Our Values
Advocacy
We organize in solidarity with AAPI partners and multiracial community members to advocate for more just systems and policies that build power for our community in greater Malden. Advocacy is integrated throughout all our programs to enhance access to resources, services, and cultural programming, while advancing civic engagement, dignity, and overall quality of life.
Voting Rights
Along with a coalition of other AAPI organizations, we work with the City of Malden to ensure all Malden residents, especially our limited English-proficiency population, can access their voting rights. Due to the collaborative efforts of the City of Malden and our coalition, we have collectively improved language access for residents.
Malden’s Transliteration Law, which asks for candidates’ names to be transliterated into Chinese, is a huge win for our community!
Civic Engagement
Civic engagement activities, such as town hall meetings and community planning sessions, empower residents to have a say in the future of their neighborhoods. This active participation in local governance not only enhances the democratic process but also ensures that community needs and concerns are addressed.
In partnership with other local organizations, and along with local city government, we have organized several bilingual candidate forums, supported with voter registration drives, and more:
2020 Multilingual Malden Schools Reopening Community Forum
2023 City of Malden Language Access Forum
2023 Malden Mayor Candidates Forum
Supported 2023 National Voter Registration Day events
2024 Candidates & Ballot Questions Community Forums
Participated in poll monitoring on Election Day
Racial Equity & Solidarity
We work with local groups and leaders to advocate for equity and racial justice. Past work has included public education, including vigils and protests, on anti-Asian racism and violence; youth forums on Black and Asian solidarity; and equity in the education system. Our Youth Organizing Group actively engages in conversation and action on these topics.
Community Health and Wellness
Community health and wellness are essential and a core value of our programming. We focus on culturally specific issues and engage youth, families, and elders in improving their own individual and collective well-being.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Empowerment Project
Participating Organizations:
Our Ping Pong Club and Hua Xia Multi Arts Group are a part of our work for the AAPI Empowerment Project.
AAPI Empowerment Project and Project RISE are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services
Youth Project for Asian Wellness (YPAW)
Youth also ideate and create projects that address the social and emotional needs of Asian American youth in Malden, as well as for a way for youth to improve the wellness conditions of their own communities.
Public Health Outreach
We previously collaborated with several organizations, including the MA Department of Public Health, Malden Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and Ward 3 City Councillor Amanda Linehan to provide culturally relevant COVID-19 vaccine access and awareness. We sent out language-specific mailers, provided COVID-19 tests, and hosted a number of vaccine clinics.