05.23.07
New York group lifts youths above poverty, stereotypes
New York’s NY1 covers the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), which works to improve the health and well-being of the city’s Asian American children by tackling stereotypes, connecting communities and policy makers, and empowering parents to advocate for their children.
As executive director Wayne Ho says, “Too many decision makers and service providers aren’t familiar with our community and don’t provide enough funding or services to meet our needs.”
Ho’s research reveals some unpleasant and possibly surprising truths that drive CACF’s efforts: 24 percent of Asian American children live in poverty, 46 percent of such households do not have anyone over the age of 14 who speaks English fluently, and 33 percent of Asian American students in public high schools do not graduate.
A vital part of CACF’s mission, Ho says, is to “challenge the stereotypes that all Asians are successful and let the community know that we do have needs and we need services in order to address these needs.”
For more info on CACF, visit the official Web site.