Several Indian-American organizations in New York to receive state funding

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Following a spate of hate crimes and violence against Asian-Americans, New York Governor Kathy Hochul followed through on her promise to support Asian Americans.

Noting that Asian Americans have been ‘too long forgotten,” Gov. Hochul, on Feb. 20, 2022, announced $10 million in awards for organizations providing services to these communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and hate crimes.

Several Indian-American groups are in the list released by the Governor’s office Feb. 20, 2022. Among several organizations included is Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice; Chhaya Community Development Corporation; Jahajee Sisters; Desis Rising Up And Moving (DRUM); Sakhi for South Asian Women; Sikh Coalition; South Asian Youth Action, and others.

The following is the complete list of organizations that will receive aid from AAF:

• A Place for Kids
• Academy of Medical & Public Health Services
• Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice
• Arab American Association of New York
• Arab-American Family Support Center
• Asian American Arts Alliance
• Asian American Community Empowerment
• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Asian Americans for Equality
• Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs
• Bridges From Borders
• Brooklyn Chinese-American Association
• Brooklyn Community Improvement Association
• Burmese Community Services
• Caribbean Equality Project
• Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans
• Chhaya Community Development Corporation
• Chinatown Partnership LDC
• Chinatown YMCA
• Chinese American IPA
• Chinese American Social Services Center
• Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
• Chinese Progressive Association
• Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health
• CMP
• Council of Peoples Organization
• Damayan Migrant Workers Association
• Desis Rising Up and Moving
• Garden of Hope
• Hamilton-Madison House
• Homecrest Community Services
• Immigrant Social Services
• India Home
• Jahajee Sisters
• Japanese American Association of New York
• Japanese American Social Services, Inc.
• Karen Society of Buffalo
• Korean American Family Service Center
• Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
• Laal NYC
• Mekong Center NYC
• Midtown Utica Community Center
• Migrant Center
• MinKwon Center
• Refugees Helping Refugees
• Sakhi for South Asian Women
• Sapna NYC
• Sikh Coalition
• South Asian Council for Social Service
• South Asian Youth Action
• Turning Point for Women and Families
• United Chinese Association of Brooklyn
• Womankind (formerly NYAWC)
• Women for Afghan Women
• YWCA of Queens

This will be the largest investment in the Asian American community in New York State history, the press release from the Governor’s office said.

The funding, allocated in the FY 2021-22 budget, will be distributed to community-based groups through the Asian American Federation (AAF), the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), and the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), as well as other organizations.

There will be a focus on community programs and providers that bring services and supportive programs directly to New York’s Asian American communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on so many vulnerable and marginalized communities across New York State,” Governor Hochul is quoted saying in the press release. “The Asian American community was especially hard hit, not only by the virus, but by an increase in hate and violent crimes. With this $10 million in funding, we are sending a strong message that hate has no home here, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers in the Asian American community. My administration is laser focused on continuing to help communities that have for too long been forgotten, not only as we recover from this pandemic, but for years to come.”

The Asian American Federation (AAF) will receive a total of $6.8 million in funding intended to reinforce the community support offered by a network of organizations that have witnessed a sudden increase in demand for services due to the pandemic. AAF will direct the funding to 59 community organizations listed above that provide direct services, case management, and mental health support that serve Asian New Yorkers throughout New York State. In addition, the New York State Assembly is directing $1.4 million in Legislative aid to another 40 organizations that serve a wide array of communities in New York.

The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families will receive over $1 million, and they will be partnering with a host of organizations to enhance youth and young adult services targeting Asian American communities by focusing on social emotional development and mental well-being.

“The AAPI community has been the target of relentless hatred, bigotry, and violence for the last two years, and we desperately need resources that would address the root cause of these attacks,” said State Sen. John Liu. “While we are grateful to see the implementation of last year’s $10 million budget allocation, the siege against Asian Americans continues unabated, as does our need for additional resources. We must address a range of needs such as community safety, services for youth and senior citizens, mental health support for Asian New Yorkers, and the implementation of AAPI curriculum in public schools.”

Among several other leaders of various organizations, the press release quoed Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, who said the funds would be used to fsupport innovative healing-centered programs for youth, crisis intervention, and developing fa curriculum to support young people’s healthy sense of self, community connection and belonging, and self-agency.