The Race Dialogue will be held this year on March 26, between 9:30am and 12 noon. The conversations offer space for leaders and community members to come together and discuss racism and race relations within our communities. Special guest speakers will share information on how racism and bias contribute to perpetuating the classroom to prison pipeline, the criminal legal system, and other areas. We wish to have these dialogues and exchanges to examine and strategize for ways to create positive change and achieve justice in our society. This also will create an opportunity for community members to form collaborations with each other. 

We are proud to sponsor it in partnership with the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, the League of Women Voters of Thurston County, Window Seat Media, HeartSparkle Players, Strengthening Sanctuary Alliance, etc. Please contact us if you like to learn more about the event, or would like to help co-sponsor it.

Event: March 26, 2022, 9:30am-12pm. Please register before 9am, March 25.
 

 Register at https://bit.ly/3vVDwqr

The Asian Pacific Islander Coalition South Puget Sound chapter and Multicultural Service Center of South Sound will be putting together a video project about the community’s input on booster shots. This will be similar to our earlier “Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19” video (https://youtu.be/ggOmVmQEQus) with different questions concerning getting the booster shot. We would like to help spread accurate and timely information to promote being safe and well during the pandemic.

Please fill out this survey before March25 to share with us your experience with the booster shot compared to the first vaccines and overall how the community maintain following safety protocols.

If you have questions regarding the survey or our video project, please contact Krizia Ragotero (kriziaragoteroapicsps@gmail.com) or info@multiculturalservicecenterofsouthsound.org. Thank you.

As COVID-19 guidance changes, Dept Of Health is actively working to translate updated content into the 40 languages listed on the link below. 

https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/resources-and-recommendations

DOH released translated versions of the following documents this week, which are available on the DOH website:  

• Symptom Decision Tree for Non-Health Care Settings and the Public (PDF) 
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 (PDF) 
• What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 (PDF) 

To access translated versions of these pdfs and other COVID-19 guidance, follow the steps below (example screenshot included following the instructions): 

• Visit https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/resources-and-recommendations 
• Locate the brown rectangle in the top right corner of your screen that features the page’s current language and has an arrow indicating a drop-down menu.  
• Select the arrow and your preferred language from the dropdown menu.  
• Translated COVID-19 guidance available in the selected language will populate the page. 

APIC Legislative Session Community Debrief: 
Join us on zoom for a community debriefing session with the APIC Policy Committee on April 4^th at 4 PM! We'll update the community on our 2022 legislative priorities, lessons learned, and what to look forward to in future advocacy. Everyone is welcome!

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlde2vqzMiH9G3ZhLGTQv7LVest5Aheghy

The 2022 legislative session proceeded at an impressive speed! Even as a short session, this year saw many crucial bills introduced to the legislature. From expanding unemployment benefits for undocumented workers to updating WA’s redistricting plan, this legislative year was critical in getting major voting and civil rights bills passed. 

APIC-SPS’ legislative agenda included many solidarity items, such as increasing state funding for refugee resettlement and increasing language access in public schools. While many of our bills were unable to make it out of committee, we were successful in getting 4 crucial bills to the Governor and increased funding for our community in the state’s operating budget. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to the 2023 session to keep fighting for the rights of the AANHPI community.

Take a look at our legislative bill tracker for up-to-date information on the final days of the 2022 session. 

• SB 5438 Unemployment Benefits for Undocumented Workers
• HB 1191 Health Equity for Immigrants 
• SB 5651 $500 million investment in affordable housing 
• $150,000 allocated to IFJC