一的孩子。高中四年，選修許多AP課程和榮譽課程，升入大學後覺得課業沒有想像中艱難。她喜歡游泳，訓練了八年成為花式游泳選手；這項運動教會了她團隊合作、如何在課業學習和運動訓練間取得平衡。她堅持練習11年長笛，顯示對藝術和拓展視野的興趣。

梅妮撰寫的申請大學論文概括了自己的角色：優秀生、運動員、音樂家，真誠地表達多方面興趣，最重要的她是一個非常敬業的學生，升大學是首要任務。這些紀錄和努力給招生官員留下深刻印象。

梅妮如願進入競爭激烈的瓦薩學院。該校位於紐約州哈德遜山谷，是一所華麗的校園，擁有悠久歷史。瓦薩學院課程設置允許學生選修專業以外課程。喜愛運動的她又加入瓦薩學院賽艇隊（Vassar College Rowing），大學四年每天早晨在哈德遜河（Hudson River）上練習。學校靠近紐約市，周末她和同學們乘火車去大都市休閒。

和大多數中產家庭一樣，面對瓦薩學院每年超過7萬元學雜費和食宿費，梅妮和養父母面臨沉重的財務壓力。於是全家人動起來，通過深入研究和尋找資源，瞭解如何根據每個家庭的經濟狀況調整學費，學校根據學生的學術成績或財務需求，提供獎學金或降低學費。瓦薩學院擁有大量的社會贈與金，這意味學校會根據學生經歷、成績、論文等錄取學生，並根據需要提供財務資助。梅妮指出，學生和家庭需要了解大學提供的資源和機會，可以不考慮學費價碼選擇大學。

梅妮說，瓦薩學院學生來自不同背景，打造開放式校園文化，引領學生討論校園和世界時事。學校擁有活躍的校友網絡和人脈，可與國內和國際上大多數主要城市的校友聯繫。畢業後梅妮曾在不同城市居住和工作，常遇到校友。

梅妮在暑假期間四處旅行和工作，增廣見聞。2015年暑期來到洛杉磯，加入亞美政聯（CAUSE）暑期領導才能訓練營，在加州眾議員周本立（Ed Chau）辦公室實習，立志公共服務和社區改造。梅妮說，這段經歷影響到她的職業和個性，迄今她仍然與當年的導師和營友們保持聯繫。

她從大三開始，通過校友網路與師長關係，打電話發電郵與很多感興趣的公司、機構、組織建立聯繫，將姓名和簡歷送到潛在雇主手中，獲得應徵多個工作的機會。

畢業後她做過全職和兼職工作，花了兩年半時間，才找到真正喜歡的職業。她現任紐約市平民投訴審查委員會調查員，代表平民投訴人調查涉嫌不當行為的紐約警察的案件。

梅妮（Lianne May）加入瓦薩學院劃艇隊在哈德遜河上參加晨訓。（校友梅妮提供）

Join the Visionaries Awards with NBC4 Reporter Lolita Lopez

Join Southern California Leadership Network (SCLN) for its 2019 Visionaries Awards on Wednesday, November 20 in Hollywood. This year's theme is "Moving Southern California Forward," celebrating outstanding leaders for their roles in advancing the region, state and nation.

NBC4 Investigative Reporter Lolita Lopez will moderate the panel conversation with the following honorees:

• Southern California Leaders of the Year: Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO, AltaMed, and Zoila Escobar, Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, AltaMed, and President, AltaMed Foundation

• Global Leader of the Year: Kevin Cottrell, The Guido Goldman Director, Leadership Programs, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

• Alum of the Year: Kim Yamasaki, Executive Director, Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE)

Southern California Leadership Network equips individuals with the skills to be thoughtful, engaged and knowledgeable community leaders. The organization offers three signature civic leadership fellowships designed for working professionals: Leadership L.A., Leadership Southern California and Riordan Leadership Institute.

With more than 300 dignitaries, community leaders and special guests in attendance, the event brings together alumni and supporters of all SCLN leadership programs. To learn more and how to attend, visit https://leadershipnetwork.org/visionaries-awards.

California Community Foundation Grants $7 Million to 50 Groups in First Wave of Regional Funding

LOS ANGELES – September 6, 2019 – In preparation of the landmark Get out the Count census effort in Los Angeles County, the California Community Foundation (CCF) awarded $7 million in grants to local nonprofits for education and outreach efforts across the region.

Earlier this year, CCF was named the region’s Administrative Community Based Organization (ACBO) by the State of California. This designates CCF as responsible for leading and coordinating education and outreach in Los Angeles County – which is ranked the hardest to count region in the nation.  In addition to resources from the state for this role, philanthropic leaders have stepped in to contribute to a pooled fund supporting community-based outreach efforts for the 2020 Census. Key funding partners of the pooled fund include the Weingart Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, Ballmer Group, the California Endowment, Smidt Foundation, Mindy and Gene Stein, Libra Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.

Grantees will receive funding ranging from grants of $35,000 to $500,000 to support community education, digital media outreach, direct outreach, coalition building, assistance centers and technical assistance.

“Census data drives federal funding in Los Angeles County for services and programs that are critical to the health and well-being of our communities, particularly our most vulnerable populations. Accurate data also impacts our political representation in Congress,” said Antonia Hernández, president and CEO of the California Community Foundation. “There is simply too much to gain – too much at stake – to not do all we can to ensure everyone is counted.”

Nearly half of L.A. County residents meet the hard-to-count criteria, including racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, mixed-status families, young children and the homeless. For the first time, the census will be principally administered online, creating major concerns around privacy and digital literacy. Controversy around the citizenship question, though no longer on the census questionnaire, leaves many immigrant communities suspicious of how their information will be used. Compounding these issues is anticipation that bad actors will emerge to suppress participation.

The cohort of community groups awarded reflect the county’s incredible diversity and breadth of engagement required to Get Out the Count. Their work, understanding and credibility among diverse populations will be crucial to count all of Los Angeles.

CCF will continue to work with community and government partners to ensure that no Angeleno goes uncounted. A second request for proposals will open on September 9th, which will fund additional community-based outreach and education activities across the region.

CONTACT
Roshin Mathew
rmathew [@] calfund [.] org
(213) 452-6229

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See below for full list of grantees.

We Count L.A Grantees:

A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL)

Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON)

Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice

Community Partners fbo California Native Vote Project

Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norte America

Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA)

Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates of Southern California

NALEO Educational Fund

Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles

Pomona Economic Opportunity Center

Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund (SALEF)

Social Justice Learning Institute

Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative

Families In Schools

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles

Black Women for Wellness

Central City Neighborhood Partners

Centro CHA Inc.

Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC)

Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition

Los Angeles Black Worker Center (LABWC)

Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California

Proyecto Pastoral

South Asian Network (SAN)

Special Service for Groups, Inc. / API Forward Movement

Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE)

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

International Rescue Committee

Filipino Migrant Center

Long Beach Forward, A project of Community Partners

Asian Youth Center

Building Skills Partnership

Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE)

Equality California Institute

Pukuu Cultural Community Services

InnerCity Struggle

California Black Women’s Health Project

AltaMed Health Services Corp

Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH)

Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization  (ICO)

Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment

Children’s Institute, Inc.

Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE)

LA Voice

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Community Development Technologies Center (CDTech)

ACCE LA

Human Services Association

California Calls

LA Partnership

亞美政聯學院 15亞裔生畢業 (World Journal)

亞美政聯領導學院畢業典禮，學生做「公民參與項目」簡報。（記者陳開／攝影）

亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，該項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。（記者陳開／攝影）

亞美政聯領導學院（CAUSE）16日舉行畢業典禮（2019 Graduating），為15名學生頒發畢業證書。亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）表示，該政治實習項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。

15名學生分別在巴沙迪那與聖蓋博谷計畫生育組織（Planned parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel valley）、聯邦眾議員趙美心（Judy Chu）辦公室及州眾議員周本立（Ed Chau）辦公室等地實習，累積了從政實務經驗。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，瑞士網球名手費德勒（Roger Federer），少年時就展示出網球天分，但家人並沒有一開始就培養他打網球，而是讓他接觸棒球等其他球類運動。當費德勒對其他項目有了充分體驗後，再投入網球運動，經受多重經驗的加持，讓他的職業道路變得寬敞明亮。胡澤群指出，費德勒故事的說明，成功不是由單點構成，而是多點形成的面。亞美政聯旨在為學生提供更多的「點」，而這些經歷能讓學生們受益。

在「公民參與項目（Civic engagement project）」簡報環節，學生們分享了他們在聖蓋博谷地區推行節水計畫心得。Amanda Yuan表示，通過走訪阿罕布拉市60個商家，他們發現許多業者母語為中文，而學生團隊中，缺乏會講中文的學員。語言障礙是推行計畫不得不面對的難題之一。Amanda Yuan建議聖蓋博水區（San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District），以後可以考慮僱用更多會講中文的職員，並印製更多中文宣傳資料，在微信等華人常用社交媒體上開設主頁，可以更好宣傳節水相關資訊。

CAUSE to Host Graduation for 2019 Leadership Academy Interns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

Diana Lam
Senior at Wellesley College
2017 Leadership Academy Alumnus

Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE

Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE

Snehal Desai
Producing Artistic Director, East West Players

Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE

Audrey Soriano
Manager of Leadership Development, CAUSE

2019 CAUSE Leadership Academy Interns

Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley

Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chaua

Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa

Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group

Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts

Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company

Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks

Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu

Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players

Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect

Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen

Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)

Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano

Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE

What: The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.

Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.

When: Friday, August 16, 2019
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Where: KPCC Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91105

Street parking and nearby lots are available at varying rates. Small plates and refreshments will be served.

Why: The CAUSE Leadership Academy Graduation celebrates this year’s class and their completion of the program. Join elected officials, community leaders, local press, and families to congratulate the leaders of tomorrow!

Interview Opportunities: 

Interviews may be conducted before the program at the discretion of speakers and Leadership Academy interns. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. Leadership Academy interns

2. Snehal Desai (Keynote Speaker)

3. Diana Lam (MC)

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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