AWUM 2021 ANNUAL REPORT | FISCAL YEAR: JULY 1, 2020–JUNE 30, 2021
Participant Testimonial “When I encounter something I don’t understand or can’t decide I will discuss it with the HOP (House of Peace) staff. They patiently helped me translate until I fully understood and made the right decision. It’s safe for me and my children. They helped me a lot. They taught me how to use a computer, how to contact the clinic, how to contact the school. They helped me with information about apartments, about getting a driver’s license, and finding a job. The most challenging part of my stay at HOP was Covid-19 and the riots. But we were all safe. My children had school online but the staff helped us with everything and patiently taught me. They helped my children with English homework and math. What I liked most about HOP is they give me respect, patience, tolerance, hope and confidence. I love the staff at HOP.”
s si o n i m Asian Women United of Minnesota will end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the AsianPacific Islander community.
v i si o n 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.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER Dear Supporters and Friends: This past year, Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) remained committed to our shelter and advocacy work in the face of yet another difficult period across the globe. As the world grappled with the unrelenting coronavirus, community unrest at every level, and the politicization of a lifesaving vaccine, AWUM continued providing a safe refuge from gender-based violence. AWUM’s mission to end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships in the Asian community and beyond felt even more urgent in light of a stark increase in anti-Asian violence (reportedly increasing 150 percent from 2019 to 2020), a terrible phenomenon experienced directly by some of our own colleagues and program participants. In March, the world watched in horror as a white man murdered eight people, including six women of Asian descent, in Atlanta. The outpouring of support and shared grief and anger that emerged within hours of the Atlanta killings was immense. AWUM joined with local organizations to host two healing circles over Zoom for individuals identifying as Asian women. The evening sessions attracted over 100 Asian women from across North America.
In another year replete with global, national, and local catastrophe, AWUM realized our resilience as an organization, which is continually strengthened by our cultural community and our loyal allies. Our focus on ending violence; promoting peace; celebrating health and joy; and offering a safe space to those in peril is clear and unwavering. AWUM will continue to offer a safe space to people seeking refuge from gender-based violence. We ask our friends and allies to stand with us, to be vigilant, to protect our elders and our children, to condemn anti-Asian rhetoric and action, and to make our community a safer place for every human being. 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
AWUM FY2021 HIGHLIGHTS
Donat
During the fiscal year from July 1, 2020 to June refuge. Below are some of the highlights
School Supplies & Mask Donations (Jul–Sep 2020)
This lovely donor (who requested to remain anonymous) delivered a note of encouragement with her in-kind supplies.
The TRIN Collective always keeps AWUM in mind and has once again donated items, this time school supplies for our young participants.
Tie-Blankets & Succulents Donation (Oct 2020) Brooklyn and her friends, and with her mother, Erica, made tie-blankets for AWUM’s families. The thoughtful note and wonderful succulents are appreciated. We are so happy to know young citizens in our community are stepping up to remember the value of service to others.
Kris Heding made and gave us several dozen wonderful homemade masks.
tions to AWUM
30, 2021, we witnessed an array of donations to support families seeking s. We thank each and every donor for their thoughtful and generous gifts.
One of AWUM’s committed longtime supporters, Mai, donated school supplies & delicious snacks (not pictured).
Devoted AWUM young donor Nikhil dropped off these school supplies for the children at AWUM.
Longtime AWUM supporter Grace donated school supplies and included some alwaysneeded hand and bath towels.
Pause & Grow Care Packages (Oct 2020) The SEAD Project donated 15 Pause & Grow Care Packages (in 5 languages: Burmese, Hmong, Khmer, Lao & Vietnamese). Each care pack included a mask, hand sanitizer and selfcare information. Our families appreciated these.
Cover Photo:
AWUM from the Heart 2020 (Oct 2020) In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, AWUM virtually premiered its 9th annual gala, AWUM from the Heart, on October 1, 2020. Highlights included: • Keynote speaker Sia Her — Executive Director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans • A powerful testimonial from Jannatul Ferdous • An AWUM commissioned musical presentation by former AWUM staff Lynn Hu • Special AWUM commissioned artistic presentation of the production, “A Cleanse Unseen / Matriarch Waters” by Chitra Vairavan and Camille Collins in collaboration with Michael Cain, Vincent Mann, Nancy Wong and Pete K. Wong. Acknowledgement also goes to the following contributors to the gala: Sipra Jha, Hao Nguyen, Matt Olson, Nan Sinchai, and Claudia Waring. Whether you joined us on October 1st during the gala video broadcast or made a financial contribution in lieu of virtual attendance, whether you helped spread the word about our event or offered positive thoughts for a successful gala (or a combination of any of these), we are deeply thankful. It is impossible for us to serve the families who come to us for help without your generous and heartfelt support. Your partnership helped us surpass our event goal, raising over $15K that year. Our 2020 gala program remains up on www.tinyurl. com/awum2020gala. From our hearts to yours, thank you!
A behin film cre Heart 2 Shelter
Chitra Vairavan in “A Cleanse Unseen / Matriarch Waters” on Pike Island in Minneapolis, MN.
nd-the-scene of AWUM’s ew for AWUM from the 2020 gala video, filming r Director, Sipra Jha.
A behind-the-scene capture of the filming of Lynn Hu and her AWUM commissioned musical performance of “Rise” for AWUM from the Heart 2020.
Halloween (Oct 2020) Goodies gift bags from longtime AWUM supporter Yamini. The sweets were a special treat for the children!
Give to the Max Day (Nov 2020) AWUM participated in Give to the Max Day 2020 in November of 2020. Over $2,285 was raised, helping us to surpass our $1,500 goal. Many thanks to those of you who contributed to this campaign.
More In-Kind Donations (Dec 2020, Jan & Feb 2021) Long-time and loving supporters Savita & Ramesh Harjani donated winter parkas and boots for the women and children at our House of Peace shelter.
Sister-duo Dee & Der made an in-kind donation of essentials to our House of Peace shelter. This gift was lovingly made on behalf of their mother, Nkauj Li.
Donations from Tia and her 6 year old assistant (& daughter) Naomi. The families at our emergency shelter appreciated these thoughtful and caring offerings.
Donor Jeanne Bierl gifted us with 200 beautiful & lightly scented handmade artisan soaps.
Beautifully packaged 100 homemade masks from a donor who wished to remain anonymous.
Former AWUM Board of Director Dr. Ruby Nguyen donated muchneeded essential items to our House of Peace shelter.
More In-Kind Donations (Dec 2020, Jan & Feb 2021) Since 2014, AWUM has partnered with David Dumas (owner of Diamonds & Gold International Jewelers) in a holiday toy drive. In 1988 Dumas began an annual tradition of purchasing Christmas toys to donate to battered women’s shelters. Since then, his business clients have also donated to contribute to the tradition & effort. Partners in 2020 included Rotary Club of Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale, NorthWest Area JC, Brad Eagles (Broadway Pizza), Carol McTeague and Kelly McTeague. Partnering women’s shelters: Eagle’s Nest, Home Free, Hart House, Casa de Esperanza, Sojourner & Women’s Advocates. Photo from Dec. 9, 2020 the day that the toys were purchased by Dumas and partners at Fleet Farm in Brooklyn Park. AWUM appreciates David Dumas and his partnering donors for the gifts presented to our House of Peace shelter participants. Each year, the gifts bring joy to the hearts of all the families we serve. Thank you, David, for making all this possible!
Many thanks to Grace, AWUM’s longtime supporter, and the artisan behind MaMa’s Masks (IG: @ma_mas_masks) for making these beautiful masks and donating them to AWUM’s House of Peace emergency shelter. In consultation with Grace, we decided to share some of the masks (since we had a surplus) with one of our sister clinics in St. Paul. Thanks to AWUM supporter Pete K. Wong for volunteering to make the special delivery. Let’s continue to take care of each other, and share and spread the love!
Donor Faye and the ladies at Broadway Village gathered these essential items to donate to our shelter.
More In-Kind Donations (Dec 2020, Jan & Feb 2021)
Donor Priya R. gave us these various essential items for our 24 hour emergency shelter.
A generous supply of disinfectant wipes (collected over several months) plus an envelope with a check were gifted to AWUM by donor Anne Hines-Brabec.
HAP donated a supply of hand sanitizer for our House of Peace shelter.
Asian Real Estate Association of America – Twin Cities Chapter (May 2021) In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Asian Real Estate Association of America-Twin Cities Chapter (AREAA-TC) hosted two fundraising events for AWUM during our 2021 fiscal year. In 2020, in the midst of Covid-19, AREAA-TC was able to donate over $2,500. In 2021, the nonprofit trade organization dedicated to improving the lives of Asian American and Pacific Islanders through homeownership raised over $1,000. In total, AREAA-TC donated $3,537.46 to AWUM, supporting our work to serve families in need. Many thanks to AREAA-TC for partnering with us to end domestic violence in the Asian Pacific Islander community!
Lunar New Year 2021 Year of the Ox (Feb 2021)
AWUM Executive Director Claudia Waring shared a special Lunar New Year video message at “The Road Ahead: Journey to the New Year with CASA”, organized by the University of Minnesota Chinese American Student Association (CASA) on Feb. 12th. AWUM sincerely appreciates CASA for adopting our organization as its partnership charity, raising awareness & supporting AWUM’s mission.
Atlanta Massa of Asian Wome In the midst of the challenges of Covid-19 and the murder of George Floyd, our country painfully witnessed yet another tragedy in March 2021. This time in Atlanta. Among the 8 victims of the Atlanta massacre, 6 were women of Asian descent. For many Asian American women, this attack was very personal. To support the community, AWUM partnered with several Twin Cities nonprofits to host an Asian women’s listening and healing circle. The response was overwhelming. Over 100 people from across North America attended the 1 hour virtual gathering. Per community request, a follow-up virtual gathering took place 2 weeks later. Within that 2 week period, another 4 Asian women were murdered; this time all Hmong women and 3 were confirmed domestic violence cases. AWUM released a public statement condemning the violent murders and calling for an end to violence against Asian women.
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AWUM FY2021 HIGHLIGHTS
March 23, 2021 Asian Women’s Listening & Healing Circle
A virtual safe space was held after 1 week of Atlanta mass killing of 8 people, 6 whom were Asian women. Over 100 people from across the continent attended. Partner organizations: CAAL (Coalition of Asian American Leaders), Transforming Generations, NAPAWF-St. Cloud.
April 6, 2021 Asian Women’s Listening & Healing Circle: follow-up gathering At the request of the March 23rd circle’s attendees, a follow-up virtual gathering was held, 3 weeks after the Atlanta murders. Adding more weight to our hearts, an additional 4 Hmong women were murdered since the 1st listening circle, 3 confirmed domestic violence cases. Over 70 people attended this circle. Partner organizations: CAAL (Coalition of Asian American Leaders), Transforming Generations, NAPAWF-St. Cloud & NPA (Network of Politicized Adoptees).
Atlanta Massa of Asian Wome AWUM’s Statement: A Call to End Violence Against Asian Women March 21, 2021 We at Asian Women United of Minnesota (AWUM) condemn the violent murders that occurred in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. We stand with the families and loved ones of all eight victims, and wish them strength and comfort during this incomprehensible, traumatic, and painful time. We remember and honor the lives of Soon Chung Park (74), Suncha Kim (69), Yong Ae Yue (63), Paul Andre Michels (54), Hyun Jung Grant (51), Xiaojie Tan (49), Daoyou Feng (44), and Delaina Ashley Yaun Gonzalez (33). May each soul rest in peace. AWUM’s reason for existence is to protect people from gender-based violence. When we hear of an incident such as the one in Atlanta, we see familiar faces. We see the women who have come through our shelter doors, filled with courage and determination. We remember their stories of back-breaking labor; of repeated sexual assault; of deciding whether to run or scream or hide. When the media construes the Atlanta slaughters as an anomaly, as the unhinged act of a man who was having a “bad day”, it fails to acknowledge that this act must be
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AWUM FY2021 HIGHLIGHTS
contextualized within a system of oppression that has existed for centuries. The perpetrator is already being dismissed as a troubled young man who was addicted to sex, whose solution to the uncontrollable temptation of the spa workers was to eliminate them. At the foundation of this heinous act is the notion that women, particularly Asian women, are interchangeable, replaceable, and expendable. We categorically reject this deadly, materialistic, and dehumanizing perspective – rooted in white supremacy – that perpetually feeds and gives permission to objectify and annihilate human beings at whim. The crime that occurred in Atlanta is an example of what can happen when misogyny, xenophobia, and racism intersect into a lethal mix, namely, white male body terrorism. No matter if this incident is ultimately classified as a “hate crime,” six of the seven slain women were Asian. From 2019 to 2020, violent attacks on Asian Americans increased an estimated 150 percent. We cannot let this targeted violence become normalized. We cannot become desensitized to it. AWUM will continue to offer a safe space to people seeking refuge from gender-based violence. We ask our friends and allies to stand with us, to be vigilant, to protect our elders and our children, to condemn anti-Asian rhetoric and action, and to make our community a safer place for every human being.
AW
UM SERVICES
House of Peace 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
AWUM SERVICES
Community Advocacy Program Legal (criminal & civil court) advocacy Sexual assault advocacy Assistance in obtaining Orders for Protection (OFP) Assistance with Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) Assistance with immigration services On-going follow-up services Violence prevention & outreach in the API community Community education on domestic violence Training for service providers Support groups in schools
FY2021 Participants HOP 110 shelter residents (94 adults & 16 children) 623 crisis calls 227 calls requesting resources 369 support group participants 36 children’s group participants
CAP 405 advocacy participants (344 women & 61 men) 2,063 attendees at trainings & presentations
From July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, in an effort to ensure safety to all shelter residents and staff, a temporary moratorium was placed on our volunteer program and internships.
FY2021 LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors Rebecca Chaffee, Secretary — Best & Flanagan, LLP Melissa Chiodo, Treasurer — Inver Grove Heights Police Department Hao Nguyen, Chair — Ramsey County Attorney’s Office William Vang, Member — Chlamydomonas Resource Center Sophia Vuelo, Member — Ramsey County Second Judicial District
Leadership Team Sipra Jha, Shelter Director Shoua Kong, CAP Lead Lucas (Louie) Munn, Facilities Supervisor Claudia R. Waring, Executive Director Nancy Wong, Communications Manager
FY2021 Financia SUPPORT AND REVENUE Government Grants.....................................................$ 983,773 Contributions..................................................................$ 322,716 Other income (various sources)...............................$ 108,612
Total
$ 1,415,101 Government Grants (69%) Other income (8%) Contributions (23%)
EXPENSE Program Services........................................................$ 1,152,862 Management & Administration................................ $ 106,652 Fundraising.........................................................................$ 14,915
$ 1,274,429
Total
Program Services (90%) Management & Administration (9%) Fundraising (1%)
als (2020-2021) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash.............................................................................$ 520,227 Accounts Receivable............................................... $ 63,339 Grants Receivable.................................................... $ 49,705 Prepaid Expenses..................................................... $ 57,456 Leasehold Improvements & Equipment - Net......$ 39,868
Total Assets
$ 730,595
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable..........................................................$ 6,171 Accrued Expenses.......................................................$ 8,478 Accrued Salaries & Vacation................................ $ 64,920
Total Liabilities
$ 79,569
Net Assets: Unrestricted..............................................................$ 601,026 Temporarily Restricted..........................................$ 50,000
Total Net Assets
$ 651,026
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$ 730,595
GRANTS, CONTRACTS, FOUNDATIONS Alice M. O’Brien Foundation The Allstate Foundation/Futures Without Violence FR Bigelow Foundation Heading Home Minnesota Collaborative Hennepin County HRK Foundation Land O’Lakes Foundation Mardag Foundation Minneapolis Foundation Minnesota Department of Human Services Minnesota Office of Justice Programs Monroe, Charlotte & Barbara Shine Family Fund Otto Bremer Foundation Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
FY2021 Cash & In-Kind Donors Aimee Aase
Drum Machine Improv
Holly Amaya
Mary & Matthew Duffy
Shailja Ambrose
Dave Dumas
Rakesh Ankit
Brad Eagles
Anonymous
Jamie Eastling
Anne Applebaum
Winona Eichelberger
Kristine Arneson
Michelle Van Engen
Carol K. Arthur
Sandra Erickson
Asian Real Estate Association of America – Twin Cities
Jeanette Everson
Megan Ata
Peggy Flaig
Melissa Averyx
Angela Jones Flanaghan
Karla Barge
Nathan Flomo
Mary-Clare Bates
Kathleen Fluegel
Bauhaus Brew Labs
Elyse & Jason Forbes
Ivan Bialostosky
Susan Frenzel
Jeanne Bierl
MyLy Fung
Gail Chang Bohr
Camille Galles
Kimberly Borton
Gemini Incorporated
Michael Cain
Nicole Gibby Munguia
Kari Carlson
Dana Gillespie
Rebecca Chaffee
Kian & Eddie Glenn
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Alison Griffith
Kasum Chaturvedi
Priya Gupta
Ricky Cheath
Savita & Ramesh Harjani
Cliff Cherry
Marcee Harris Schwartz
Anita Chikkatur
Anna Hauer
Chinese American Student Association (CASA)
Stephanie Hawkinson
Melissa Chiodo Joe Christensen Shelley Johnson Cline John Cornyn Amanda Cortes Elizabeth Council Bhavesh & Arati Damania Deupree Family Foundation Liz Dillon Diamonds & Gold, Intl. Siv Dobrovolny
Michael Fink
Ashley Hay Kenneth Hayden Kris Heding Kelsey Henderson Maggie Hennefeld Panu Her Leah Herder Debra Hilstrom Anne Hines-Brabec Lynn Hu Colleen Hutchison Theresa Hyska
David Ingham
Alson Lor
Helen Ingham
Sheng Lor
Amy Isenor
Milton Lucy
Veena Iyer
Elizabeth Lunn
Andrea Jachman
Claire Maki
Paul H. Jachman
Vincent Mann
Krishna Jain
Rebecca McLane
James Church
Jennifer McNertney
JAMF Nation Global Foundation
Carol McTeague
Cheryl L. Jensen
Kelly McTeague
Nayana Jha
Yasmin Mehrotra
Sipra Jha
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Suman Jha
Faye Miller
Yamini Jha-Korman & Dan Korman
Linda Miller
Tynisha Jointer
Anjuli Mishra Cameron
Beverly Jones Heydinger
Tanni & Bhabani Misra
Kachia Lee Designs
Samira Missaghi
Emily Kampa
Afagh Mohajeri
Zoey Kapusinski
Liam J. Moore
Bhagwati Karki
Regina (Chu) Moore
Katie Karl
Renee Moore
Daniel Karpowitz
Susan Moore
Carlie Katzenberger
Mai Moua & Nixson Vue
Amy Kenzie
Lucas Munn
Laajlim Khang
Naheed & Bilal Murad
Sheng Khang
Carolyn Nayematsu
Jennifer Kim-Ardakani
Willard W. & Jeanne Nelson
Deborah Koch
Network for Good
Shoua Kong
Hao Nguyen
Connie M. Korman
Ruby Nguyen
Malichansouk Kouanchao
NorthWest Area JC
Rachel Kraker
Laura O’Brien
Christopher Kreader
Kathleen O’Donnell Burrows
Madeline Kuehn
Meghan O’Donnell
Scott Kuehn
Yvonne Olsen
Kristi Lahti-Johnson
Matt Olson
Annie Le
Mara Pare
Linda Lee
Laura Pawlacyk & Dennis Jones
Jessica Lerbs
Tamanna Periwal
Koob Phong Lesang
Zachary Popke
Joan Linck
Priya Rao
Alexandra Lindsay
Lee Reinhardt
Hunter London
Alexa Reinkall
Kaarin Long
Rebecca Rice
Taha Rizvi
Dzung Thai
Michaela Ronyak
Jennie Thao
Rotary Club of Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale
Lou Thao
Roundel Media (Target)
Bo Thao-Urabe
Dustin Ryswyk
Sara Thrasher
Nida Sajid
Frances Tierney
Julie Samuelson
Kathryn Mary & David Tierney
Brindha P. Sargunam
Morgan Tomsche
Richa Sastry
TRIN Collective
Timothy D. Savaloja
Deborah Tung & Daniel Wentworth
Katti Schlauch
Niki Ung
Robert & Miriam Schlauch
Chitra Vairavan
Elissa Schloesser
William Vang
Tony Schloesser
Cody VanSickle
Joslyn Schmitt
Nancy Veronen
Julia Schmitt
Thuy Vo
Diane Seep
Tyler Vongphachanh
Norah Shapiro
Nalee Vue
Katherine P. Sheldrick
Vinny Vue
Terra Shockman
Yoko Vue
Nan Sinchai
Nalee Vue-Lee
Neelam & Arun Singh
Julie Walker
Saraswati Singh
Grace A. Wang
Sneha Singh
Anne & Michael Waring
Shirley Slagle
Claudia Waring
Dan Smestad
Wilson Wolf Manufacturing
Jaylen Smith
Adebisi Wilson
Kelly Smith
Laura Wilson
Kris Solz
Will Wlizlo
Sabrina Spangler
Ada & Mark Wong
Kara Spofford
Grace & Paul Wong
Gerald J. Stahl
Nancy Wong
Joseph Stahl & Lida Etemad
Pete K. Wong
Tia Stalling
Matthew Wright
Craig Steiner
Caitlin Yang
Karen R. Steiner
Dee Yang
Evan Stern
Gaonu Yang
James Street
Wendy Yang
Susan Stumm
Zinnia Yang
Selina Jue Sun
Tenzin Yangzom
Duraikkannan Sundarackannan
Xinxin Zhang
Alene Sussman Robyn Tabibi & Dain Meyer
Shannon Thao
Thank you for your commitment to partner
with AWUM to end domestic violence
by promoting safe & healthy relationships in the
Asian community
and beyond! 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