Mission: All people have a right to a clean and healthy environment in which their communities can live, work, learn, play and thrive. Towards this vision, apen brings together a collective voice to develop an alternative agenda for environmental, social and economic justice. Through building an organized movement, we strive to bring fundamental changes to economic and social institutions that will prioritize public good over profits and promote the right of every person to a decent, safe, affordable quality of life, and the right to participate in decisions affecting our lives. Apen holds this vision of environmental justice for all people. Our work focuses on asian and pacific islander communities.
Programs: Oakland programapen's oakland staff and local members led the grassroots campaign to protect oakland chinatown renters from unchecked development and decreased affordable housing. Our members connected with local allies and together led the campaign for tenant protections in oakland. We maintained our role as a member of the community choice aggregation for the east bay and advocated for equity in energy. We put on the annual apen academy and nearly 50 events for local community members. Our leadership development efforts educated local members about public speaking, civic engagement, strategic campaign analyses, and multi-racial alliance building.
state organizing projectapen worked with our allies statewide to educate decision makers and the general public about the need for local pollution reduction, expansion of the renewable energy industry that benefits low-income communities as consumers and workers, access to affordable housing and tenants' rights, and increased resources in disadvantaged communities for climate solution projects. We continued our leadership of the apen-founded statewide alliance - asian pacific american climate coalition in addition to other strategic coalitions. California continues to be a leader in equitable climate solutions thanks to the work of apen and our allies.
richmond programapen's richmond team continued to lead the fight against fossil fuel emissions and economic inequity in the city of richmond. We put on the 4th annual "our power festival" and engaged local youth in planning and running festival activities. We grew our youth leadership program and put on apen academy for youth in the summer. Our student leaders participated in nonpartisan voter outreach and advocated for their family's needs. With our allies we formed cooperation richmond - a cooperative incubator for local entrepreneurs and loan fund. Apen and our local members and allies continued to educate local regulators about the need to decrease harmful emissions from the local refinery.
One of the first things I did when I moved to Oakland was to find ways to volunteer for APEN. I was drawn both by the individualized support to help people in the neighborhood, as well as the policy changes they are fighting for to protect those same people over the long-term. Since becoming a volunteer for the organization, I have found APEN to be both of those things – plus so much more! When I am out in the neighborhood and people ask me what I do for fun, I am proud to say I volunteer with APEN. APEN is really making a difference in the lives of people impacted by issues of environmental health and injustice. It has been an honor to volunteer alongside staff so passionate about bettering the lives of others.
As a recurring donor, I feel confident knowing that every donation I make to APEN is going to an organization that does so much work to make real change. APEN’s staff and members boldly articulate a vision for a better world and have the skills and passion to make it happen. I don't know of any other organization that’s such a powerhouse on state and local policy and is also so deeply rooted and connected to its members and the community. Being a donor to APEN gives me a tangible connection to their work of building the future we need.
I have been an APEN member for 14 years. To get something done you have to get the right people to work together at the right time at the right place. APEN does that. APEN’s work is powerful and important. Since 1993 APEN has been fighting for the rights of low income communities in the East Bay. I do not know any other organization doing this work in my community.
