About Community Agencies that Help

The organizations serve Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Southeast Asians, South Asians and Pacific Island communities. Many agencies are also working with refugees and immigrants from smaller ethnic groups such as Mien, Lao, Burmese, and Thai.

The services include aide for youth or elderly, health & human services, education, environmental conservation, economic development, immigrant & legal services, and culture and the arts. Typically located in poor communities with close ties to churches, temples and ethnic media, they are on the front line and understand the culture and language of those who need help.

Although many Asian immigrants who came to the U.S. in the 1960s were from well-educated families, the more recent immigrants are poorer and less well educated. Today the safety net has disappeared and the job market for non-English speakers is decimated, so the transition is even more challenging.  In addition, some problems, like the need for a shelter from domestic violence or bi-lingual health care or mental health counseling continue regardless of economic status.