Aapi NJ

Advocacyour advocacy aims to ensure all aapis in new jersey are safe, seen, heard, and respected. Aapi NJ has advocated for issues including educational equity and inclusion, language access, immigrant rights, democracy-related reforms, workers' rights, voting rights, and increased state reinvestment in Aapi communities. We work with state agencies to help them better understand and serve Aapi communities and support NJ aapis' mental health needs with programs and referrals. We expand Aapi civic engagement and participation through nonpartisan voter registration, gotv efforts, and community education.

Cultural awareness and community buildingwe create days and spaces where aapis can share, learn, celebrate, build community, and access direct services, including major celebrations of diwali, lunar new year, holi/songkran, and Aapi heritage month, the annual lantern festival for justice and remembrance, and over 80 smaller events throughout the year with total annual participation of 10,000+ youth and adults. We offer culturally relevant mental and physical wellness workshops, healing sessions, and referrals to address NJ aapis' community needs and reduce stigma, access, and other uptake barriers. We offer capacity-building subgrants to strengthen and support emerging Aapi organizations across NJ.

Educationthrough our teach asian american stories initiative, we ensure that new jersey's educators have access to high-quality resources and training to incorporate Aapi history and contributions into their everyday lesson plans. We served teachers in 100+ districts through the end of 2023 with professional development workshops, books and lesson plans created specially for new jersey, including our state's first illustrated map of asian american history