2022 March Newsletter

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441 4th Street NW,
Suite 721 North
Washington, DC, 20001
202-727-3120
www.apia.dc.gov

MOAPIA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for District Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through advocacy and engagement. MOAPIA advises the Mayor, the Council, and District agencies on the views, needs, and concerns of the AAPI community. We also provide recommendations on District programs and initiatives affecting the AAPI community, and help coordinate programs and initiatives within the government that promote the overall welfare of the AAPI community.

Letter from the Mayor

A Message from the Director

Dear AAPI Community,

March is Women’s History Month. For Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the month will forevermore be associated additionally with the anniversary of the senseless murder of eight people, six of whom were Asian American women, in Atlanta. I remember the rawness of my own feelings at the time. However, I was amazed by the women and advocates springing into action on that day. Our colleagues serving AAPI communities provided direct support on the ground in Atlanta and allies like HOPEFEST founders Sharon Wise and Donata Edwards came in to offer their support by putting on an amazing event in the days following the shooting to provide healing and partnership.

Our community has always come forward in times of trouble to rise to the occasion. On the very day of the shooting last year, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs McDonough was honoring local restaurateur Patrice Cleary for her support of the community as a Marine veteran turned entrepreneur providing relief during COVID to the community. The District will continue to provide resources and assistance to those affected by anti-Asian hate and adversity of any kind.

In this issue of our e-newsletter find the latest on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts and other updates in and around city government. This month not only marks Women’s History Month, it also includes the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which resumes in person programming this year. We’re excited to engage the Festival in a number of ways this year- keep up with us on our social media platforms for the latest information!

In partnership,

Ben de Guzman
Director of the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

COVID-19 RESOURCES

The District's Bridge Fund Program is here to Support Small Business

The District has invested supplemental funds to the Bridge Fund to support economic recovery and long-term viability of small businesses in the retail, restaurant, and entertainment sectors that have experienced economic downturns due to COVID-19. Small businesses interested in learning more and applying for the program should visit https://www.obviouslydc.com.

The application period opened on Saturday, February 26, 2022, and will close on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST.

New COVID-19 Rules for Businesses!

As of March 1, 2022, the indoor mask requirement is lifted at the above locations, however masks will still be required at certain high-risk areas. To view the slide deck from the situational update, click here. Go to coronavirus.dc.gov for further COVID-19 related District updates.

The District Opens COVID Centers to Help Residents

Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Health have partnered with local businesses to open COVID Centers where you can get your COVID-19 vaccination, booster shot, COVID-19 test, and receive a KN95 mask all in one place. The District will continue to provide support and resources to residents as COVID continues. Learn where the nearest center is to you at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/covidcenters.

DISTRICT UPDATES

Our signature Meet & Greets are Back. Come Join us on March 12!

Our monthly Meet & Greets are back for the spring. Come join us on March 12, 2022 for our Ward 7 Meet & Greet at St. Luke Catholic Church. There you can meet our staff and our fellow constituent service agencies with the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs that serve you. We are excited to see you there!

Learn more at: tinyurl.com/Ward7MeetGreet

Mayor Bowser and the Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives hosts the 4th Annual HerStory 5K!

The 4th Annual FITDC HerStory5K is a free run/walk that attracts thousands of DC residents and folks from around the country to commemorate Women's History Month, live and in person from Freedom Plaza.

2022 marks the return of the HerStory to a live event, so get ready for a downtown DC party featuring a pre-race lineup of speakers headlined by Mayor Bowser, a scenic race route down Pennsylvania Ave adorned with fun facts and pop-up exhibits about women's history, and a post-race finish festival with music, giveaways, and vendors from local women-owned businesses.

To learn more and rsvp, herstory5k.com

MOAPIA UPDATES

Celebrating Lunar New Year with You

Thanks to Mayor Bowser and in partnership with Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, we held our Lunar New Year Celebration in virtual form. You can still view the programs and the speakers on our YouTube page. Thank you to all the participants and community members who joined us to welcome the Year of the Tiger!

We wish you all a Happy Lunar New Year! 新年快乐, 恭喜发财, 明けましておめでとうございます, 새해 복 많이 받으세요, Chúc Mừng Năm Mới, Maligayang bagong Taon!

#DCLunarNewYear22

Thank You Residents For Your Insight!

Thank you to all the community members and AAPI community leaders and members who appeared for our virtual town hall on February 22. It was great talking to constituents and seeing your reaction to the new regulations on COVID-19 and the District's budget priorities. If you missed our presentation, you can watch the video on demand here. We intend on hosting more of these events and look forward to seeing you soon!

MOAPIA In Service and In Action

February was a time of loving thy neighbor. In that spirit, director Ben de Guzman, pictured on the left, joined DCPL and DACL staff to brighten our seniors’ day with lunch and a Valentines Day card. We hope to pass along that spirit and so you too can help brighten a neighbor’s day!

Our Staff at the Budget Engagement Forum

Thank you to all the residents who engaged with our offices at the Budget Engagement Forum last month. Our office assisted with some of the behind the scenes work during the forum. For more pictures from the event follow our Instagram.

MOAPIA & MOLGBTQA Sharing with You!

On February 23, 2022, our Director Ben de Guzman and Director Japer Bowles met with local LGBTQ+ groups to share information about activities and resources in AAPI LGBTQ+ communities. We're proud of the District's ability to lead conversations with as diverse a range of our District residents as possible.

MOAPIA State of Affairs

MOAPIA is hiring!

The Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs is looking for Community Outreach Specialists (Bilingual)! To apply and learn more about qualifications and duties of these positions, please visit here. Apply today!

Welcome to Team MOAPIA Nicole!

Originally hailing from sunny California, Nicole moved to the District over a year ago and has been ingrained in the Ward 6 community since. She brings with her an acumen developed in housing and public benefits as she worked as a support staff for various non-profits since graduating college from the University of California, Berkeley. She speaks fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. We cannot wait to see the amazing work she will do!

Grantee Spotlight

Grab Your Kimono DC, Sakura Matsuri is Back!

The Japanese American Society of Washington DC is hosting their 60^th Anniversary Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Festival) on April 9-10, 2022. It is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States which will feature Japanese cultural performances, authentic Japanese food and beverages, handmade Japanese crafts, and so much more.

Learn more about JASWDC's events at: https://jaswdc.org/upcoming-events/

Civic/Community Engagement

Is There Something Strange in Your Neighborhood?

The "If You See Something, Say Something" national campaign was initially launched in 2010 and was then adopted in the District. The public should report only suspicious behavior and situations (e.g., an unattended backpack in a public place or someone trying to break into a restricted area). Report it on the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) official community reporting website, iWATCH or call (202) 727-9099. Doing so could help prevent possible terrorist and other criminal activity. To report emergencies call 911.