Written by: Hailey Chea, Communications Intern
As a summer intern, I had the privilege of volunteering for an evening of giving back to my community.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) staff and volunteers convened in both our Los Angeles and Orange County offices for our annual Summer Service Event. This year’s evening boasted a successful night of volunteers writing hundreds of encouragement cards and assembling a whopping 1,000 resource kits for members of the community, a reminder of AJSOCAL’s presence to serve 15,000 low-income and limited English clients annually. With the duty of collecting digital media, I was able to capture the abundant smiles, laughter, conversations, and acts of togetherness sparked by the power of community. The LA and OC offices were populated with a diverse pool of volunteers, composed of donors, board members, and workers from companies like Bank of America, Cedars-Sinai, Disney, Hyundai, JP Morgan, Pacific Life, SoCalGas, SoCalEdison, UPS, Wells Fargo, and more! Some even brought their little ones!
Of course, no AJSOCAL event goes without food–more notably, catered Banh Mis from Carrot & Daikon in OC and Thien Huong Restaurant in LA. Upon entrance, everyone was freshly greeted by the plethora of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks–fuel that kept our gracious service alive. The community rooms encompassed stations for several volunteer activities.
In one section of tables, people were joyously writing cards for fellow community members, crafting messages (many of which were in multiple Asian languages) about our enthusiasm to help and bond the community as well as supportive words for our clients. Nearby, volunteers at the bagging station diligently packed flyers, magnets, stickers as giveaway items. At another section, volunteers placed stickers on hand sanitizers with information about how individuals can reach us for free legal help in seven Asian languages. The final stage of kit assembly was at the card receiving station, where volunteers placed encouragement cards in each giveaway bag. The volunteers were so eager and efficient that all 1000 bags were assembled in no time!
As the evening progressed in LA, our CEO Connie Chung Joe addressed the entire room to remind volunteers and staff about our work, why we are gathered and the movement we are collectively a part of. Similarly, in OC, our Chief of Staff, Aileen Louie, explained the importance of the bags being given out to the community and how they are used for our direct service clients. They thanked everyone for coming out to help and supporting our movement towards social justice.
With the night coming to a close in LA, Steve Yoda, has served as one of AJSOCAL’s Pro Bono Advisory Council (PBAC) Co-Chairs for nearly 10 years, shared his personal experiences growing up in a family of first and second generation Japanese American immigrants. With a fervor to do more than simply sit and see anti-Asian hate and discrimination persist, Yoda highlighted his volunteer involvement with AJSOCAL over the years, particularly for DV survivors, given his family law expertise. In OC, Thy Bui, a long time pro bono attorney supporter, shared that she has always felt compelled to work with AJSOCAL to help AAPI communities, given that her parents are immigrants from Vietnam.
With our 40th anniversary gala coming up on October 12th in LA, both Steve and Thy invited everyone to come celebrate and keep the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) movement strong.
With hearts and bellies full, friends and families stopped by the photo station to take pictures. Bright smiles and orange shirts blanketed the room, leaving everyone with cherished memories of service and community.
It is safe to say that the AJSOCAL team and volunteers are already eager for next year’s Summer Service event!
See more event photos from the Los Angeles and Orange County offices here.
This event was made possible by our 40th year-long sponsors!
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About Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
AJSOCAL is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout the year of 2023 with a series of events that gather the community, amplify the forces of good and propel the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) movement forward. The anniversary builds upon the milestones of social justice that unified Asian Americans upon AJSOCAL’s founding in 1983. The non-profit is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for AAPI. AJSOCAL serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation and policy advocacy AJSOCAL focuses on the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. More info is at AJSOCAL.org
