The purpose of the Commission is to gather information regarding AAPI Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs; review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting them; provide the Governor with information and recommendations regarding how best to meet their needs; and provide information about programs and services that may be relevant to AAPI Pennsylvanians’ needs.

The first-ever 501c4 political organization directly advocating for the needs of Asian Pacific Islanders in Pennsylvania, led by and for our communities.https://apipennsylvania.org

Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia (V/WSSP) offers direct assistance and support to crime victims, witnesses and their families in the three Police Districts of South Philadelphia (1st, 3rd, and 17th Districts).As a free service, V/WSSP provides the following:· Information and support services at preliminary hearings, including answering questions about court and police procedures;· Assistance with the criminal justice system, the District Attorney’s Office, Probation and Parole Department, and other related agencies;· Accompaniment of victims and witnesses to trials at the Criminal Justice Center (upon request) and tracking the progress of the case;· Intervention in harassment and intimidation related to the criminal case;· Referrals to other social service agencies for emergency food, shelter, and other needs;· Information on and assistance filing Crime Victim’s Compensation claims;· Short-term crisis counseling and referrals to counseling services for additional support;· Speakers for community, church, and other groups.

Chinatown Vote ProjectAAU’s Chinatown Vote project, begun in 2014, trains youth and adult volunteers to register new voters from our Asian communities, conduct door knocking and phone banking, and assist non-English proficient voters at polls. Since it began, Chinatown Vote volunteers have supported thousands of new and non-English proficient citizens to get-out-to-vote. In 2016, Chinatown Vote began conducting citizenship screenings and legal clinics with legal service provider-partners to support non-English proficient Chinese-speaking community members to attain financial support (fee waivers available for low-income applicants) and complete all the documents and processes to apply for citizenship. Chinatown Vote sees a growing need for this in-language support for community members to take this needed first step towards greater civic engagement. 2020 Census

Chinese Youth Organizing ProjectSince 2010, AAU has started working with a group of underserved Chinese immigrant youth on different issues they face. These youth have named their group “Chinese Youth Organizing Project” (CYOP). Throughout the school year, the youth meet every Friday for two hours to address some of the problems they see everyday: school violence, low school attendance, low high school graduation rate, language barrier (English as second language), low exposure to artistic and recreational activities, limited or no knowledge of the college application process, social oppression, etc.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter appointed Wei Chen to serve as a commissioner of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, the local agency charged with authority to enforce the City’s civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.

Peace First is a national nonprofit organization that exists to create the next generation of peacemakers. We view children as natural problem solvers and creative thinkers, and invest in their ability to see themselves as leaders.