VISION VISION

We are the leader in eliminating violence in the Asian-Pacific Islander community, and share the expertise of our best practices with others. Using the strengths of the API community, AWUM will uphold an environment free of violence, promote self-sufficiency for women, and foster nurtured and healthy children and families.

Leadership

2011 Board of Directors

Kris Arneson

Judge Regina Chu, Secretary

Sue Cook, Treasurer

Gloria Fressia

Dr. Ruby Nguyen

Val Wurster, President

2011 Lead Staff

Sipra Jha, Shelter Director

Lucas (Louie) Munn, Facilities Supervisor

Melissa Siri-outhay, CAP Lead

Claudia R. Waring, Executive Director

Nancy Wong, Communications Manager

Board President & Executive Director Letter

Dear Supporters and Friends:

FY 2011 (July 1, 2011– June 30, 2012) was an exciting and challenging year for Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM). In our commitment to providing culturally specific shelter and advocacy services to the Asian community, we have worked tirelessly to keep pace with changing demographics resulting from rapid growth in refugee and immigrant populations.

We are honored to provide support to some of Minnesota’s newest residents, including the rapidly growing Karen refugee community in St. Paul and the robust south Asian population in the western suburbs. In both cases, we work in concert with other community-based organizations to reach women who live in relative isolation and are at higher risk for domestic violence. Working with these new groups has given us the opportunity to become more creative in how we share our mission and reach people in a meaningful way.

Last year we told you that we were forging connections with sister organizations. The work we have done to reach Karen and south Asian women is enhanced by our strong relationships with other culturally specific agencies in the Twin Cities. Increasingly, small mission-driven organizations are coming together to complement each other’s services.

The women and children we serve in shelter and throughout the community are the reason for our existence, and their successes are rooted in phenomenal courage and perseverance. AWUM provides safe haven, experienced advocacy, and technical assistance, but the survivors and their children are what gives us purpose and inspiration.

We hope that you enjoy learning more about AWUM’s work in this annual report. 2012-13 promises to be another year of growth and new partnerships as we continue to work toward ending domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian-Pacific Islander community.

Sincerely,

Valerie F. Wurster Claudia R. Waring Board Chair Executive Director