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This newsletter is bilingual. Please scroll down for the Chinese version.
本通讯为双语版本。请向下滚动查看中文版。
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Mark Your Calendars for the UCA WAVES Mental Health Summit in Las Vegas! |
Join us at UCA’s 2026 Chinese American Convention for a once-in-a-decade event that will bring together 1,000 community activists, elected officials, youth leaders, and business pioneers in the country’s biggest celebration city.
There, we’ll be holding the UCA WAVES Mental Health Summit, “Roots & Resilience: The Power of Data, Stories, and Community Action.” Participants will be invited to share their passion projects, listen to speakers who inspire, witness learning that changes lives, and make memories to last a lifetime. Here’s what you need to know:
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When: June 28th - July 1st
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Where: Caesars Palace, 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Paradise, NV 89109
If you’re ready to register or looking to learn more, click on the button below!
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Call for Poster Presentations!
The 2026 UCA Youth Convention is now accepting abstract submissions for poster presentations. We invite projects that explore and promote well-being among AAPI youth, families, and communities.
Merit Awards will be available for youth presenters (ages 15-24 years).
If you’re ready to submit or looking to learn more, click on the button below! Questions? Email info@ucawaves.org.
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Leading Conversations: WAVES at the 2026 CSAN Summit
This month, UCA WAVES had the honor of participating in the Clinical Scholars Action Network (CSAN) 2026 Summit, where leaders from across the country gathered in New Orleans to focus on the mission of advancing health equity. While it’s hard to capture how amazing this event was in just a few sentences, we’re going to try!
At the CSAN Summit, UCA WAVES led the panel “Silent War: Asian American Reckonings with Mental Health.”
This event included a screening of a truncated version of the Silent War documentary. Readers familiar with the film know that it includes powerful and heavy subject matter, and we are grateful for the work of Victor Armstrong, MSW, who led the audience through a deep breathing exercise following the screening. Thanks to his help and the candor of our small but deeply engaged audience, we were able to have a vital conversation about the costs of stigma, discrimination, and barriers to mental health care.
Also on the panel was WAVES Founding Executive Director, Lily Chen, PhD, RN, CNE, and two of our incredible youth leaders, Jennifer Tu, MD, and Naialie Lor, CNA, whose presence served as a reminder of the power (and necessity) of investing in the next generation.
But the impact persisted far past our own program. Our team bore witness to incredible projects, moving speakers, and engaging activities. We are extremely grateful to CSAN for creating this space for honest conversations and meaningful connections. It was as professionally enriching as it was personal, and the WAVES delegation left New Orleans renewed in our commitment to promoting health equity.
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International Women’s Day Event A Huge Success
On March 8th, we celebrated International Women’s Day with a beautiful gathering. Over 60 women (and a few supportive male friends!) came together for an afternoon of connection, laughter, meditation, games, and amazing homemade pastries. We feel grateful to have had this space to slow down, check in with ourselves, and spend time being grounded together. Events like this serve as a reminder that self-care isn’t just something we do alone—it can also happen in our communities through shared moments, conversations, and support.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our UCA WAVES community members who came out to the event, as well as to our incredible Strong Minds Peer Support team for helping bring this special gathering to life.
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Mark Your Calendars for MHFA Training!
We've got not one, but two Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings coming up in April!
This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Interested in learning more or looking to register? Click on the button below.
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WAVES Corner: Naialie Gets Accepted Into Nursing School!
Big congratulations to our very own Naialie Lor, WAVES’ Administrative Assistant, on her acceptance into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Nursing for Fall 2026!
Naialie was selected through an incredibly competitive admissions project, and her achievement reflects both her academic dedication and deep commitment to community health. At WAVES, she plays a key role in supporting internal operations and advancing youth mental health initiatives within AAPI communities. As a proud Hmong woman and daughter of refugee parents, her passion for culturally responsive care and breaking mental health stigma is deeply personal. We’re so excited to see her continue this journey and bring that same compassion and advocacy into her future as a nurse.
UNC is lucky to have you… and so are we! Congratulations, Naialie!
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Strong Minds Now Enrolling!
We’re excited to announce another big milestone for UCA WAVES: our new Strong Minds program is now enrolling participants! Strong Minds is a FREE program designed for adults 18 and older who may be feeling stressed, worried, or sad and are looking for support. Participants receive 10 one-on-one sessions in a safe, confidential space with a trained Community Mental Health Worker, where they can learn practical tools to manage stress, improve mood, and support overall well-being. The program also helps connect individuals to local resources and community support to ensure lasting care that extends beyond the Strong Minds sessions.
If you are interested in participating in Strong Minds or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us! You can reach the Strong Minds program at strongminds@ucawaves.org or visit our webpage by clicking on the button below.
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Spotlighting AAPI Women
March is Women’s History Month. To mark this occasion, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many incredible women in the AAPI community—past and present—whose impact continues to shape culture, advocacy, and representation.
From trailblazing athletes like Alysa Liu to groundbreaking leaders such as Patsy Mink, these women have redefined what’s possible. Innovators like Kalpana Chawla and Amanda Nguyen have inspired generations through science and advocacy, while storytellers and changemakers including Celeste Ng, Ai-jen Poo, and Auli'i Cravalho continue to elevate underrepresented voices. Pioneers like Tye Leung Schulze paved the way, while modern advocates such as Michelle Li and Geena Rocero are shaping conversations around identity, equity, and inclusion today.
To read more about these amazing women, see our full post by clicking on the button below!
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Silent War Continues to Make Waves
Silent War had another big win this March when it was selected for HAAPIFEST, a multi-day celebration of film, music, and art highlighting the diversity of the AAPI community.
Then, we rounded out the month with a special screening at Webster University, followed by a panel discussion featuring our very own Director Changfu Chang.
Did this update pique your interest? Good news: You can learn more about Silent War by clicking on the button below!
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Mark Your Calendars for Day of Good
Mark your calendars for April 15th! We’re excited to share a quick save-the-date for our upcoming collaboration with Raj Day of Good next month. While final details are still coming together, this event will center on reflection, connection, and giving. Attendees can take part in “Pause for Postcards,” writing messages to their future selves, and contribute to a Gratitude Wall by sharing notes of appreciation. There will also be an opportunity to support WAVES’ work advancing youth mental health in AAPI communities.
Stay in the loop by registering at the button below.
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Join Our Rainbow Parent Support Group!
Want to better understand your LGBTQ+ child and strengthen your relationship? Felt lost when they first came out and didn’t know who to talk to? Our Rainbow Parents Peer Support Group offers a compassionate space to learn, ask questions, seek support, and connect with other families walking a similar path.
Our first meeting kicked off March 13th, but fear not—you can still join! Scan the QR code or click on the button below to sign up. Questions? Contact us at coordinator@ucawaves.org.
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View more of our events and programs,
please visit UCA WAVES Calendar↓
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