Nominations for the AAA Awards Program 2008
March 10, 2008
by Claire Postma, AAA Committee Vice-Chair

ASIAN CENTER

2008 AMAZING ASIANS AWARDS FORM AND GUIDELINES

 

DEADLINE MAY 2, 2008

 

INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION BEING NOMINATED: __________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE _____________________________________   EMAIL ________________________________

 

NOMINATOR INFORMATION:

 

RELATIONSHIP TO THE ABOVE INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION

_________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE _____________________________________________ EMAIL ________________________

 

NOMINATION GUIDELINE:

1. Use one form for each person or organization being nominated.
2. Include a narrative on your nominee’s contribution as it relates to the criteria below (you may want to consult with the nominee and others to be sure you are including all activities and accomplishments).
3. Using the criteria below, please address all areas individually and title each section.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. OUTREACH – The activity or involvement in the Asian community is an outreach to improve working or living conditions affecting Asian Americans and the general population; beyond the regular duties of their position in an organization or organizational activity within the Asian community. 
2. CROSS-CULTURAL – The person or organization is or has been involved in activities with other cultural communities besides their own Asian community and embraces cultural diversity.
3. LEADERSHIP - The person or organization is recognized as a respected leader in the Asian community and have direct people-to-people relationship with the Asian community.

 

MAIL OR E-MAIL THIS FORM AND NARRATIVE TO:

The Asian Center

1444 Michigan NE

Grand Rapids MI 49503

 

E-mail: info@asian-center.org  

If you have any questions, feel free to call:

Telephone:  616-301-3987

As the 2007 year draws to an end
November 29, 2007
by Douglas Chung

November 29, 2007

 

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As the year of 2007 draws to an end, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this very special community-based agency, The Asian Center. I have been privileged to be in social work education and practice for four decades and I have never before seen such an active community participation serving voluntarily on an annual operational basis. Especially, everyone in the Asian community from community leaders, helping professionals, staff, volunteers, students and board-- have done their part, and the results benefit us all through the year.  

This is an exciting year after our Asian community needs assessment in 2006 for many reasons. First, our second generation, our Asian students are constantly pursuing their fullest potential in academics, volunteer services, and many of them are studying in the top ten universities. Second, our Asian women and men, professionals as well as housewives have already formed and contributed to an Asian service network in AsianCenter’s Day Camp, Amazing Asian Awards (AAA) fund raising, health services, home visits, elderly clubs as chair, committee members and volunteers in their leadership in responding to the community needs. Third, our Asian organizations as well as their individual members are forming a systemic service network to coordinate various services that helping each other for our common needs and services such as assisting individuals who run into difficulties, hunger walk for food program, health and social services. Fourth, many of our Asian store owners dedicated their stores to be smoke free to protect their customers to be free from second hand smoke, and many of them donate food and/or cash to support the AsianCenter for its services. Fifth, many of our Asian groups have established the elderly club to provide services to isolated elderly who are suffering from physical, social and cultural isolation. Many of our elderly do not even have any health insurance. Sixth, Asian college students are planning to have the second intercampus reception that we can network with various Asian college students with various Asian community leaders, cultural groups, thus, we can collectively carry our influence from one generation to another. I hope you share my pride that the Asian Center, in terms of these exemplary activities and the volunteers who pursue excellence in the Asian values, and apply them in the field to respond to our common community needs.

The AsianCenter continues to undergo improvement and change. Currently we have just received a two year grant (total $51,600) from Network 180 for providing Cultural Competence Provider Staff training for culturally sensitive mental health services to Asian Americans. Under the grant, the AsianCenter will provide culturally sensitive mental health training to Network 180’s professionals in the first year and train Asian community leaders in the second year. In addition, the AsianCenter’s Community Food Program provides Asians with temporary emergency food needs. The Day Camp program continues to integrate learning and living in ways that are unique in Asian cultures for the parents and their children to share their stories.

 

Any group which would like to organize a summer camp program can apply for a mini-grant from the Asian Center.  These groups may utilize the current campsite free of charge, and should contact the Asian Center now to schedule for the summer of 2008. The Asian Hour Program and other many possible programs are looking for volunteer directors to plan and implement the programs to respond to our community needs. We are still looking for a larger space to carry our constantly growing energy therapy classes, workshops, classrooms, staff office, student study space and elderly social place. We continue in our pursuit of an independent building to be our “Asian Community Home”  our highest home making priority.

As we enter the holiday season and approach the New Year, I would like to send warm wishes to you and your family. And, thank you again for all you do to help make AsianCenter great.

Very respectfully yours,

 

 

Douglas K. Chung, LMSW, MA, Ph.D.

Executive Director

The Asian Center

Asian Health Fair 2007
October 22, 2007
by Douglas Chung

The 3rd Asian Amazing Award (AAA) Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. We will again be honoring those Asians who have outstanding service to the community. Please join us in nominating a community leader, volunteering to help, as well as attending this annual fundraising event. 

 

After the Asian Needs Assessment in 2006, the Asian Center has started to respond to its various needs through various programs. These programs include: Day camp for youth and parents, Evergreen Club elderly program, Asian College Student Reception.

 

Our first annual Asian Americans Health Fair was on Sept. 29, 2007, which served 160 people with 95 volunteers including physicians, nurses, social workers, massage therapists, medical students, minister, and 1.5 staff. The Asian Center is now distributing food coupons to Asians that qualify for emergency need.

 

We provide family counseling to various families, such as inter-racial marriage couples, international adoption families, families with mental health, legal, marital, generation gap, etc. issues. We promote culturally sensitive health, human services, and legal services through workshops and presentations. We have developed different culturally sensitive service models and energy therapies for health and human development. The Asian Center also provides an employee assistance program and other developmental programs for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and the general public in West Michigan. Thank you.

 

Douglas Chung, MSW, MA, Ph.D., LMSW

Executive Director of the Asian Center

Photo from Asian Health Fair, Doug Chung and Mike Zhang 2007

Healthy Asian Americans Project

American Liver Foundation

Organ and Tissue Donation

Grand Rapids Police Officer Robert Kozminski
July 11, 2007
by Douglas Chung

Dear Asian volunteers, friends, & leaders:

Due to the fact: the Asian community has experienced domestic violence and other acts of violence in the past. A recent news article explains the Grand Rapids Police Officer Robert Kozminski, was killed in the line of duty. His job was to assist in a domestic violence case. Please read the obituary from Mlive.com:

"Robert A. Kozminski

Officer Robert A. Kozminski, aged 29, of Grand Rapids, beloved father, son, brother, uncle and grandson gave his life in the line of duty Sunday, July 8, 2007 protecting those he served.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2510 Richmond St. NW. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday and Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church where a Vigil Service will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to "Donations for the Benefit of Kailey Kozminski" care of any National City Bank."

 

We should all show a presence and support for the police department who also are struggling every day with violence in our community. It is important, since many people will attend these services, to arrive early. You may reach me at (616)331-6559 or (616)301-3987.

Thank you,

Douglas Chung, MSW, MA, Ph.D., LMSW

Executive Director

THE ASIAN CENTER

Please go to MLive.com below, you may write in the guestbook:

Asian Community Response to the Hai Vo Incident
June 21, 2007
by Douglas Chung

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Persons:        Alice Kennedy, Asian Victims Relief Fund  (Photograph attached)

616-856-1482 (phone), 616-698-0558 (fax)

                                    kmrkennedy@aol.com (e-mail)

Christina Fong, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress

616-235-0284 (phone)

cfong@christinafong.com

ASIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS DISTRAUGHT OVER LATEST FINDINGS ON HAI VO CASE

Grand Rapids, Michigan June 19, 2007- In response to the June 14, 2007 Grand Rapids Press article, “Fight Victim Not Innocent Bystander,” several representative from Asian organizations met Sunday evening, June 17, to voice their concerns and demand immediate clarification from the authorities and media. Hai Vo was assaulted in the early morning hours of Nov. 12, 2006 outside The B.O.B. which left him critically injured and in a coma for several weeks. According to the Grand Rapids Press article, the Grand Rapids Police reported that Hai Vo was "more of an aggressor than he now recollects” and that no charges will be filed based on the results of the investigation. Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan, in a phone conversation June 18, disputed the contention in the said Grand Rapids Press article that the case has been closed. “The misinformation over this case has troubled the Asian American community and has made them feel more vulnerable” noted Fr. Phong Pham, Parish Priest and Founder of the Asian Victim’s Relief Fund.

While there might be questions about the charges and the possibility of the assault being a hate crime, reports of racially denigrating comments made prior to the assault speaks to a clear community issue. “If you live in a community where you cannot celebrate publicly without fear of being intimidated because of how you look or the color of your skin, then your community has a problem that needs to be addressed” noted Alice Kennedy, coordinator of the Asian Victim Relief Fund (AVRF). While Asian Americans make up around 2% of the population in West Michigan, it is one of the fastest growing populations in the community. “If we want West Michigan to be a world-class destination, people from all backgrounds need to feel safe and welcome” noted Bing Goei, Asian American business leader and member of the AVRF.

Since the assault in November 2006, the Asian American community has worked to ensure that the victim’s family is supported and their needs addressed. Community leaders have also met with the police and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. “We were surprised to read about the findings in the paper especially with comments that portray Hai Vo as the aggressor in the assault” said Bing Goei.  We understand that the lack of witness may not make it possible to prosecute. On the other hand, we believe that representing Hai Vo as an aggressor with inconclusive evidence is damaging to the Asian American community” he added.

The Asian American community of West Michigan demanded immediate clarification on the status of this case at the special screening of the Academy-Award nominated documentary, “Who Killed Vincent Chin?”   held tonight, June 19, 2007, 5:30 p.m. at the St. Mary Magdalen Parish. This special screening commemorates the 25th year anniversary of the death of Vincent Chin. Chin was a Chinese American killed in Detroit by two unemployed autoworkers that had been laid off. 

###

For additional information, contact: Alice Kennedy at 616-856-1482or Christina Fong at 616-235-0284. The Asian Victims Relief Fund is composed of Asian American Leaders in West Michigan and was created in response to the beating of Hai Vo in 2006. Its purpose is to provide support and advocacy for Asian Americans who are victims of crime and violence.

Grand Rapids Press Article: Link via MLIVE

Sambodh Inauguration Program
June 7, 2007
by Douglas K. Chung

 

Saturday, June 9 2007

Morning Program: Sambodh Aranya Shiva Grounds, and SCHE Sanctuary

• 8:30                                                                                  Vastu Puja
•                                                                                         Pradip Sagdeo, Officiating Priest

 

• 10:00                                                                                Shiva Puja
•                                                                                         Public Ceremony ~ at the Gazebo

 

• 11:30                                                                                Purnakumbha
•                                                                                         Pandit Prasad Thirumaleshwara

 

• 11:35                                                                                Ceremonial Procession
•                                                                                         from the SCHE Gate to the East Entrance

 

• 11:45                                                                                Welcome Message
•                                                                                         Nancy Hayes, M.A., LLP, SCHE Board, President

 

• 12:00 Noon                                                                       Public Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
•                                                                                         Tarun Gupta Ph.D., SCHE Board, Treasurer

 

• 12:15                                                                                Introductions and Appreciation
•                                                                                         Ruth Harring, Ph.D., SCHE Board, CE,
•                                                                                         The Sambodh Society,  Inc., Trustee

 

• 12:30 pm                                                                          Classical Indian Dance Performance
•                                                                                         Nailini Rau, Yorktown Heights, NY

 

• 1:15                                                                                 Vegetarian Lunch
•                                                                                         Barb Noble, Kitchen Manager Food Preparation: Aradhana      Gupta, Dipti Bhargava, Shubhada Sagdeo, Bimla Jaglan, Geeta Gupta, Lina Hattangadi, Diana Wilson, Nancy Hayes, Kristina Ashley, Jay and Neha Sharma (Hoffman’s)

Saturday, June 9 2007

Afternoon Program: Multipurpose Room, Upper Level

• 2:15                                                                                 Demonstrations
•                                                                                        Paul Janson, Diana Wilson, and David Standing Raven

 

• 3:00                                                                                 Musical Performance for Children and Students
•                                                                                        Catherine Sugas

 

• 3:15                                                                                 Blessing of the Children
•                                                                                        Swami Bodhananda, Spiritual Director, Sambodh Society and SCHE

 

• 3:30 – 6:30 pm                                                                Children’s Programs – Multipurpose Room, Lower Level
•                                                                                        Paul Janson, Brent Coy, Diana Wilson, Lois Thomas,
•                                                                                        David Standing Raven, and Rob Bartholomew
•                                                                                        Aikido, Ramayan Story-Telling, Reading, Dramatization, Art

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Afternoon Program: Sanctuary, Upper Level

• 3:40 pm                                                                           Invocation
•                                                                                       Sujatha Krishnamurthy, Vocal
•                                                                                       Rohan Krishnamurthy, Mridangam

 

• 4:00                                                                                Introducing SCHE
•                                                                                       Ruth Harring and Nancy Hayes

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Afternoon Program: Sanctuary, Upper Level

• 4:15                                                                               Vision and Mission of SCHE
•                                                                                      Swami Bodhananda, Spiritual Director, SCHE

 

• 4:30                                                                               Keynote Speaker
•                                                                                      Brian Wilson, Ph.D., Western Michigan University
•                                                                                      Chair, Department of Comparative Religion

 

• 5:00                                                                               Pictorial History of Sambodh
•                                                                                      Ruth Harring, Ph.D.

 

• 5:20                                                                              One God, Many Paths
•                                                                                     Swami Bodhananda, Spiritual Director, Sambodh Society and SCHE

 

• 6:30                                                                              Vegetarian Dinner
•                                                                                     Sponsored by Indian Cuisine

 

• 7:30                                                                              Classical Indian Dance
•                                                                                     Calai Chandra, Chicago, IL

 

• 8:15                                                                              Kirtan - 1
•                                                                                     Aradhana Gupta, Paul Janson, Ruth Harring, Diana Wilson,
•                                                                                     Vikas Achutaramaiya, Rama Agrawal

 

• 8:40                                                                              Kirtan - 2
•                                                                                     Sujata Krishnamurthy, Ravi Aakoor, Rohan Krishnamurthy

 

• 9:10                                                                              Closing Mantras: Recital of Vedic Shanti Path-s
•                                                                                     Rohan Krishnamurthy, Mridangman

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Morning Program

• 9:30 am                                                                        Light Breakfast
•                                                                                     for SCHE Volunteers and Out of Town Guests

 

• 10:00                                                                            Sambodh Society – SCHE Ribbon Cutting

 

• 10:30                                                                            SCHE Membership Meeting
•                                                                                     Kathi Fuller, M.A., Facilitator
•                                                                                     Interim Director, Holistic Health Department, WMU

 

• 1:00                                                                             Picnic Lunch
•                                                                                    for SCHE Members, Volunteers and Out of Town Guests

 

• 2:00                                                                             Sacred Waters’ Kirtan Group
•                                                                                    Joyce Hug, Jacquee Dickie, Judith Ellen Larson, Mary Metzler,
•                                                                                    Jerry Mitchell

 

• 2:30                                                                             WMU Students’ Performance
•                                                                                    Vikash Achutaramayaiah

 

• 3:00                                                                             Excellence and Spirituality
•                                                                                    Swami Bodhananda, Spiritual Director, Sambodh Society and SCHE

 

• 3:45                                                                             Interfaith Songs and Universal Peace Dance
•                                                                                    Catherine Sugas

 

• 4:15                                                                             Closing Blessings; Nature Walk; Wild Flower Seed Planting
•                                                                                    Swami Bodhananda, Spiritual Director, Sambodh Society and SCHE

Hari OM

Ruth Harring, Ph.D., Trustee
The Sambodh Society, Inc.
1826 Charter Avenue
Portage, MI 49024
(269) 327-3774

A map to Sambodh Aranya is found on our website

www.sambodh.com

FILL UP YOUR SENSES
May 31, 2007
by Douglas K. Chung

HELP YOU SORT THROUGH FESTIVAL'S SIGHTS,SOUNDS,TASTES

GRAND RAPIDS--With 245 performances over three days on five outdoor stages and a couple of indoor venues, Festival of the Arts 2007 has more than enough art and entertainment options to please and palate ... not to mention all those delectable ethnic food delicacies.

Even with one stage--the diSuvero Stage near the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building--shut down this year due to construction work, the annual celebration of the arts boasts an impressive lineup, including a national name: Kevin Max, the Christian music star who's coming home to wow Festival audiences on Friday evening.

But there are tough choices. The bracing rock strains of Simien the Whale or the orchestral pop of The Mighty Narwhale, both exceptional bands and both playing late Friday afternoon? The high-energy R&B of The Hip Pocket or the high-energy rock of Seeing Eye God or Left Hand Daisy on Saturday night?

To help you sort through the mind-blowing array, we've once again assembled our "critics'picks" of must-see acts and attractions. Consider these a "first stop" as you explore Festival's diverse docket.

Pack sunscreen, umbrella for Festival weekend

In Memory of Perry Diep
May 30, 2007
by Douglas Chung

I am writing to you to inform you the Asian Center Staff, Board Members and Volunteers are very saddened by the recent news of the loss of Mr. Perry Diep, who died on Monday May 28th, 2007.

 

As a nominee for the Amazing Asians Awards 2007, we have just presented a "Certificate of Appreciation" to Perry for his work in the community which includes:

 

 Helped identify representatives from the Asian community for many City Events. (i.e. Color Collaborative).

Served on the Board of Directors for Grand Rapids Community College's Recruitment Diversity Board, Saint Mary's Diversifying Committee, local chapter of the American with Civil Liberties Union, Asian Center, Young Leaders Society, and Asian Health Outreach Foundation.

Networked with many key stakeholders within the Asian Community.

The funeral visitation will be at:

 

Matthy, Kuiper, DeGraff Funeral Home

 

4646 Kalamazoo

 

Grand Rapids, MI 49508

 

Times: from 2:00 to 4:00 PM,

 

and 7:00 to 9:00 PM

 

I am personally asking for you and other Asian community members as a group to please pay respect to Perry Diep's family and friends, and show support from the Asian community on May 31st (Thur) 7:30pm at the funeral visitation.

 

With sadness,

 

Douglas K. Chung, Executive Director

 

THE ASIAN CENTER

 

(616)301-3987

 

City of Grand Rapids: Community Development

Sign the Guest Book - Obituary from the Grand Rapids Press

Qigong
May 30, 2007
by by Douglas Chung

This is registration information.

Qigong Therapy--Level 1&2(Engage the mind to condition the body)

• Self Care
• Meditative Qigong
• Mind and Body Integration
• Relaxation and Self Exploration

Clapping Hand Therapy--Level 1

Meditation Healing--Level 1&2(Calm the body, mind & Spirit)

• Mobilize Energies for Therapeutic Healing through Stillness
• Be Still to Know the Unification
• Build a Foundation for Development of Human Potential
• Experience Self Healing Energy Sensation
• Renew Strength by Waiting

Meridian Therapy--Level 1&2(Engage the body to condition the mind)

• Advance to Therapeutic Healing Model
• 12 Form Meridian Therapy
• Detoxification
• Stress/Anxiety Management
• Posture Guided Healing

Douglas K. Chung, Executive Director

THE ASIAN CENTER

(616)301-3987

Introduction to Qigong

AAA Awards 2007 Nominations Requested
April 25, 2007
by Minnie Morey, Chairperson

Hello,

I am Hoon Im, from the University of Texas at Austin, and a research assistant for the universitys Nursing School in Dr. Im

Dr. Eun-Ok Im is conducting an Internet study on the physical activity attitudes among diverse ethnic groups of middle-aged women (40-60 Y/O), and your organization mainly aims at Asian American, so we believe that Asian women who are in your organization will benefit from participating in this study.  With more participation, we can make our data more complete; besides, your opinions and experiences are very imperative and cannot be neglected.

We are inviting you to help us announce this study on your website or through newsletter. Would you please post the following link (http://mapa.nur.utexas.edu<https://webmailapp4.cc.utexas.edu/horde-2.2.9-assign/util/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmapa.nur.utexas.edu&Horde=1fb65c09c5c8a6cdbd9369228703ca4f>) on your website or announce the study through your newsletter or forward to your members?

I appreciate your announcement.  If the announcement fee is required, please provide me the related information.

In this study, each participant will be reimbursed with a gift certificate of 10 dollars per Internet survey and an additional gift certificate of 50 dollars per online forum discussion (6 months).

The survey will begin with asking you a series of eligibility questions. If the study has filled our sampling quota for an individual with your characteristics you will receive a message that states so.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any question about our study.  I am happy to talk with you. Thank you so much for considering this study.

Thanks again for your kind consideration,

Sincerely,

e-MAPA Research Team

Hoon Im, Research Assistant

School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin

1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701

E-mail: limhun1234@mail.utexas.edu

512-475-6352

 

ASIAN CENTER

2007 AMAZING ASIANS AWARDS FORM AND GUIDELINES

DEADLINE MAY 7, 2007

INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION BEING NOMINATED: __________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE _____________________________________   EMAIL ________________________________

NOMINATOR INFORMATION:

RELATIONSHIP TO THE ABOVE INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION

_________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE _____________________________________________ EMAIL ________________________

NOMINATION GUIDELINE:

1. Use one form for each person or organization being nominated.
2. Include a narrative on your nominee’s contribution as it relates to the criteria below (you may want to consult with the nominee and others to be sure you are including all activities and accomplishments).
3. Using the criteria below, please address all areas individually and title each section.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. OUTREACH – The activity or involvement in the Asian community is an outreach to improve working or living conditions affecting Asian Americans and the general population; beyond the regular duties of their position in an organization or organizational activity within the Asian community. 
2. CROSS-CULTURAL – The person or organization is or has been involved in activities with other cultural communities besides their own Asian community and embraces cultural diversity.
3. LEADERSHIP - The person or organization is recognized as a respected leader in the Asian community and have direct people-to-people relationship with the Asian community.

MAIL OR E-MAIL THIS FORM AND NARRATIVE TO:

The Asian Center

1444 Michigan NE

Grand Rapids MI 49503

E-mail: info@asiancenter.info   

If you have any questions, feel free to call:

Telephone:  616-301-3987