Volunteer Experience
2018-2020
NAPAWF
I served on the leaders board of the NYC Chapter of National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF). NAPAWF works to advance social justice and human rights for Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls living in New York City.
During my term, we restructured chapter operations and developed the NYC Chapter to be the largest chapter in the country. In less than two years, we tripled the membership of AAPI women who are civically engaged in community organizing and policy advocacy.
I created and produced our signature monthly community events, The Study Group, a dedicated space to thoughtfully unpack issues that affect our community, to learn and unlearn, and organize collective action. Past events included an analysis of the effects of detention and deportation of Southeast Asian community members and their families, an introduction to how the model minority hinders true economic justice for AAPI women, and a spotlight on AAPI LBGTQ activism.
We leveraged the growing community to pressure the New York City Council to pass Resolution 920, which required partnering with other non-profits, local representatives and Women's Caucus, institutions, and media. We also provided training for new members to partake in NAPAWF’s national campaign to pass the HEAL for Immigrant Families Act.
2014-2017
CAAAV
CAAAV is a pan-Asian grassroots organization that works to build the power of low-income Asian immigrants and refugees in NYC. They develop leadership in Asian communities to impact the policies and institutions that affect their lives and to participate in a broader movement for racial and economic justice.
Being part of CAAAV’s Fundraising Committee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. We were guided by the principle that grassroots fundraising is essential to base-building, organizing, and the autonomy of community organizations. We built out CAAAV’s capacity through projects including, but not limited to, community events and fundraising campaigns.
Putting the "fun" back in Fundraisers
From dance-a-thons to karaoke battles, the fundraising committee organizes fun, safe, inclusive community events to fundraise for CAAAV.
The fundraising committee coordinates all the publicity and communications, organizes the structure of the events, and executes the coordination for various events. We consistently raised 25% more in overall donations per year since 2014.
30th Anniversary
In the last 30 years, CAAAV has challenged individual to systemic forms of violence against Asian Americans. Our programs have ranged from housing displacement to police brutality, and many programs have grown into successful independent organizations.
The fundraising committee helped coordinate 30th Anniversary with a gala that raised an amount that was greater than the total donations raised in 2015.
PP10k
The People Powered $10k is a fundraising campaign that activates the collective power of our friends, families, and social networks to raise $10,000 towards racial and economic justice in NYC. The idea is really simple: if 100 of us ask 10 each of our friends to give $10 each over 10 days, we’ll raise $10,000.
The fundraising committee recruits participants, conducts training and hands-on mentorship. In 2016, we raised 16k, 36% above goal.
2016
I was part of Civic Hall's second flight of its Delta.NYC program, an effort for the organization to cultivate an ecosystem of pro bono tech. The program leverages tech industry talent to bring professional digital services to nonprofits looking to further their missions who could not afford to do so otherwise.
Rooftop Films is an organization that doesn't just screen wonderfully independent movies in kick-ass outdoor locations, but they help filmmakers to produce new films and rent equipment at low-cost to artists and non-profits. I impressed myself with the number of chairs I can lift, greeted and directed attendees, and helped with set-up and breakdown.
OTHER VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
I've also done my fair share of time at public libraries (I can sort books by Dewey AND Library of Congress-- super sexy, I know), advocating for food co-ops, registering and mobilizing voters, organizing cultural community events, helping out at soup kitchens and park clean-ups, etc.
If you need a hand, let me know how I can help.