2023 February Newsletter

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 02/17/2023 04:07 PM EST

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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

February is a time to make connections. As we celebrate Black History Month, we look to join our colleagues at the Mayor’s Office of African American Strategic Engagement, the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, and other agencies offering programming to, in the words of Mayor Bowser’s social media posts that opened the month, “to amplify Black stories, elevate Black voices, and learn how to best advance racial justice and equity year-round.”

Although Lunar New Year is ending, we continue participating in Lunar New Year festivities as we welcome the Year of the Rabbit (or the Year of the Cat for the Vietnamese folks celebrating their Tet). As part of our continued celebration, we hosted a joint Open House with the Mayor’s Office on Veterans Affairs (MOVA) and welcomed our friends into our office. More than 55 attendees stopped by our two offices and met with #teamMOAPIA and MOVA to learn more about our services, toured our workspaces, and networked. We had such a wonderful time, and we look forward to another opportunity like this again!

Finally, of course, February and Valentine’s Day remind us that love is what’s important. It’s a reminder that we need love now more than ever, with incidents such as the devastating shootings around Lunar New Year observances in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California, still sharp in our memories.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to welcome our new Public Information Officer, Dr Lavau Nalu. He is a recent arrival to the District and to the U.S. from Papua New Guinea, and we are proud to welcome the first Pacific Islander to #TeamMOAPIA in recent memory. He will take the lead on our newsletter and social media platforms that will continue to be the best ways to keep up to date.

Join us for these and other events and activities throughout the month- you can get the latest information on our social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as YouTube and LinkedIn).

In Partnership,

Ben de Guzman

DISTRICT UPDATES

Polish Your Resumes for the Ward 8 Hiring Fair!

Join the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and the Donohoe group for a hiring fair!

Interviews and on-the-spot job offers for positions in the following industries as applicable:

• Restaurant

• Hotel

• Construction

• Operation and Maintenance

DISTRICT RESOURCES

As cooler temperatures continue in the coming months, stay safe by subscribing to Mayor Bowser or Alert DC's Twitter to receive updates about the District’s Hypothermia Alert . Check on unsheltered neighbors, seniors, and other vulnerable individuals. If you see someone in need of shelter call: 202-399-7093 or 311 or call 911 if there’s an immediate safety risk.

Free Tax Preparation Sites

Need help filing your tax returns? IRS Certified volunteers will prepare and e-file your federal and state returns at no cost!

Check out the eligibility requirements.

Free Tax Preparation Sites | disb (dc.gov)

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Flu Shot & New COVID Booster Available at All COVID Centers

DC Health is encouraging DC residents to receive their annual flu shot and the new bivalent COVID-19 booster – also known as the Omicron booster – at the same time. These vaccines will be available at pharmacies and clinics throughout the District of Columbia beginning next week.

The annual flu shot is recommended for anyone six months and older.

The Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster is recommended for individuals 12 years of age or older if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccination series or at least two months since they received a booster dose.

The Moderna bivalent booster is recommended for individuals 18 years of age and older if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccination series or at least two months since they received a booster dose.

Flu Shot & New COVID Booster Available at All COVID Centers

Monkeypox Clinics Merge with COVID Centers in Wards 2, 3, and 8

Beginning October 15, monkeypox clinics are collocated with the COVID Centers in Wards 2, 3, and 8. For more information about monkeypox: https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/monkeypox

MOAPIA UPDATES

Community Outreach & Canvassing

#TeamMOAPIA continued its outreach and canvassing to meet with Washingtonians across the District! We promoted the Mayor’s upcoming Budget Engagement Forums, where you could share your priorities, ideas, and suggestions for the FY24 budget. Check more information about the Forums in our newsletter and register now!

2023 MOAPIA & MOVA Open House

On February 2, MOAPIA hosted a joint Open House with the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA) and welcomed everyone to the office. Sixty attendees visited the two offices, enjoyed networking, and spoke with the directors and staff members from MOAPIA and MOVA.

Stop AAPI Hate Fundraiser with AAPI Chefs

MOAPIA Director Ben de Guzman attended the fundraiser hosted by AAPI chefs to support Chinatown and victims of the Monterey Park shooting.

Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by API Senior Service Center

On February 6, MOAPIA attended a Lunar New Year Celebration luncheon hosted by API Senior Service Center, one of MOAPIA’s longtime partners serving AAPI seniors in the District.

MOAPIA State of Affairs

MOAPIA is hiring!

The Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs has job openings for Community Outreach Specialists for candidates with language skills in Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean. To apply and learn more about the qualifications and duties of these positions, please visit here. Apply today!

Grant Opportunities

HumanitiesDC illuminates the rich communities that make up Washington, DC through their grantmaking and public programs that help build a vibrant city where all can engage in intellectual exchange, reflect on our connected stories and celebrate our various cultures.

There are many community grant programs still available. Applications close March 14, 2023. Apply now!

Grant Opportunities - HumanitiesDC

Grantee Spotlight

CAPAL Public Service Scholarship and Internship Program

The Conference on Asian and Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) is now accepting applications for the 2023 Public Service Internship and Scholarship Program. This paid program includes weekly leadership seminars, Community Action Projects, and individual mentorship. CAPAL’s Public Service Internship Program places undergraduate and graduate students within the public sector in the Washington, DC area and throughout the United States. Applicants can apply for internships for Summer 2023 and Fall 2023.

The deadline for Summer 2023 applications is February 13, 11:59 pm ET, the deadline for Fall 2023 applications is July 14, 11:59 pm ET. Applicants can apply at: https://www.capal.org/site/2018/09/04/scholarship-internship-program/

Any questions can be sent to hannah.park@capal.org

Civic/Community Engagement

Be A Part of DC's Comeback!

Since 2015, Mayor Muriel Bowser has invited residents to make their ideas and budget priorities heard. Once again she is asking residents to share their fresh, new, and bold budget ideas for FY24.

Learn more at budget.dc.gov.