SikhCoalition: Joint Statement from Eight Indianapolis-Area Gurdwaras Following Fedex Facility Shooting FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [email protected] Joint Statement from Eight Indianapolis-Area Gurdwaras Following Fed-ex Facility Shooting “April 17, 2021 (Indianapolis, IN) — The following statement was released by representatives of eight Indianapolis-area gurdwaras, or Sikh houses of worship, including Gurdwara Gur Nanak Darbar (Plainfield), Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sikh Society (Raymond), Gurdwara Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib (Greenwood), Gurdwara Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis (Acton), Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar (Fishers), Gurdwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib Society (McCordsville), Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Indianapolis), and Sikh Society of Indianapolis…”
Tenant Worker Center Today, the Tenant Worker Center (TWC) educates and organizes low-wage immigrant workers to improve their working conditions and achieve economic justice. In addition, TWC provides strategic services, and advocates for immigrants and working families. Some of these services and programs include wage clinic and the Hospitality and Vocational Training (HVT) program. Workers who have questions about their workers rights can call and request a confidential consultation, free of charge by calling (415) 391-6986 x132. Visit the Tenant Worker Center website here
Video – What is Wage Theft? What is Wage Theft? ABOUT 50 BILLION in wages are STOLEN from workers nationwide every year. Wage theft occurs when workers do not receive the wages they were legally or contractually promised. Learn more about the different forms of wage theft, and how to take action to fight for workers rights in the workplace! View the video here or watch it down below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CPASF (@chineseprogressiveassociation) on Aug 14, 2020 at 11:18am PDT
COVID-19 Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian American community in Greater Boston is being hit hard. Many are immigrants who work in food, hospitality, home care and child care sectors that have been closed. Consequently, these workers have lost their incomes. Because of language barriers and immigration status, not everyone can access public benefits like unemployment and the new stimulus dollars. These families are in jeopardy of not having enough money to buy basic necessities and pay for housing. To top it off, our community is also facing rising anti-Asian sentiments. The Chinese Progressive Association along with other anchor organizations of APIsCAN! ( Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network) Asian Community Development Corporation, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Asian American Resource Workshop, and Asian Outreach Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services is launching the Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund for our community. The fund will provide immediate and direct financial support to people in our communities who have lost work and are having trouble meeting their basic needs, and may not be eligible for other public benefits. Visit their website for more information
Cultural Work Roundup August 2020 The meaning of success can vary across time, space, and bodies; however, success is the common goal and enemy for our innermost and collective selves. How can we draw success in a shape that allows us to heal and grow? Is strategizing pear-shaped? An endless wave? An octagon with two circles in it? Below is a list of BIPOC makers, radical thinkers, and doers who can guide and ground us, featuring recommendations by Cultural Work Intern Lillyanne Pham at [email protected] and APANO’s Arts & Media Project (AMP) members. Read the Cultural Work Roundup here
Building Power & Safety Through Solidarity Campaign As our communities of working-class immigrant and undocumented workers and families grapple with the impacts of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, which will continue to grow into a social, health, and economic crisis, DRUM in New York City has launched the “Building Power & Safety Through Solidarity” Campaign. This campaign provides a practical, accessible, and participatory program for building community power while also meeting the material needs of our frontline communities. Read more about their community tools and resources at https://www.drumnyc.org/powerandsafety/ EMPLOYMENT If you are currently unemployed: If you are documented, you can apply for New York unemployment benefits NY Unemployment: https://applications.labor.ny.gov/Individual/ If you need more information or assistance on this, let us know HOUSING Landlords don’t have to make mortgage payments for 3 months If you are a landlord, call your bank to make arrangements for your mortgage There are no evictions for at least 3 months This means that if you don’t have a lot of money, you should save your money for essential things like food, and not for rent Talk to the other tenants and make agreements to not pay rent Many tenants are organizing rent strikes People are working on passing a law to cancel the rent If your landlord is also poor, and depends on the rental income for survival or has to pay for utilities, work out an agreement with them for partial payment or a payment plan Rent Strike Toolkit: https://t.co/ChKHyTvluO FOOD If you are running out of food and need to access food, we can send you information based on where you live: Three Free meals are now available at over 400 NYC public schools for ALL New Yorkers Monday – Friday (Halal options available). You can find more info and locations here http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals A list and map of food pantries and kitchens: https://maps.nyc.gov/foodhelp/#map-page Citywide Food assistance Organizations Zakat Foundation: Call 1- 888-ZAKAT-US or email [email protected] Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA) 1- 877-868-2774 Neighborhood food assistance: West Queens: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4JI-xFE3qTxC07Tz762fEe4yNzpDo7eAsHkFo-jqnKZo1Bg/viewform East Queens: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4JI-xFE3qTxC07Tz762fEe4yNzpDo7eAsHkFo-jqnKZo1Bg/viewform South Queens: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLggjsliLhxegB7Wt_UOXpPqRCv0ef41RFQilmK17AAZKtrw/viewform Brooklyn: Kensington: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KWTMutualAid/ HEALTH Testing for coronavirus is hard to find, but it is free Right now, there is no coverage of the costs for treatment If you need to get tested, you can find testing locations here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/resources/covid-testing.page If you need access to general healthcare and are undocumented: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/immigrant/ IMMIGRATION As of March 18th, USCIS has suspended routine in person services (Court dates, check-ins, biometric appointments etc.) If you have renewal biometrics appointments (ex. DACA) during this time, USCIS will use previous biometrics. ICE is continuing to do raids. We don’t know if they are more, or less, or same as before, but they are happening. SCHOOLS NYC schools are closed for the rest of the school year. Remote Leaning is in effect until the rest of the school year Students in need electronic equipment to access remote learning can request an iPad device at coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices GOVERNMENT STIMULUS The federal government passed a 2 trillion dollar package on March 27 Most of the money went for large corporations MENTAL HEALTH This is a time of great stress for many people, and it will likely get worse Make sure to make some time everyday to do things that relax you or calm you Find people you can talk to regularly to relieve the stress If you need more help coping contact NYC Well, a confidential 24/7 helpline http://NYC.gov/nycwell FUNERALS A guide to funeral and burial option in New York: https://www.citybarjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Guide-Funeral-Burial-Options-in-NY-ENGLISH.pdf HRA can provide up to $900 in funeral expenses: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page CASH ASSISTANCE For Undocumented Youth & Families: NYSYLC will be providing $250 or $500 funds. you can requests funds at https://www.nysylc.org/undocufunds Jamaica Muslim Center providing COVID impacted muslim families with $100 cash assistance call 718-739-3182
The COVID-19 Crisis is Affecting Low-Income Workers “The COVID-19 Crisis Is Affecting Low-Income Workers” by CAROLINE DANIELSON “As California responds to COVID-19, its low-income workers face particularly urgent difficulties. These Californians are not necessarily at high risk of health complications from COVID-19, but they will be deeply affected by the economic consequences of the steps being taken by cities, counties, and regions to contain the outbreak and protect public health.” Read the rest of the article here: https://www.ppic.org/blog/the-covid-19-crisis-is-affecting-low-income-workers/
AORTA | Dismantling Anti-Black Bias in Democratic Workplaces DISMANTLING ANTI-BLACK BIAS IN DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACES: A TOOLKIT Resource provided from AORTA: ANTI-OPPRESSION RESOURCE AND TRAINING ALLIANCE When we participate in a democratic workplace or collective, we take on the incredible responsibility of shaping an institution — and we therefore have incredible power to resist the harmful cultures, practices, and policies that reinforce anti-Black racism in mainstream institutions. But the persistent messages that we receive about anti-Blackness can just as easily infiltrate our workplaces if we’re not dedicated to building a shared vision for collective liberation that centers Black liberation and self-determination. Our goal in creating this packet is to equip democratic workplaces with tools to see and address anti-Black racism when it happens, as well as creating systems and practices that undermine anti-Black racism. It is critical that we both welcome those new to understanding and resisting anti-Black racism, and honor the struggle of those who have been working toward Black liberation for generations Access the packet here HOW TO USE THIS PACKET This packet is a learning guide that includes activities, resources, writings, and prompts for further reflection and growth. We invite you to use the various components in this packet for individual learning and development, as well as in your organizations, study groups, co-ops and workplaces. Tailoring activities and learnings to your specific group always helps ensure that you are engaged in the most relevant and effective work.
EmergenSEA Corps | COVID-19 Community Needs Request & Volunteer Form EmergenSEA Corps is a small rapid response pod of young (healthy!) community members who are ready to help! We understand things can change at any time and want to assess and meet the needs and requests that come in. We are volunteer-led so please be patient with requests. Fill out the form here To be efficient and effective with our response, we are only able to assist the following. COMMUNITIES: -Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding Twin Cities metro area within 10 mile radius. -Southeast Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islanders who are refugees, immigrants, displaced, and/or vulnerable communities (elderly, immunocompromised, medically fragile, and frontline medical workers). SEAD’s current resources that are provided from our team for free: -Masks: Reusable hand sewn cloth masks -Sanitizer: Mini spray bottles for travel only -Saturday May Meals: Saturdays only for month of May (individually prepared meals, up to 6 meals per household) -Essentials Transporters: Pick or drop off for essentials such as groceries, medications, etc -Telehealth Line: General medical help via phone/video call by licensed nurse and physician assistant (currently English or Lao only) -Care package [PENDING]: Limited digital + physical care packages in-language for Southeast Asian communities. TIMELINE: As a first rule of thumb, check in with your neighbors and loved ones if they already have resources to help. We try to respond within 24 hours of receiving each request and fulfill them within 2-7 days. If we don’t have the resource, we will direct you to the appropriate organizations and individuals who are able to help. This is currently a growing community-led group hosted by The SEAD Project. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call 612-987-7313.
APANO | COVID-19 Resource Hub Since mid-March, APANO has shifted and re-aligned their work to address and advocate for community needs during these challenging times. They have tried to respond to the most pressing needs by hearing from our community, while also leaning into our core area of advocacy work to shape our collective response to COVID-19. The resources on APANO website include: Guide to COVID-19 Resources including food, mental health, general updates, and more Resources and agencies related to housing, food, legal aid, financial services, and others for WA County Resources in multiple languages for current health advisories on COVID-19 Courage During COVID is a series of stories of APIs in Oregon showing courage in this time APANO’s Small Business Support and Advising Program Oregon Worker Relief Fund Visit the APANO COVID-19 Resource Hub here