4. AMA seeks Cultural Brokers to support our state-wide Vaccination Effort

5. Vaccination pop-up event at the Lyft Open House

Program Updates

Envisioning a Successful Appreciation Night at Sept. 11

The upcoming Sept. 11 Frontline Heroes' Appreciation Night (see above announcements) at the Union Depot to be held by a group of Asian Pacific Minnesotans along with other organizations and agencies has garnered wide support, with two key sponsors being the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) and Fischer Media.

MN Nurses Association has sent out invite to 100+ nurses to join the event, they also donated $10,000 to support this good cause. MNA President Mary Turner will come and share her ICU nurse experience in caring of COVID-19 patients. Mary has been selected to serve on the national Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. She is the only Registered Nurse to serve on this advisory board to advise the White House on how to ensure all Americans have access to COVID-19 resources. To show our appreciation, the Planning Committee has decided to give categorized award to recognize all nurses at different levels:

1. Hospital Personnel, Doctors, Nurses and ICU/ER/Floor Nurses who selflessly cared for COVID patients.

2.Transitional Care Units, and Nursing Home Nurses, Nurses Aides, Food Service, Housekeeping that support the medical cares.

3. Home Care Nurses and CNAs.

4. Public Health Nurses and CNAs.

5. Nurse Practitioners staffing at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, and associated personnel.

6. Nurses and other medical personnel who died from COVID.

In addition to MNA's support, Fischer Media is also lending its acclaimed documentary series, ‘Covid Confessions’ to be shown at the event night. Director Alec Fischer tells everyday workers’ personal pandemic stories through their challenges and struggles. Interviewing 75 Minnesotans, many of whom are frontline workers. Director Fischer creates a space for the viewers that mirrors the intimacy of a confessional.  

Domenica, an emergency room nurse, is featured in "Covid Confessions." Fischr Media photo

In one interview, Fischer mentioned few drag performers
would often work in the restaurants too, for supplemental income. With the pandemic, however, neither of those options are as viable.  “It’s like the ripple effects throughout every industry are connected and I wanted to, through the episodes, maybe help people see that,” Fischer said.

He will be featured in our event, along with those astounding testimonies.  

Check out our event at https://www.apiamnappreciates.org/  Please join us to say - THANK YOU to these heroes, we come this far, all because of them!

AMA August 2021 Vaccination Events 

Community Center Health Center, Hennepin County, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Food Group to successfully provide vaccinations across the community.

hich will be necessary to mitigate the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic for underserved populations. AMA has expanded the availability of free testing and vaccination for COVID-19 by connecting with key influencers in the Hmong, Karen, and Karenni communities. The news spread fast within each of their own communities and networks.

On July 31, AMA participated at the Hmong Community day in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Two hundred and sixty-seven people attended this event in total. Of those who attended, twenty-seven were vaccinated that day with the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Most of the families who participated in this event identified as Hmong. 

Following the Hmong Community Day, AMA hosted a weekend of vaccinations on August 21 and August 22, 2021, in Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul. Since the vaccination events were held on a weekend, parents and family members were able to attend without concerns of missing work. Those who work during business hours are unable to visit clinics or vaccination sites that operate during business hours Monday through Friday. In addition, families do not have to worry about costs, insurance, transportation, or language barriers. AMA provided many resources to minimize the obstacles that may impact individuals. In addition to free vaccinations, interpreters and Lyft rides were available upon request.

On August 21, 50 people attended the event, and eighteen received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. Most of the individuals vaccinated identified as Karenni and/or as seniors.

On August 22, 289 people participated at the Hmong Shaman Open house, and eighteen people were vaccinated. 

During these three events, AMA helped those sign up for Hennepin County’s vaccination incentive. Those who received their first dose from July 30-August 22, 2021 were given $100. In addition, AMA also provided an extra $25 incentive, masks, hand sanitizer, canned and non-perishables, fresh groceries, 25 lb rice bag, and COVID-19 testing kits. 

Some COVID-19 variants spread faster, including the delta variant. The vaccination is highly effective in reducing severe infection and preventing hospitalization. Please consider the COVID-19 vaccination if you have not been vaccinated, and please continue to practice standard precautions, especially as we enter Fall and the cooler weather that come with the seasonal flu. AMA will continue to host COVID-19 vaccinations events, protect yourself, family, friends, and community. 

Youth Spotlight

Jed Liang joined the Asian Media Access Multimedia Program in 2021. The program consists of hands-on experience in video production. Youth expand their skill sets in various avenues such as animation, writing, graphic design, and social media management. 

This program also incorporates teachings about pressing issues such as COVID-19 vaccinations, Mental Health, and Problem Gambling. Knowing that these topics are intricate and cumbersome, Liang focused on creating informative and straightforward content that is easy to understand and digest. Relatable content was especially imperative for Liang’s targeted younger audience. Liang found creative ways to personalize the information to capture the proper audience attention.

A critical part of this program was developing technical and creative skills through video production and postcards. Youth were encouraged to come up with persuasive messages and preventative measures for their audience. During this program, Liang discovered the benefits of using different languages in the messages. Liang says, “I love mixing languages in my designs because it adds a level of uniqueness and variability to your work. Even though it's much more difficult, the appreciation you feel towards your end product is certainly enhanced”. The topics focused in the Multimedia program are essential issues that need to reach multiple communities, but not everyone can understand the content if it is just offered in English. By utilizing more than one language, Liang is able to reach a more comprehensive audience range while also creating unique designs. This approach benefits communities with a bicultural-driven approach: being able to embrace diversity within the community.

Not only was this program an opportunity to develop technical skills, it was also a chance to work with others of similar backgrounds. Liang Says, “I've learned a ton from my teammates. Looking at the work they've produced gives me tremendous insight for the various perspectives that exist on the many important issues we continue to face throughout society. They've challenged me to expand my viewpoints, and have helped me develop more unbiased responses”. It is extremely important to connect and interact with people who share similar lived experiences; this provides further empathy, compassion, awareness, and understanding, especially for the community. 

Throughout this experience, youth have a place to enhance their communication skills, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and explore their career interests. In the future, Liang is interested in studying environmental engineering and continues to refine his video production skills he has gained during his free time.

Community News

Camden Farmers Market

Apply Now for a Small Business Grant: AAPISTRONG Proudly Unstoppable Fund

Webinars for Campus Communities Responding to Hate Crimes

TOPIC: DOJ Hate Crimes Prevention and Response Resources for Campuses Webinar (for campus law enforcement)

DATE/TIME:  Friday, September 17, 2021, 3:00pm EDT
PLACE: Online, Register Here
TOPIC: DOJ Hate Crimes Prevention and Response Resources for Campuses Webinar (for administrators and educational organizations)

As students return to campus this fall amid a rise in bias incidents and hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and a year of heightened racial tensions, hate crimes are likely a concern for administrators, students, and campus law enforcement.

To help campus leaders address these concerns, the U.S. Department of Justice will be hosting two webinars on strategies for addressing and preventing hate crimes in campus communities.

These webinars will provide an overview of services available and conversations with administrators, law enforcement, and students about how these services benefited their campus communities.

For more information or to register, visit https://www.justice.gov/crs/highlights/hate-crimes-webinar-colleges-universities

COVID-19 vaccine - Pfizer or Moderna

K-Move Welcome Back Event

Upcoming Webinar on Digital Skills in Refugee Integration

Northpoint Community Food Shelf 

Don’t miss Free Fresh Food Fridays this summer! Tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, community resources, and more. Select Fridays now through September at the corner of Plymouth & Oliver. Rain or shine, 9:30 a.m. until supplies run out!
Monthly food supply - Several day supply of food once per calendar month
Non-food items -  Miscellaneous nonfood items with food request
Baby food/diapers - Several day supply of baby food and/or diapers, with a food request

For COVID-19 safety, you are encouraged to remain in your vehicle and masks are required.

For more info, call 612-767-9500 or visit https://www.northpointhealth.org/community-food-shelf.
 

MN International Chinese School

Hindu American Temple School

Twin Cities Virtual Hiring Event

DATE/TIME:

Phase II Site Dedication and Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Celebration

• 9:45am Phase II Site Dedication
  • Hmong Plaza Dedication
  • Launch of Phase II Community Engagement Process
  • 9 Art Stone Unveiling Ceremony
  • Voices of the Garden Poetry Reading and Awards
• 4:30 pm Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Celebration
  • Traditional Chinese Costumes Display
  • Mooncake Tasting
  • Songs and Music
  • Model Catwalk Demonstrations
  • Xiang Jiang Pavilion Photo Time

The Night Market

Night Markets are a part of daily life and entertainment across Asia, and we're bringing it to Rochester!

Virtual Course Offers Newcomer Health Training to Clinicians and Interpreters

The Two Koreas - Free Global Conversations

Pivoting to the Future: Opportunity, Complexity, and Working Together

Wells Fargo Beyond College: 2021 Webinar Series 
 

Harvesting the Fruit of Our Ancestors

Health Clinic at Sikh Society of MN

PLACE: Hindu Temple of Minnesota, 10530 Troy Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Join us at our resumed in-person health clinics! They are free, do not require preregistration, and open to all. Walk-ins only! No preregistration required. You will need to fill out a form upon arrival with your name, phone, ZIP code, and services you wish to receive.

Free, confidential consultations and referrals with a physician are available. Other services available are:
Blood pressure testing, Blood glucose testing BMI testing, Cholesterol testing (nominal charges apply), A1C testing (nominal charges apply)

A Look at the Future of Food: World Food Day Symposium