Tag: AAFE

Posted on

PBCS Pro Bono Clinic In Collaboration With AAFE – 11/06/2021

AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee would like to thank the remote and in-person volunteers who assisted at the Manhattan Chinatown pro bono clinic.  This was the first pro bono clinic to take place at the 2 Allen Street, Manhattan location of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE).  PBCS and AABANY would like to thank AAFE for their co-sponsorship.  

Fourteen attorneys, non-attorneys, and interpreter volunteers provided 20 clients with legal information and consultation services.  Volunteers performed these services in a wide variety of languages and dialects- including Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taishanese, and Fujianese- reflecting the ability of the pro bono clinic to meet the unique needs of NYC’s Chinatown community.

A substantial number of consultations pertained to housing issues, which remain relevant amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many clients were informed of their legal rights and choices as tenants.  In one instance, a client, who is a tenant in rent-stabilized housing, discovered that landlords of rent-stabilized units could not arbitrarily raise the rent of such units for “maintenance-related issues” without the permission of the Homes and Community Renewal agency of New York.  The client also discovered that they were provided with a rental lease that was not authorized for use in rent-stabilized housing units.    

To learn more about PBCS, please click here.  

We would once again like to thank the pro bono clinic volunteers for their dedication and support, which make the work of the clinic possible.  Everyone is encouraged to sign up to volunteer below:

To volunteer at AAFE’s Clinics (Queens and Manhattan) – https://airtable.com/shrtPeVTibQA9qNgD  
To volunteer at CCBA’s Clinics (Manhattan) – https://airtable.com/shrQFecVpU1u5ltAy

Thank you to ALL of our 11/6 volunteers:

AABANYAAFE
Aaron Fong ^Gabriel Hisugan *
Estelle Lu ^*Ivy Au ^
Eugene KimVicky Qiu ^
Johnny ThachYini Fang ^
Judy (Ming Chu) Lee
Karen Kithan Yau *
Kendall Park ^*
Kensing Ng
Kwok Ng
Megan Gao

^ = non-attorney volunteers
* = remote volunteers

Posted on

Are you registered to vote in New York?

Are you registered to vote in New York?

The Presidential Election Day is now just a month away on November 8th. If you’re not registered to vote you still have until October 14th to register and be eligible to vote in this election. This is your last chance to have a say in the direction of our country and have your voice heard!

To register online in New York, you need a driver’s license, a driver’s permit or another official form of identification from the state.

To register, go to the City Board of Elections, the DMV, or the State Board of Elections. You can also contact the New York Board of Elections at 800-367-8683.

Register Today!

Thank you to Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) for sharing this information.

Posted on

Press Release: Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Free Legal Clinics Now Moved to Asian Americans for Equality in Chinatown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2016
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director (212) 332-2478

Asian American Bar Association of New York’s Free Legal Clinics Now Moved to Asian Americans for Equality in Chinatown

NEW YORK – July 21, 2016 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that it is continuing its pro bono legal clinic in partnership with Asian Americans for Equality (“AAFE”) at 111 Division Street. Launched in December 2015, AABANY’s legal clinics have served members of the Chinatown community free of charge on a variety of legal issues, including housing and immigration.

The pro bono legal clinic takes place on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Appointments are currently walk-in only at AAFE’s 111 Division Street location. Those seeking legal assistance should bring all documents pertaining to their legal issues. The next pro bono legal clinic takes place on August 10, 2016.

“AAFE has a four decade history of serving the Asian American community and enriching the lives of those in need. AABANY’s pro bono clinic is relatively new, and we look forward to a productive relationship with AAFE serving the community by providing access to free legal services,” states Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY. “We also thank the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for previously hosting this monthly clinic.”

AAFE’s Director of Programs, Flora Ferng, says, “AAFE is excited about this new partnership with AABANY because it will allow us to continue to serve the communities and its residents in a meaningful way.”

For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (212) 332- 2478, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].

A translation of this press release in Traditional Chinese can be found here. A translation of this press release in Simplified Chinese can be found here.

The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community. Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole. AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those who are in need. Founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York’s preeminent housing, social service and community development organizations. AAFE is committed to preserving affordable housing throughout New York and to providing new opportunities for the city’s diverse immigrant communities. Its research, advocacy and grassroots organizing initiatives help to shape government policy and to effect positive change. At its heart, AAFE embodies the hopes and dreams of New York’s many vibrant immigrant communities, and helps turn those dreams into reality.

Additional information about AABANY is available at www.aabany.org 
Follow our blog at www.blog.aabany.org
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aabany
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aabany
Find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aabany

Posted on

AAFE Honors Jenny R. Yang, Chair of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for 40th Anniversary Gala

Celebrating 40 years of fighting for equality, AAFE is thrilled to be honoring Jenny R. Yang as a Champion of Equality for her lifelong commitment to advancing fairness and equality in the workplace. 
Our 40th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the progress we have made as a community. In this spirit, AAFE is recognizing 40 leaders and unsung heroes who have worked tirelessly to help achieve our shared dream of equality. Join us on November 18th to toast 40 Agents of Change for their dedication, compassion, and lasting impact on our history. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we share their stories. Learn more or RSVP for the event today!
Posted on

CELEBRATING EQUALITY 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

image

image

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

6pm Cocktail Reception 
7pm Awards Ceremony

Tribeca Three Sixty
10 Desbrosses Street
New York City

Proceeds raised through the event will support the growth of AAFE’s Equality Fund.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities contact
Isabelle Leighton at 212-979-8381 or [email protected]

Copyright © 2014 Asian Americans for Equality, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Asian Americans for Equality

108 Norfolk

New York, NY 10002

Posted on

Call to Action and Save the Date! Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count Talking Transition

image

imageimage logo

CALL TO ACTION and SAVE THE DATE

Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count

For the first time in twelve years, New Yorkers will have a new mayor in January 2014.  Asian and Pacific New Yorker are the fastest growing population in our City, a community that provides myriad assets to the vitality of this City. 

As you may have heard, Talking Transition is an open conversation about the future of New York City.  A tent has been set up on Canal Street and Sixth Avenue for New Yorkers to send to our new Mayor and his transition a message of how he can improve our city. 

Please join the Asian American Federation, Asian Americans for Equality and the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families for a “Asian Pacific American New Yorkers Count” session on Friday, November 22, from 12:30pm-1:30pm! This is OUR opportunity to come together and share concerns and priorities of our community, as well as give recommendations to Mayor-Elect de Blasio, his administration and key decision makers. 

In addition to our Talking Transition session, we are asking APA-serving groups to collect messages and letters from your community members, in language, on what services are top priorities or their vision for New York City.  We encourage creativity!  Please bring clients to record a direct message to the Mayor-Elect.

If you are interested in speaking at the Talking Transition session on Friday, November 22nd, please contact Jo-Ann Yoo ([email protected]) or Marissa Martin ([email protected])

Time/Location

Friday, November 22, 12:30pm-1:30pm

(Please arrive a 12:00pm to get a seat)

Duarte Square

Canal Street & 6th Avenue

The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), the nation’s only pan-Asian children’s advocacy organization, aims to improve the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children and families in New York City.

# # #
Posted on

AAFE Emergency Loan Programs

In response to Hurricane Sandy, AAFE has initiated two emergency loan programs to help homeowners and small businesses throughout the five boroughs :

1) The Renaissance Economic Development Corporation will be offering an emergency loan fund up to $30,000 with 4% interest rate loans to affected small businesses in all 5 boroughs of NYC and special relief at 3% interest rate to businesses located south of 40th Street. Renaissance will provide expedited processing to ensure timely impact relief.  Download more information here.

2) AAFE Community Development Fund will be offering Emergency Repair Loan for Homeowners up to $20,000 with 4% interest rate; 3% interest rate for Seniors and Disabled or repairs conducted by certified green specialist.  Download more information here.

Please feel free to distribute and forward these programs information to your clients and constituents.

–
Christopher Kui, Executive Director
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)
108 Norfolk Street
New York, NY 10002
[email protected]
Tel. (212) 979-8381 ext. 107
Fax (212) 979-8386