AWUM
Annual Report 2019 FISCAL YEAR: JULY 1, 2018 – JUNE 30, 2019
Participant Testimonials:
“Thank you. You are like a sister to me.”
“I am very thankful for your care and worries for my family and me. I am so thankful that there are still people who have such pure hearts in the world. Thank you from my children and me.”
“You are the only one that I can depend on. You helped me a lot through my hardship in criminal court proceedings.”
mission Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) will end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian-Pacific Islander community.
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.
Letter from the Executive Director Dear Supporters and Friends: Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) is grateful to have experienced another enriching and fulfilling year working to end domestic violence in our community. During fiscal year 2018-19, in addition to our core work of providing emergency shelter, community-based advocacy, and education and outreach, AWUM involved agency leadership and advocates in the Exploited Families Rental Assistance Program. This program was a pilot project funded by the Minnesota State Legislature with the goal of providing financial support to victims of domestic violence who faced additional barriers, such as immigration status, low English proficiency, and no job or credit history.
AWUM’s role originated several years ago when staff provided testimony during the State’s 2015 legislative session. After reworking the bill’s language, the rental assistance program was funded during the 2017 session. As with any pilot project, this endeavor required an immense amount of work from all parties and offered both challenges and triumphs. AWUM worked closely with several sister nonprofit organizations and three State agencies to launch and implement this important work. While AWUM and other organizations spent many hours on working through administrative details and determining organizations’ roles, we were thrilled to be able to place multiple families into safe, secure homes by providing rental assistance. Knowing that mothers and children are now thriving in their own apartments because of this collaborative effort is gratifying. Learning the technical aspects of participating in a multiagency rental assistance program was invaluable and strengthened AWUM’s resolve to become more innovative and assertive in the housing arena. As always, we thank you for your interest in AWUM’s work, which would not be possible without your support. Sincerely,
Claudia R. Waring Executive Director
FY 2019 Highlights
SAORI Japanese Weaving Project June 2018
In the summer of 2018 shelter residents took part in the SAORI Japanese Weaving Project. SAORI is a way of self-expression via weaving. Here are some sample SAORI scarves woven by the shelter participants.
Presented to our staff as a “thank you” from a survivor of domestic violence, this artwork was created in the weaving project. The SAORI Project was funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board in partnership with COMPAS and visual artist Chiaki O’Brien.
FY 2019 Highlights
Minnesota Fresh Farm Pumpkins October 2018
Each autumn since 2017, AWUM receives a generous donation of pumpkins from Minnesota Fresh Farm in East Bethel. The women, children, and shelter staff were able to use the pumpkins for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Thank you, Minnesota Fresh Farm!
FY 2019 Highlights
AWUM from the Heart 2018 October 2018
On October 4, 2018 AWUM hosted its annual fundraiser, AWUM from the Heart, at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis to support women and their children fleeing domestic violence. The evening included performances by the Phoenix Dance Team and keynote speakers Ms. Nana Loo (Karen Organization of Minnesota) and Dr. Robyn Tabibi (Roselawn Clinic). Our keynotes spoke about the Impact of Domestic Violence in the Karen community. Deepest thanks to the speakers, young dancers, guests, donors, and volunteers for making AWUM from the Heart 2018 a success! (Photos by Katherina Vang)
FY 2019 Highlights
Domestic Violence 101 video in Karen February 2019 In early 2019, AWUM collaborated with the Karen Chemical Dependency Collaborative, the Karen Organization of Minnesota, TPT - Twin Cities PBS, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, and the Center for Victims of Torture to create an educational video by and for Karen people on the topic of domestic violence.
https://youtu.be/z-dpNW8UbbY
Fresh Fruit Donation March 2019 Each year AWUM receives funds to purchase fresh produce for the residents at the House of Peace. We thank the wonderful donors Bhavesh and Arati Damania for this contribution!
FY 2019 Highlights
Action Day at the Capitol March 2019
At the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women’s Action Day, AWUM staff joined survivors, advocates, and community leaders in the Rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol to collectively lead the way to end domestic violence in the state. Youth, survivors, and advocates spoke about the leadership that already exists in our communities and the many actions we can each take to end violence and promote healthy, thriving relationships and communities.
FY 2019 Highlights
Land O’Lakes Celebrate API Heritage Month May 2019
On May 29, 2019 as one of the ways to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander (API) American Heritage Month, Land O’Lakes, Inc. & Land O’Lakes Foundation donated gift baskets to AWUM. The baskets were assembled by Land O’Lakes staff members at an event held at the Land O’Lakes headquarters. AWUM’s executive director Claudia Waring spoke at the event, briefly sharing the mission and work of AWUM. Thank you, Land O’Lakes!
FY 2019 Highlights
Gift Bags from Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority - University of Minnesota May 2019
Each year the Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority (APhiG) at the University of Minnesota has committed to support AWUM as a part of their annual philanthropy goals. Last year, APhiG made gift bags filled with toiletries, snacks, and loving messages for the women and children at our shelter. Thank you, APhiG!
FY 2019 Highlights
The Von Tramps Donates 10% Merchandise Sales to AWUM May 2019
Twin Cities female-led band The Von Tramps celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by donating 10% of their May merchandise sales to AWUM. They also pledged to donate merchandise for the silent auction at AWUM’s October 2019 gala. They rocked it. Thank you, Von Tramps!
FY 2019 Highlights
AWUM Participates in the 2019 National Conference on Crime and Victimization May 2019
AWUM staff attended the 2019 Conference on Crime and Victimization in Brainerd, MN organized by the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs. AWUM hosted a table at the conference’s resource fair, through which many conference attendees learned about our programs and services. AWUM also participated in a break-out session entitled, “Working Labor Trafficking Cases Collaboratively”. This session was presented by AWUM Shelter Director Sipra Jha, along with Siv Dobrovolny ( JD, Standpoint), and Imran Ali ( JD, Washington Co. Attorney’s Office).
Volunteers and interns assist AWUM to better serve our participants by bringing their diverse skills, unique experience, and knowledge and care, enabling us to provide the best programs possible to serve each woman and child who come to us for support.
From July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, AWUM engaged 35 talented individuals from around the Twin Cities, with a majority college students, to raise awareness about domestic violence, expand our human resources, build capacity in community advocacy, and further promote AWUM’s mission. During this fiscal year, the 33 volunteers and 2 interns donated 1,755 hours in total, affording us to meet our service and budget goals. We are grateful for the generosity of spirit of each of our volunteers and interns, and we thank them sincerely. Following are a few testimonials.
FY2019 Volunteer & Intern
FY2019
VO L U N T E E R & I N T E R N
Pajci Ly INTERN
“As a Master of Social Work Student from Augsburg University, I am so blessed and honored to have interned at the House of Peace. As I reflect back on my time interning, I was given so many opportunities to work with both the women and children and attend events outside the House of Peace. I was able to facilitate children’s group and watch the children enjoy their time in a safe environment. I worked with the women and helped them take steps to become self-sufficient. I also took part in a focus group and shadowed an AWUM staff at the Domestic Abuse Service Center. All the staff are truly dedicated and passionate about what they do for these women and children who have experienced some form of domestic violence. Interning at the House of Peace was a life changing experience that has taught me to be a better listener, be the voice for those who have no voice, and be more involved. I can vouch that AWUM stays true to their mission and vision of ending domestic violence, providing safe environment and promoting self-sufficiency for the women.”
FY2019
VO L U N T E E R & I N T E R N
Rebecca Tran VOLUNTEER
Meredith Song VOLUNTEER
“I began serving as a volunteer at the House of Peace (HOP) through a course I was taking at the University of Minnesota, but quickly became invested in the community of interns, women, and children. The personal relationships I’ve forged with both staff and participants have helped me to grow individually and professionally, as I’ve discovered that I love working one on one with people and getting to know them. I’ve always felt at home within the HOP community and look forward to the few hours a week I get to spend there. The work they do is so valuable to our community, and beyond. I am so grateful to be a part of it. While my class ended over a year ago, I don’t plan on leaving HOP anytime soon.”
“As a volunteer at House of Peace, I had the chance to meet and learn from amazing participants and staff. I witnessed the incredible strength and tenacity displayed by families in search for a better future, and saw how the staff supported these women and children to find their own way. Volunteering revealed to me how neglected the problem of domestic violence is within Asian communities and the importance of the work that AWUM does to fill in the gap and respond to that need. At the House of Peace, I felt like I could give back to my community by simply showing up and helping out where I could. From this experience, I not only learned how to answer crisis calls and navigate resources, but I also gained amazing mentors and learned how to express care and compassion for others in times of vulnerability.”
AW U M S E RV I C E S
House of Peace (HOP) Temporary emergency shelter Women’s support group & children’s groups Assistance in obtaining Orders for Protection (OFP) Assistance with Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) Assistance in filing for financial assistance & reparations claims Legal referrals for family & immigration law 24-hour multi-lingual crisis line Safety planning
Community Advocacy Program (CAP) Legal (criminal & civil court) advocacy Sexual assault advocacy Assistance with immigration services On-going follow-up services Violence prevention & outreach in the API community Support groups in schools Training for service providers Community education on domestic violence
FY2019 Participants Statistics Ho u se of Peace (HO P)
161 370 763 shelter residents
calls requesting resources
65 291 support group participants
crisis calls
attendees at trainings & presentations
Community Advocacy Prog ram (CA P)
547
advocacy participants
350
visitors at AWUM’s booth at conferences & fairs
448
attendees at trainings & presentations
FY2019 Financials (2018-2019) SUPPORT AND REVENUE Government Grants.......................... $ 868,865 Contributions...................................... $ 107,960 Other income (various sources).......... $ 35,421 Total $ 1,012,246 Government Grants (86%) Contributions (11%) Other income (3%)
EXPENSE Program Services................................ $ 928,185 Management & Administration.......... $92,881 Fundraising.............................................. $ 12,113 Total $ 1,033,179 Program Services (90%) Management & Administration (9%) Fundraising (1%)
ASSETS Current Assets: Cash............................................ $ 219,929 Accounts Receivable................ $ 164,719 Prepaid Expenses...................... $ 39,305 Leasehold Improvements &......... $ 70,775 Equipment - Net Total Assets
$ 494,728
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable......................... $ 3,075 Accrued Expenses......................... $ 4,148 Accrued Salaries & Vacation... $ 42,024 Refundable Advances Total Liabilities
$ 49,247
Net Assets: Unrestricted..............................$ 440,945 Temporarily Restricted................ $ 4,536 Total Net Assets
$ 445,481
Total Liabilities & Net Assets $ 494,728
Grants, Contracts, Foundations: Hennepin County Hennepin County Bar Foundation HRK Foundation Minnesota Office of Justice Programs Minnesota State Arts Board Otto Bremer Foundation Ramsey County Bar Foundation
Leadership 2019 FY Board of Directors Rebecca Chaffee, Secretary (Best & Flannagan, LLP) Melissa Chiodo, Treasurer (Minneapolis Police Department, Inver Grove Heights Police Department since May 2019) Hao Nguyen, Chair (Ramsey County) Arun Singh, Member (Ability Network) William Vang, Member (University of Minnesota)
2019 FY Leadership Team Sipra Jha, Shelter Director Shoua Kong, CAP Lead Lucas (Louie) Munn, Facilities Supervisor Claudia R. Waring, Executive Director Nancy Wong, Communications Manager
201 9 F I S C A L Y E A R C A S H & I N - K I N D D O N O R S Aimee Aase Jaye Ahn Vindya Alahapperuma Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority - U of MN Assadullah Amini Carol K. Arthur Melissa Avery & Andrew Schnoes BB Kuky Mary-Clare Bates Archana Bhandari Caroline Blankfield Libby Borg Hans Buetow Cafe Latte Michael D. Cain Jennifer Cao Jon Carrasquillo Rebecca Chaffee Kacy Chang & Robert Yang Kasum Chaturvedi Raj M. Chaudhary Melissa Chiodo Fisher Chu Color Wheel Gallery Elizabeth Council Bhavesh & Arati Damania Stella (Minyoung) Do Siv Dobrovolny Kweilin Ellingrud Sandra Erickson Lida Etemad & Joseph Stahl Maureen Faber Michael Fink Angela Jones Flanaghan Susan Frenzel Sunny Gao Lydia Geiszler Dana Gillespie & Carlo Cuesta Tenzin Gongma-Dhakpo Carissa Goodwick Arlee Hang Savita & Ramesh Harjani Stephanie Hawkinson Hays Companies
Chelsea Her Lou Her Pa Kou Lee Her Panu Her & Jim Lee Leah Herder Olive L. Herder Lynda Hinrichs James Hodges House of Peace Participants Christine Howard Lynn Hu Bin Huang Qamar Hussein David Ingham Helen Ingham Amy Isenor JAMF Nation Global Foundation Cheryl L. Jensen Nayana Jha Sipra Jha Yamini Jha-Korman & Dan Korman Bhagwati Karki Amy Kenzie Salima Khakoo Sheng Khang Jennifer Kim-Ardakani Theoni Kolas Connie M. Korman Katie Korman Tess Kruser Kristi Lahti-Johnson Sarah Lake Land O’Lakes Foundation Carolyn Larson MaiXi Lee Phoua Lee Max Lettenberger Anna H. Lifson Joan Linck Nancy Lindberg Luna Liu Loews Minneapolis Hotel Mai Lor Mui Ly
Pajci Ly Kim Mao Dominique Mazloom Jonathan McDuffie Rebecca McLane Jennifer McNertney Yasmin Mehrotra Rebecca Milanovich Linda Miller Minnesota Fresh Farm Anjuli Mishra Cameron Samira Missaghi Afagh Mohajeri Liam J. Moore Mark N. Muller Lucas Munn Ashwini Naik Carolyn Nayematsu Jeanne & Willard Nelson Hao Nguyen Nhi Nguyen Ruby Nguyen Mary Norby Yvonne Olsen Maya Orey Laura Pawlacyk & Dennis Jones Lesley Pereira Jeffrey David Peterson Pillsbury House & Theater Benjamin Pooladian Rheta Posey Private Donors Ramsey County Bar Association Mahtab Rezai & James Church Michaela Ronyak Rouge Urban Salon Samira Samimi-Moore Brindha P. Sargunam Timothy D. Savaloja Colleen Schmitt Molly Schwartz Seward Community Co-op Razeena Shrestha Tonia Marie Shupien Neelam & Arun Singh Sushmita Singh Shirley Slagle
Amy Smith Kris Solz Meredith Song Gerald J. Stahl Craig Steiner Jim Street Ann Sullivan & Kenneth Hayden Kathleen Sullivan Selina Jue Sun Duraikkannan Sundarackannan Super Cubes, LLC Robyn Tabibi & Dain Meyer Sankarshan Thakur Mainhia Thao Mina Thao Frances Tierney Kathryn Mary & David Tierney Susan Tonnell Total Wine & More Rebecca Tran Tiffany Tran Christina Vang La Vang William Vang Nancy Veronen Thuy Vo Dawn Vogel The Von Tramps Elaine Vue Bea N. Vue-Benson Alexis Walstad Mishy Wang Anne & Michael Waring Claudia Waring Deborah Weinstock Ada & Mark Wong Grace & Paul Wong Nancy Wong Tsu Kwan (Monica) Wong Valerie & Ken Wurster Hlee Xiong Pagnia Xiong Bau Yang & Chia Vang Ka Yang Kathy Yang Pania Yang
Photo by Paul Wong
thank yo u AWUM, P.O. Box 6223 Minneapolis, MN 55406 24-Hour Crisis Line: 612.724.8823 Business: 612.724.0756 | Fax: 612-729-0660 awum@awum.org | www.awum.org Design by Nan Sinchai