April 2023 Newsletter

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 04/03/2023 01:26 PM EDT

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441 4th Street NW,
Suite 721 North
Washington, DC, 20001

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.

A Message from the Director

April is a lovely time in Washington, DC. The cherry blossom season is in the air as Spring comes into its fullness. Even though April 1^st is “celebrated” as April Fools’ Day, we at MOAPIA are beginning this month in a very serious manner. We deployed staff to no less than three events that day: the Freedom Walk at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a Tax Clinic and Resource Fair with our colleagues at the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs, and a poetry reading to close Women’s History Month and open Poetry Month with our friends at the Vietnam Society.

The rest of the month will continue to be busy for us as we join Mayor Bowser to celebrate Emancipation Day on April 15^th. Coincidentally, because of DC’s celebration of Emancipation Day on April 16 and its observance on April 17 will mean that the post offices will close, this is one of the unique years when our Emancipation Day will mean that the entire country has a few extra days to postmark their taxes!

Keep up with other activities and events this month as you read the rest of this month’s newsletter and catch up with us for late breaking news on our social media platforms. Enjoy and Happy Spring!

In Partnership,

Ben de Guzman

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

District and MOAPIA News

Budget Updates

When we work together, there is nothing that we cannot take on. The FY 2024 Budget makes the necessary investments to promote and sustain the District’s comeback by unlocking the full potential of our residents, our neighborhoods, and our businesses.

Learn more about the FY 2024 Budget at tinyurl.com/BudgetUpdateFY24

DC Mental Health Hotline

If you are feeling depressed, anxious, stressed, or just not yourself, remember that you are not alone & help is only a phone call away.

The District's Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential mental health support 24/7.

Talk to someone at 1-888-793-4357

or call 988.

Summer is almost here, and lifeguards will be needed.

Sign up for FREE training with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR) to become a certified lifeguard to work at both indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities across the district!

More information at https://tinyurl.com/DCLifeguard2023

Monday, we're kicking off #BacktoBasics Week, when we highlight District services that keep our city beautiful and improve our daily lives

Monday, April 3 – 11AM at Quincy St and 13^th St NE

DC Office of Human Rights

Please join us at our upcoming Fair Housing Month Open House! Guests will learn about the laws we enforce, meet OHR staff, and enjoy a light lunch.

Thursday, April 6th, 12PM Marion S. Barry Jr. Building

The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) is partnering with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) to host an information session about street and sidewalk vending process and other related details on Tuesday, April 11^th, 2023, at 6 PM. The event will be held at 441 4^th Street NW, Suite 1117. Language assistance in Korean and Vietnamese will be provided. RSVP is required – please email oapia@dc.gov or call 202-727-310 for registration.

Community Clean Up

National Association of Asian American Professionals DC is partnering with the Mayor's Office of the Clean City and the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for a community cleanup on April 29^th from 10am till noon starting at Kennedy Recreation Center. Supplies will be provided including gloves, trash bags and pickers.

Currently, please RSVP by emailing oapia@dc.gov to express interest.

MOAPIA Updates

Hiring: Vietnamese Community Outreach Specialist

MOAPIA is looking for a new Community Outreach Specialist.

Apply now!

mota.applytojob.com/apply/iTVHJitKT3/Community-Outreach-Specialist-Bilingual-Mayors-Office-On-Asian-And-Pacific-Islander-Affairs

More information on other job vacancies with the DC Government can be found at https://tinyurl.com/DCGovJobs

Chinatown Community Walk March 15

MOAPIA partners with the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) to organize the Chinatown Community Walk. MOCRS will bring in DC Government agency representatives to address the concerns and give feedback to the community in Chinatown.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Pink Tie Party

As part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, MOAPIA attended the 2023 Pink Tie Party to welcome spring in style alongside Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bassett and other members of the AAPI community.

IAICC – Indian American Chamber of Commerce Convention: March 29-31^st

MOAPIA represented Mayor Bowser by attending the Indian American International Chamber of Commerce Convention at the Ronald Regan Center in DC. This important event celebrated India’s relationship with the United States and the contributions that have been made to improving the local and global economies.

Hopefest

MOAPIA attended an event hosted by HOPEFEST, a non-profit organization promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in our diverse DC community. The event featured speakers, panel discussions, live jazz, food, and music. The event took place on March 30^that the Marshall Heights Community Development Center in NE DC

Vietnamese Author Talk

MOAPIA, The DC Public Library and the Vietnamese Society hosted a conversation with award-winning Vietnamese American author and poet, Nguyen Phan Que Mai on the 1st of April 2023 at the Martin Luther King Library.

Community Outreach & Canvassing

#teamMOAPIA continued its outreach and canvassing to meet with Washingtonians across the District! We promoted Mayor’s resources for public safety, new grant opportunities and other DC government resources.

More information on resources and opportunities can be found at tinyurl.com/DCGovResourcesMOAPIA

Updates Grantee

Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

CAPAL Roundtable Series: U.S. Department of State

Thursday, May 25 |1:00-2:00 pm ET/ 10:00-11:00 am PT

The CAPAL AANHPI Roundtable Series provides an opportunity for students and young professionals to learn from public service leaders in our community in an intimate and conversational setting for one hour. Each roundtable features public service leaders from one organization and accommodates 25-30 attendees. These events will be held on a virtual platform. Registration is FREE for all attendees.

This session will feature the U.S. Department of State with Timothy R. Johnson. Tim Johnson is a Foreign Service officer who joined the Department of State mid-career after 14 years in the private sector as an HR professional. His overseas assignments include various consular and management positions in San Salvador, Bogota, Moscow, Baghdad, and N’Djamena. Domestic assignments include positions with International Narcotics & Law Enforcement, Overseas Buildings Operations, European-International Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and Global Talent Management. RSVP today here!