Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC to Support Community-Based Groups through $250,000 Grant from Google.org
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Washington, D.C. – March 15, 2023 — Today, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) is excited to announce a grant from Google.org to distribute $50,000 each to five community-based organizations for the purpose of providing digital skills and job readiness training in their communities. The organizations selected represent communities across the United States from Seattle, Washington to New York City, New York, and they were chosen for their history of providing successful digital skills and workforce development programs in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
As internet access becomes even more essential for communities to thrive, Advancing Justice – AAJC, a national nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and underserved allied communities, and Google.org know that digital skills and job readiness remain a challenge for many underserved AAPI communities.
“Advancing Justice – AAJC is proud to work with Google.org in support of local AAPI-serving organizations who are working to help bridge the gap in digital skills within their communities,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Local organizations with deep trust from their communities are most attuned to the needs on the ground, and with the right resources, can address current challenges with solutions that enable their communities to thrive. Digital skills are essential in today’s professional environment, and we will continue our work to address the digital divide and ensure that our communities are set up for success.”
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical importance of internet access and digital skills. It is clear that today’s jobs increasingly require digital skills training and that many opportunities will remain online. Several Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations have piloted and expanded their job training programs to include digital skills as a critical first step, but a lack of adequate resources, including funding, proper software/hardware, and limited staff time can hinder the growth of these programs.
The following are the beneficiary organizations serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Arab American Association of New York
Arab American Association of New York (AAANY), a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn, New York, supports and empowers the Arab American and Arab immigrant community by providing services to help them adjust to their new home and become active members of society. AAANY additionally offers a workforce development program that includes resume coaching, job interviewing workshops, career exploration, and digital skills training.
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ARCS), a Seattle nonprofit organization grounded in social justice, provides services that advance the health, well-being, dignity and empowerment of Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other communities experiencing disparities in health, human services and education. ACRS's digital skills classes provide participants with essential computer and internet skills, technical resources, and one-on-one coaching in a culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible environment.
Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan
Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan (APIA Vote MI), a nonprofit organization in Hamtramck, Michigan, is a pan-Asian American organization committed to justice and equity for the Asian American community through grassroots mobilization, civic engagement, leadership development, and coalition building. APIA Vote MI additionally offers a job placement program that includes in-language digital skills classes covering basic computer skills, technical software training, and interviewing and workplace culture courses.
Boat People SOS – Houston (BPSOS-Houston), a nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas, provides social and legal services to empower, organize, and equip immigrant communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity. BPSOS-Houston additionally offers basic computer skills courses and job search workshops.
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), a nonprofit organization in Seattle, Washington, preserves and promotes the dignity, well-being, and quality of life of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPNHPIs) as they age. NAPCA additionally offers courses in basic computer skills and professional development designed for the elderly community.
Together, these organizations offer services that focus on underserved and marginalized Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the United States, ensuring that these communities have equal opportunities to access professional opportunities online, improve their digital skills, and are able fully participate in today’s digital economy.