Exploring #UnitedThroughLOVE
This February, CPAF continued building upon the United Through Love campaign and how it may engage others in prevention, intervention, and awareness-raising activities. The campaign’s approach of first focusing inward and then expanding engagement to community, friends, and chosen family, is intended to spark courageous conversations in API communities around violence and reducing the stigma and shame survivors face. Internally, CPAF staff discussed what words they associate with friendship, love, and self-love, and how love may counter violence.
Throughout the month, CPAF also explored how to honor and celebrate other communities in meaningful ways throughout the year. While CPAF celebrated Black History Month, we also recommitted ourselves to the roots of CPAF’s Racial Justice Committee and reflected on its mission and purpose. Read on to see the rest of CPAF’s highlights from the month!
Honoring Black History Month
In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, and the protests and racial discrimination incidents that took place across the country, CPAF staff felt the need to create a space within the organization to not only dialogue about what was happening, but also initiate conversations on CPAF's role in anti-racism work. The Racial Justice Committee (RJC) was formed.
In 2021, the RJC developed a Statement of Mission and Purpose. Members of the RJC discussed priorities and directions for the organization in committing to becoming an antiracist organization. The following three goals of the committee were created:
1. Raise awareness across CPAF (including of organization-wide staff and clients) of actions and beliefs that perpetuate racism and oppression within the organization and toward other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities;
2. Raise awareness about what antiracism is and take steps to create an antiracist system/environment within CPAF;
3. Set standards and expectations for staff, volunteers, interns and key stakeholders in the communities regarding what to expect in an antiracist organization.
CPAF is committed to doing the long-term work of implementing equitable practices and policies within the organization, as well as having open and honest conversations with partner agencies about how we can advance anti-racist work together.
Engaging Youth in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
This past month, peer counseling students at San Gabriel High School organized a lunch time event called “Love is Respect” to share resources for those encountering dating violence and raise awareness of healthy relationships.
Many students took the Love Language Quiz and received different colored bracelets depending on their results. As they sported their bracelets around campus, other students wanted to know where they got their bracelets!
Another activity included writing down what love and respect look like on a post-it note and putting it up on a board. By the end, there were 80 post-it notes!
Students who participated in an activity were entered into a raffle drawing with prizes including gift cards to Starbucks and Target, as well as pencil and art kits.
CPAF has been working with SGHS’ Peer Counseling 2 class for over three years, implementing weekly lessons around dating violence and sexual assault. During TDVAM and SAAM, CPAF supports the class in planning campaign activities to raise awareness to peers and staff on campus, from facilitating planning sessions to providing activity materials.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CPAF staff have not been allowed to meet with students on campus. SGHS students and teachers have done an amazing job of putting together a creative and fun event, while educating the campus community about teen dating violence!
Congratulations, Patima!
We are proud to share that CPAF’s Shelter Program Director, Patima Komolamit, has been selected as the first API woman to sit on the State Advisory Committee (SAC) to represent Rape Crisis Centers (RCCs) in California!
Chosen by the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Patima is part of an elite group of eleven individuals recommending public policies and legislation to the California Governer’s Office.
Considering that historically sexual assault agencies receive lower funding, we are excited to see Patima bring her years of experience with CPAF and its pioneering work in both domestic violence and sexual assault into this role as an advocate for the community. We wish her well on her new journey!
To learn more about the State Advisory Committee (SAC) click here: Who is SAC?
Volunteers Needed
We cannot do this work without you! Many of our staff started as volunteers enabling us to continue providing in-language services and holistic programs with their skills and talents. Join us!
Currently we are seeking volunteers who speak or write: Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Both virtual and on-site opportunities are available.
For more information contact volunteer@cpaf.info, or you can directly fill out a volunteer form on our website by clicking here: Become a volunteer!
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. We are planning for an exciting year ahead and invite you to continue sharing about CPAF with others and finding ways to join us #UnitedThroughLove!