June 2016

In This Issue
Events / Opportunities

AACS Volunteer Court Advocate/ Criminal Justice Training

June 7th 
11am-1pm

AACS Offices 
4700 Reed Rd. #B 
Columbus, Ohio 43212

If you would like to volunteer or have additional questions, please contact Kelly Hill at khill@aacsohio.org
 
NEW: AACS Women's Quilting Group

Thursday, June 23rd at 1pm 
Thursday, June 30, at 1pm 
Thursday, July 7th at 1pm

This project seeks to connect women, share stories of courage, create beauty, and move towards healing in our lives with one another.

All craft supplies will be provided, and take-home kits will be available. The group will be hosted at AACS Offices at 4700 Reed Rd., Columbus Ohio, 43220.

If you are interested attending our new quilting group, RSVP to our Program Coordinator,  
Kelly Hill at khill@aacsohio.org or 614-220-4023 x 226
Ikebana Classes:
Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement
 
 
Every Friday at 1pm

Starting Friday, July 1st

If you are interested attending our Ikebana classes, RSVP to our Program Coordinator,  
Kelly Hill at khill@aacsohio.org or 614-220-4023 x 226
  

Community Electronics  
Recycling Event 

One month left to gather your electronics, and bring them to the Columbus International Program Office! 

Saturday, June 25th
10am - 2pm

Columbus International Program Office
4900 Reed Road
Columbus, OH 43220

Questions and more information about what can and can't be recycled? Click

Language Access: Improving
Health and Patient Experience
June 25 2016, 8 am - 5 pm

OSU Wexner Medical Center
Biomedical Research Tower: 
460 W 12th Ave. Columbus, Ohio

A Unique Opportunity for Interpreters, Health Providers and Stakeholders
to build Synergy for Better Health Outcomes!

Topics Include:
  • Language Access Services Managers 
  • Advocating to overcome systemic barriers
  • Promoting Quality Metrics
  • Interpreter Self-Care
  • Informed Consent and the Non-English Speaking or Limited English Proficiency Patient
  • Bilingual Employees: Asset, not Liability
  • Spanish Through the Health Professions
  • Child Forensic Interviewing 101 for Interpreters
  • Medical interpreters as self-directed learners
  • Secondary trauma, cultural competence, and triangulated relationships
To Register:
Visit www.ccio.org


If you have questions about:
-Medicare Part A, B, & D
-Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
-Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
-Food Stamp Program (SNAP)
-Where to go for help
-Other related questions

Please contact Chin-Yin Shih:
614-220-4023 x 224
cshih@aacsohio.org

AACS Anti-Trafficking
Youth Ambassadors Skit


Check out this LINK to a skit on trafficking prevention created by our AACS youth ambassadors.  
The Anti-Trafficking Youth Ambassadors are supported by the funding from the Ohio Children's Trust Fund and the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
HAY (Healthy Asian Youth) participates in the Hilltonia Spring Arts Festival!

 
Join us in Welcoming the New Staff at AACS!

Yihong Dong, MSW
Program Coordinator (Human Trafficking)
Family Support Program

Yihong was born in Sichuan Province, China. Due to the "one-child" policy, she is the only child in her family. She loves Chinese literature, gardening, cooking and fried chicken (especially Cane's).
 
Yihong is a former AACS intern, and is excited to be a new staff member at AACS. Interested in cultural competence and minority social work, she hopes to provide her utmost respect, enthusiasm and empathy for her clients at AACS. She looks forward to becoming an exceptional social worker.

Yihong holds a MSW from the Ohio State University and a LL.B in social work from Capital Normal University, Beijing. She plans to receive her social work license in the near future.


Michelle Turner
Team Lead
Interpreting and Translation


Michelle was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She is the first of ten grandchildren to her Japanese immigrant grandmother. Her grandmother has been a significant influence and great inspiration in her life.

Michelle comes to AACS with 15 years of experience in the banking industry with J.P. Morgan Chase where she gained a vast amount of knowledge, including fiduciary operations, investment planning, offshore compliance, and customer service. She left the corporate world to pursue a more rewarding career. Her transition led her to the well-known Tensuke Market community which allowed her to reconnect with her family history, and eventually connect with AACS. The training and skills she acquired with J.P. Morgan Chase makes her a strong teammate to AACS I&T department.

Michelle is passionate about worldly culture, human rights, and equal opportunities. Through her own hardships, she is able to empathize, and offer support and compassion to others as they move long their path to recovery, and celebrate each step of the way. She looks forward to the many opportunities that AACS and its community has to offer.

AACS Directors present at
Ohio Attorney General Conference

AACS Executive Director Kathy Chen and FSP Program Director Asafu Suzuki presented at the Annual 2 Days in May Conference hosted by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Monday, May 23rd. Their presentation dis cussed the challenges of serving foreign-born victims of human trafficking (in particular, Asian-born victims), and focused on three points: the factors that drive the sex-trafficking industry; how the availability of language assistance is only one of the many obstacles when trying to serve the Asian population; and how, given the incredible diversity of Asian cultures, a one-size-fits-all solution does not work.

Executive Director Kathy Chen also served as a panelist on a panel on victims services for survivors of human trafficking, including speakers from The Salvation Army, Mount Carmel Crime and Trauma Assistance Program, Ohio Network of Child Advocacy Centers, Asian American Community Services, Gracehaven, and Bellefaire JCB.

On May 18th, the Columbus Community Relations Commission toured the AASC office and learned about the programs we offer.

AACS Board Member Karen Jiobu recently attended the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization's 2016 AA&NHPI Health Center Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. ASIA Policy and Development Assistant Manager, Kimlee Kimlee Sureemee, had the opportunity to speak about emerging issues in AA&NHPI health.
Highlights from the Asian Festival
 
Thank you to our volunteers for talking to individuals about our programs we offer at AACS!
AACS Executive Director Kathy Chen and FSP Program Director Asafu Suzuki with U.S. Senator Rob Portman and Dr. Yung-Chen Lu at the Asian Festival. Senator Portman is one of the leaders on the issue of anti-human trafficking in the U.S. Senate.

AACS staff and volunteers at the AHI Health Clinic booth at the Asian Festival.

The Healthy Asian Youth program performs on stage at the Asian Festival
AACS Annual Dragon Boat Race Team!
 

 
Asian Gala
Friday, November 11, 2016