WithinReach's DEI Newsletter: October 2023 | |
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October is Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month (FAHM) commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos to arrive in the continental United States (modern day Morro Bay, CA) on October 18, 1587. First celebrated in 1992, FAHM has deep roots in Washington State, having been introduced by Seattle-local community leaders and founders of the Filipino American National Historical Society, Dr. Fred Cordova and Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova. In 2009, U.S. Congress officially recognized October as FAHM.
Filipinos in the U.S. have a rich, complex and diverse history and have made contributions in areas like labor and social movements, politics, entertainment and most connected to our work at WithinReach, public health and healthcare. Although “Filipinxs in the U.S. represent about 1% of the population, approximately 1 of 4 Filpinx working adults are frontline health care workers.” Filipino health care workers play an integral part in U.S. healthcare systems, especially during COVID-19, while also experiencing deep health inequities in their own communities. We hope you dedicate time this month to learn more, celebrate and advocate for Filipino American history and their contributions to the U.S.
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How can you celebrate Filipino American History Month? | |
Learn more about Filipino history in the U.S. and Washington
Donate to organizations that support Filipino people and communities
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Amado Khaya Initiative (AKI): AKI aims to disseminate indigenous, land-based, decolonial knowledge and promote individual and collective healing, transformation and liberation.
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Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS): FANHS promotes the understanding, education, enlightenment, appreciation and enrichment through the identification, gathering, preservation and dissemination of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States.
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Filipino Community of Seattle: For over 80 years, the Filipino Community of Seattle has been a galvanizing force and a cultural touchstone for thousands of Filipinx Americans and other immigrants throughout our community.
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IDIC Filipino Senior & Family Services: IDIC is committed to providing advocacy and health, wellness, and deliver social services to underserved Filipino and Asian elderly immigrants and vulnerable families.
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National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON): NAFCON is a national alliance of Filipino organizations, institutions, and individuals that responds to the concerns of Filipinos in the US and in the Philippines by creating an action-oriented platform that brings people together through culture & heritage, education, health & wellness, and advocacy.
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What else is happening this month? | |
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month (Oct. 1 - 31) |
NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees.
Learn More
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Indigenous People's Day (Oct. 9) |
Indigenous Peoples Day has been recognized for decades in different forms and under a variety of names to celebrate Native Americans’ history and culture and to recognize the challenges they continue to face.
Learn More
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Intersex Awareness Day (Oct. 26) |
Intersex Awareness Day marks the first public demonstration by intersex people in North America. The Intersex Day Project shares intersex histories and promotes human rights events for Intersex Awareness Day and Intersex Day of Solidarity.
Listen to "For the intersex community, 'Every Body' exists on a spectrum
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Mental Health Resources and Events | |
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Depression Awareness Month
(Oct. 1 - 31)
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National Depression Education and Awareness Month is dedicated to providing accurate information about depression and raising awareness for the condition. October is also known as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month.
Learn More
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Anniversary of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Oct. 3) |
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was enacted in October 2008 and took effect on January 1, 2009. The Affordable Care Act builds on MHPAEA and requires coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services as one of ten EHB categories in non-grandfathered individual and small group plans.
Learn More
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Mental Illness Awareness Week
(Oct. 1 - 7)
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Mental Illness Awareness Week is run in collaboration with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI’s goals are to raise awareness of mental illnesses, fight discrimination, and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week This has become a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.
Learn More
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Team Updates
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Affinity Groups Start This Month!
Thank you to those who joined us for last week’s Affinity Group study hall—we hope to see more folks next month! October brings exciting work as we begin Affinity Groups this week and next week. As a reminder, the BIPOC and White-bodied affinity groups take place on 10/18 and 10/19, with the LGBTQIA+ affinity group taking place next week on 10/25.
In preparation for this month’s affinity group, please be sure to complete your Social Identity Wheel activity. This activity can be found in an email sent to staff on Wed. 10/4 from the DEI Team.
Please reach out to Angelica or the DEI Team (DEI@withinreachwa.org) if you have any questions or issues accessing the activity. We look forward to sharing space and being in community with you all again!
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Feedback, comments, questions, ideas? Email the DEI Team or utilize our DEI feedback form. This is a space for you to use your voice and be heard. The DEI feedback form gives you the opportunity to submit feedback anonymously.
Interested in leading a land acknowledgment? Sign-up for an upcoming staff meeting!
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WithinReach would like to acknowledge that we occupy the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, in particular the Tulalip, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Suquamish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes and the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People, past, present and future, and honor with gratitude the land itself. We see you, respect your right to sovereignty and self-determination, and are committed to being better listeners, learners and in lifting Indigenous voices.
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