May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the country. At MIRA, we are proud to stand alongside AANHPI-led and AANHPI-serving organizations who are doing essential work every day: providing services, building power, and fighting for the dignity and rights of immigrant and refugee communities in Massachusetts.
This month, we want to take a moment to recognize the MIRA member organizations whose work centers AANHPI communities. Their leadership reminds us that a strong, multiracial, multilingual immigrant rights movement depends on the strength of every community within it. We are honored to be in coalition with each of them.
Asian American Civic Association
The Asian American Civic Association provides limited English speaking and economically disadvantaged people with education, occupational training and social services enabling them to realize lasting economic self-sufficiency. AACA has served and advocated for the needs of immigrants and other economically disadvantaged people since 1967. https://aaca-boston.org
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK)
ATASK is a community organization serving pan-Asian survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. We provide services in Greater Boston and Greater Lowell and offer limited assistance in other cities throughout Massachusetts and New England. We currently provide services in 18 Asian languages and dialects. Our mission is to prevent domestic and intimate partner violence in Asian families and communities and to provide hope to survivors. ATASK is committed to serving survivors of domestic violence representing all ages, ability levels, education levels, race, national origin, cultures, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. https://www.atask.org/
Asian Community Development Corporation
The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) works in underserved and immigrant Asian American communities in the Greater Boston region to create and preserve affordable, sustainable, and healthy neighborhoods. We achieve this by building affordable homes and vibrant spaces, empowering families with asset-building tools, and strengthening communities through resident and youth leadership. https://asiancdc.org/
Asian American Resource Workshop
Founded in 1979 as one of the Boston area’s first pan-Asian organizations, AARW is an intergenerational social justice nonprofit that promotes Asian American identity while addressing contemporary issues affecting our communities. For 45 years they have organized Asian and Asian American communities in Greater Boston to resist displacement—from housing injustice to deportation—and to build collective power for liberation. https://www.aarw.org/
Asian Women For Health
Asian Women for Health is dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of Asian women and people from diverse, underrepresented backgrounds through community engagement, education, and representation. http://www.asianwomenforhealth.org/
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
The mission of BCNC is to ensure that the children, youth, and families we serve have the resources and supports they need to achieve greater economic success and social well-being. https://bcnc.net/
Chinese Progressive Association
The Chinese Progressive Association is a grassroots community organization working for full equality and empowerment of the Chinese community in the Greater Boston area and beyond. https://www.cpaboston.org/
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts
The Southeast Asian Coalition is a nonprofit organization that supports, promotes and advocates for the success of the Southeast Asian of Central Massachusetts into mainstream society while maintaining our unique cultural identity. The Southeast Asian Coalition will pursue its mission by: Providing assistance in the area of educational and job training, economic, as well as emotional, social and cultural support to enable Southeast Asians to successfully mainstream into American society; linking the Southeast Asians and the American community; supporting the Cultural heritage of the different Southeast Asian cultures represented in the Greater Worcester community. http://www.seacma.org/
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Agency (CMAA)
The CMAA works to improve the quality of life for Cambodian Americans and other minorities and economically disadvantaged persons in Lowell through educational, cultural, economic and social programs. http://www.cmaalowell.org/wp/
Quincy Asian Resources (QARI)
QARI’s mission is to foster and improve the social, cultural, economic and civic lives of immigrants and their families in order to benefit Quincy and its neighboring communities. Through collaborations and partnerships, we provide culturally competent services, such as workforce development, adult education programs, youth development, and cultural events as well as information and referrals to public or other community organizations. https://quincyasianresources.org/
The work these organizations do – from domestic violence services in 18 languages to affordable housing to grassroots organizing for immigrant rights – reflects the breadth and depth of AANHPI communities across Massachusetts. They show up for their communities not just in May, but every single day.
MIRA is grateful to stand alongside them. If you want to support this work, we encourage you to visit their websites, follow them on social media, volunteer, and donate if you are able. Together, we build a stronger Massachusetts for all.