What's Happening in HAPPEN!

Rachel Friederich, DOC - Co-chair

Keith Quinata, King County - Co-chair

Sandra House, OIC - Membership

Hannah Aoyagi, Ecology - Leadership Development

Jina Pak, DOR - Communications Coordinator

Noemi Cagatin-Porter, DSHS - Mentorship

Courtney Potter, OFM - Policy Lead

And extend gratitude and appreciation to our retiring ELT members:

AG Launches Anti-Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline Pilot

On July 1, 2025, Washington launches a hate crimes and bias incidents hotline pilot in three counties across the state. According to the FBI’s hate crimes statistics, Washington has been in the top five states with the most reported hate crimes since 2018. The non-emergency hotline provides people in Clark, King, and Spokane counties an alternative way to report hate crimes or bias incidents. Hate crimes and incidents of bias have a devastating and long-lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities, making people feel unwelcome or unsafe where they live. Hotline staff will help callers find local, culturally competent, victim-centered, and trauma-informed support services and, with consent of the caller, can assist in reporting incidents to local law enforcement. The hotline is available by calling 1-855-225-1010. Anyone who wants to report a hate crime or bias incident in the three pilot counties can also visit atg.wa.gov/report-hate. The Legislature created the hotline in 2024 when it adopted Senate Bill 5427 with bipartisan support. The bill required a pilot program, managed by the Attorney General’s Office, for the hotline in three counties in Washington state — including one in eastern Washington. The three counties were chosen based on hate crimes data available in the 2023 Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs’ Annual Crime Report and the counties’ demographics. The pilot program will remain active for a year and a half, then the hotline will launch statewide by January 2027. Hate crimes and bias incidents are underreported, and data about their prevalence is limited. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Attorney General’s Office will produce an annual report describing the data collected from hotline reports for the governor, state Legislature, and public regarding hate crimes and bias incidents.  “Hate crimes not only directly harm individuals but also can instill harm throughout the community,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “Success in these three counties will help us expand the hotline statewide and better understand how to combat hate crimes and bias incidents across Washington.” Report Hate. Get Support. Whether it happened to you or to someone else, you're not alone: We're here for you to report hate and get the support you need. Non-Emergency Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline 1-855-225-1010 Trauma-informed operators from 9am to 5pm Pacific time, Monday-Friday. Access to interpretation in over 240 languages. We accept all Relay calls. You can report to us online any time: Report a Hate Crime or Bias Incident

For additional resources, please see Stop AAPI Hate and Employee Assistance Program.

General Meeting

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, July 9. We will be welcoming the new ELT members, sharing more information about the AGs Anti-Hate hotline, and review and vote on bylaw changes.

HAPPEN general membership meetings are scheduled the second Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

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We try our best to curate meaningful and relevant content, opportunities, news, etc., we think will be of interest for our members and allies. Representing over 100 countries and more than 50 communities makes it difficult to stay apprised of everything HAPPENing related to our collective community. We greatly appreciate when opportunities are shared from our members.

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The Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowering Network (HAPPEN) Business Resource Group exists to improve lives by increasing Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (ANHPI) representation in leadership and general state employment and advocating for policies that promote anti-racism, equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging in the workplace. We work to build a culture of inclusion and belonging that gives voice to the ANHPI experience.

Please share this information and encourage your colleagues, state-employed family, and friends to attend and get involved! We are a formal, enterprise-wide resource group conducting official state business. Participants are not required to take leave to participate per State HR's policy. If you experience any challenges in participating, please let us know. 

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Email: HAPPEN@ofm.wa.gov