|
Meet the Water Eagles: The Newest Way We’re Making WAVES! | |
The Water Eagles are an inspiring part of our work to support Southeast Asian youth, particularly Karen refugee youth. Through dragon boat racing, mental health and opioid prevention education, and leadership development, they are building resilience, strengthening community connections, and empowering young people to make a difference.
The Water Eagles have been involved in a range of meaningful activities in October. From learning about civic engagement and advocacy with public servants like Maria Cervania to helping students navigate college applications and FAFSA with WAVES volunteer Moxuan Zhu, they are exploring the many ways young people can shape their futures. They have also participated in mental health and suicide prevention programming, including the Peak Resilience workshop, while continuing to promote awareness, peer connection, and supportive communities through youth-led prevention initiatives.
At UCA WAVES, we recognize that youth well-being extends beyond mental health alone. Educational opportunities, financial stability, leadership development, and a sense of belonging all play important roles in helping young people thrive. The Water Eagles bring these priorities together by creating opportunities for youth to learn, connect, build confidence, and lead.
We’re proud to see the Water Eagles growing in their impact, and we look forward to all they will accomplish next. Want to learn more? Check out their new page at the button below!
| | Sharing Our Project Report at the Blue Cross NC Foundation’s All-Grantee Convening | | |
Our Founding Executive Director, Lily Chen, was grateful for the opportunity to participate in a breakout session on evaluation and exchange ideas with fellow panelists. One highlight was sharing our recently released report, Identifying AAPI Health Priorities in North Carolina, published on September 30 and funded by the Blue Cross NC Foundation.
This research reflects our commitment to understanding the health needs and priorities of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, with a focus on Chinese and Karen communities in North Carolina. We are grateful for the Foundation’s investment in this work and for the opportunity to share our findings with fellow grantees and community partners.
Addressing complex challenges, from youth mental health and access to care to food security, takes collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to the communities we serve. Thank you to the Blue Cross NC Foundation, our program officer Shelia Reich, and all the inspiring leaders working to build healthier, more connected communities.
Want to see the report? Now you can! Check it out at the button below.
| |
UCA WAVES Featured By BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation
We’re honored to be featured by the BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation as part of its 25th anniversary series, highlighting the organizations working to improve youth mental health across the state.
At UCA WAVES, we’re committed to reducing barriers to mental health support for AAPI youth and families through culturally responsive education, suicide prevention training, and community-based outreach. By equipping young people, caregivers, and trusted adults with the knowledge and resources to recognize early warning signs, we’re working to ensure families can access support before challenges become crises.
We’re beyond grateful for their investment in community-driven solutions and helping amplify the voices and experiences of the communities we serve. We hope you take a moment to read the full article to learn more about how UCA WAVES and other nonprofits are making a difference in youth mental health across North Carolina! Click on the button below to check it out.
|
Taking the Stage at the 11th Annual Asia Fest
It's been a few weeks now, but we can't stop thinking about what an amazing time we had at the 11th Annual Asia Fest!
While the dragon boat race certainly seemed to headline the day, did you know UCA WAVES volunteers came together from five cities and, after just three rehearsals, delivered a five-minute bilingual performance of 三句半 (Three and a Half Sentences)?
Originally created for the 2026 United Chinese Americans (UCA) Convention and UCA WAVES Mental Health Summit in Las Vegas, the performance was adapted for Asia Fest to celebrate our decade of impact.
If you missed it, don't fear—we've got you covered! You can watch the performance now at the button below.
|
Be There for Anti-Bullying in Schools: How to Support Our Children
UCA WAVES invites parents and caregivers to a special Family Wellbeing workshop featuring Dr. MariaRosa Rangel & Tanyetta Sutton from the Wake County Public School System. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize and understand bullying, support children with confidence, navigate school resources, and advocate for our children’s well-being.
This workshop is especially meaningful for immigrant families navigating unfamiliar school systems and seeking culturally and linguistically responsive support. Chinese interpretation will be provided, and both in-person and Zoom participation options are available.
-
Date: November 10, 2026
-
Time: 12:30–2:30 PM ET
-
Location: UCA WAVES RTP Office, 800 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC
-
Format: Walk-ins and Zoom welcome
-
Registration: Required to receive the Zoom link. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, or click on the button below.
Let’s work together to empower families, strengthen communication with schools, and help every child feel safe, supported, and understood.
| |
Flower Power: UCA WAVES Joins Seniors for Floral Arrangement Workshop
The other week, UCA WAVES had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group of seniors for a free floral arrangement workshop hosted by the Chinese American Friendship Association (CAFA)!
Participants came together to create beautiful floral arrangements, learn something new, and share meaningful conversations about the importance of well-being and connection. It was a joy to see everyone’s creativity bloom (pun definitely intended), including friends who traveled all the way from Wake Forest to join us!
Thank you to CAFA for inviting UCA WAVES to be part of this special event, and to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina and all the collaborating partners for bringing the community together. We loved making memories, learning about floral arrangement, and celebrating the connections that help us all thrive.
|
UCA WAVES Executive Director Featured on Parent Confidence Lab
We’re excited to share that UCA WAVES Founder and Executive Director Lily Chen was recently featured on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast produced by Avocado Health!
In this episode, Lily shares insights on supporting children’s mental health, reducing stigma, and creating safe spaces for meaningful conversations at home. She also discusses the unique pressures AAPI children and families may experience, including cultural expectations, identity, discrimination, academic pressure, and the need for belonging.
Drawing from her experience as a public health nurse, mother of five, and first-generation immigrant, Lily offers practical guidance for parents on starting mental health conversations early, practicing active listening, and supporting the well-being of the whole family.
Grab your headphones and check it out now at the button below!
|
Get FREE Confidential Mental Health Support with a CHW
Feeling stressed, worried, or down? Or looking for support with substance use? Strong Minds can help!
Funded by Wake County Government, Strong Minds is a FREE program offering 10 one-on-one sessions in a safe, confidential space with a trained Community Mental Health Worker. You’ll learn simple, practical tools to manage stress, improve your mood, and support your overall well-being. Strong Minds also connects you to local resources and support in your community.
Designed for adults 18 and older, this program is here to help you improve the way you think, act, and feel, building skills that can make a real difference in your mental health and daily life. To register or learn more, check out the links below. At UCA WAVES, we strive to create a world where everyone feels supported and seen—Strong Minds is a part of making that mission a reality.
If you’re looking to register or learn more, click on the button below.
| |
Check Out Where We’ll Be This November!
October was exciting and packed with activities, and we can’t wait to keep that momentum going into November. Here, you can find our event flyer for November, along with a button linking to its corresponding landing page. There, you can read more about each event, find out how to attend the ones that pique your interest, locate points of contact, and more!
Save those dates, spread the word, and join us in our mission to connect with the community and advance mental health awareness.
| | |
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
