Asian Immigrant Women Advocates Inc

Programs: Leadership programs:leadership programs include introductory, intermediary and advanced leadership training sessions, committee involvement, event planning, and public speaking engagements. Programs also provide intensive leadership opportunities for immigrant women and youth to build their skills and confidence, while reinvesting their collective efforts back into low-income immigrant and other disadvantaged communities. In 2017, aiwa leaders successfully planned and coordinated multiple leadership program efforts. Experienced leaders prepared 16 new peer trainers to conduct outreach and deliver slip & fall prevention trainings for 289 asian immigrant workers. Ten women and youth were invited to give presentations and lectures at community meetings and university classrooms. Almost 30 immigrant women leaders advanced their administrative and program skills by participating in committees and peer leader opportunities. Over 200 community members attended the year-end event, which featured holiday gifts for low-income children, a recap of aiwas accomplishments during the year and lively performances. Aiwas core group of 12 youth leaders planned and coordinated an intensive 15-week leadership training program for 17 immigrant youth. The youth developed facilitation, training, presentation and fundraising skills while learning about immigration and american social movement history. Aiwas youth program celebrated its 20th anniversary with a graduation celebration and alumni reunion. Alumni representing almost all of the programs years, attended and enjoyed reconnecting with aiwa and meeting the current youth leaders. Recognitions from local and state elected officials were presented at the reunion as well.

educational programs:educational programs include english literacy classes and specifically themed educational workshops related to the immigrant experience. English literacy classes are team taught by peer teachers (immigrant women leaders) and volunteers (primarily local college or graduate students). Classes focus on basic workers rights, survival english, current events, and the experiences of immigrant women. In 2017, over 60 immigrant women enrolled in literacy classes; 50 immigrants participated in an educational trip to china camp to learn about early chinese immigration history to the bay area; and 110 immigrants participated in current event educational workshops.

civic engagement:civic engagement programs include conducting community surveys, issue identification, issue-based peer training, and collaboration with other groups to enrich democratic processes and develop concrete and innovative solutions to issues of concern. In 2017, twelve home care workers organized a town hall meeting with alameda county social services staff to advocate for improved language access for the countys over 3000 home care workers. Representatives for the county pledged their support to find solutions to these challenges. Aiwa also worked with the south asian community on health & safety trainings and a needs assessment survey. The survey was conducted among 150 south asian immigrant women to identify issues of concern among recent immigrant communities. Survey results indicate a very close-knit community with higher poverty rates, which provided valuable insights into potential future collaborative activities and efforts.