AALDEF Archives - Page 8 of 10

July 30, 2012

AALDEF Seeks Work-Study Intern

FALL 2012 SPECIAL EVENTS INTERN

Undergraduate or Graduate Students

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a 38-year old New York-based national civil rights organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans through litigation, advocacy and community education. AALDEF has a 22-person staff and is supported by foundation and corporate grants, individual contributions, and special events. We receive no government funds. For more information about AALDEF and its current activities, visit our website at www.aaldef.org.

The Special Events Intern will assist in the planning, preparation, and execution of our annual dinner gala and silent auction in February 2013.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
-Assisting with sponsorship development and outreach, writing materials, managing and following up on reservations, ticket sales, and donations.
-Maintaining databases and files.
-Preparing and maintaining sponsor/donor solicitations and acknowledgments, mailings, and emails.
-Assisting with the production of the invitations and dinner programs.
-Coordinating silent auction/raffle donations, including developing prospects, solicitations and acknowledgment, brochure and silent auction planning, and production.
-Meeting event deadlines.

Applicants must be self-motivated, have good organizational and writing skills, be detail oriented, able to work independently, organize and coordinate multiple tasks, develop and manage projects in a timely manner, and have database and internet skills. Some fundraising experience is preferable. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Experience using Filemaker is a plus. Flexibility with extra hours around the time of special events is necessary.

This is a temporary part-time position. This position begins September 2012 and will end shortly after the dinner. Hours are flexible. This is an unpaid position. We accept work study grants. Academic credit may be arranged.

To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter ASAP to:

Jennifer Weng
Special Events Intern
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, New York 10013
fax: 212.966.4303
email: [email protected]

For more information, contact Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932, ext. 212 or [email protected].

July 18, 2012

AALDEF Seeks Community Organizer

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Community Organizer, Anti-Trafficking Initiative

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a 38-year old New York-based national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans through litigation, advocacy and community education. AALDEF has a 21-person staff and is supported by foundation and corporate grants, individual contributions, and special events. For more information about AALDEF and its activities, visit our website at http://www.aaldef.org

DESCRIPTION:

AALDEF’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative provides legal assistance to trafficked Asian women and girls by giving immigration assistance, engaging in criminal justice advocacy, and filing civil actions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

The Community Organizer will be involved in the following activities:

1. Work with attorneys to enforce the rights of human trafficking survivors, and coordinate with case managers to secure a broad range of services;

2. Develop and conduct community education trainings for workers’ organizations and groups, present at panel discussions and conferences;

3. Interpret for intakes and client representation, and proofread translations.

4. Participate in local and national anti-trafficking networks, and organize briefings on proposed federal, state, and local policies affecting trafficked persons;

QUALIFICATIONS:

— Detail-oriented, independent, and focused.

— Strong organizational and communication skills.

— Experience in community organizing or policy advocacy.

— Knowledge of human trafficking, labor and employment rights, and human rights issues.

— Familiarity with Asian American community issues preferred.

— Ability to speak an Asian language.

— Ability to travel and work on evenings and weekends.

TO APPLY:

Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to:

Community Organizer Search

AALDEF
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, NY 10013-2815
fax: 212-966-4303

Email: [email protected] (put “Anti-Trafficking Initiative” in the subject line)

DEADLINE: August 31, 2012. Applications will be read on a continuing basis, and the position will be filled as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Ivy O. Suriyopas at 212-966-5932 or [email protected].

July 17, 2012

AALDEF seeks volunteer Malayalam interpreter

We received the following today, July 17, from Lillian Ling at AALDEF. We assume “this coming week” means next week. Please reply directly to AALDEF if you know someone who can undertake this assignment.

AALDEF’s Economic Justice project seeks a volunteer interpreter who is fluent in Malayalam to conduct a 2 ½-hour telephonic consultation between AALDEF attorneys and a client in the coming week. The consultation may take place by telephone in the evening during the workweek, or during the weekend. Interested volunteers should contact Jennifer Weng at [email protected] regarding their availability.

July 10, 2012

AALDEF Announces Free Legal Clinics for Undocumented Youth on Obama’s New Immigration Policy

July 10, 2012 – On June 15, 2012, the Obama administration announced that it would grant “deferred action” status to undocumented youth who qualify for administrative relief. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) will hold a series of legal clinics to provide free legal advice and representation to young people who qualify under this directive. These clinics will help to support the work of AALDEF’s undocumented Asian American youth group.

The first legal clinic will be at AALDEF’s office on Thursday, July 12, 2012 from 3pm – 7pm. Additional clinics will be scheduled in upcoming weeks.

“This new directive is a good first step,” said Bethany Li, staff attorney at AALDEF. “But for this policy to make any difference, undocumented Asian American youth need to understand its effect and continue to be at the forefront in asserting their rights. These legal clinics combined with the youth group will help to push the discussion around our immigration policy forward.”

AALDEF is also providing resources for undocumented youth on its website, including an in-depth set of FAQs on deferred action eligibility, which explains who qualifies for deferred action, and how this policy affects removal proceedings and encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

AALDEF is seeking pro bono assistance to staff our free legal clinics for undocumented youth. For more information, please contact staff attorney Bethany Li at 212 966-5932 ext 213 or [email protected].

The legal clinics are only open to youth who potentially qualify for deferred action status and are seeking legal advice. They are not open to the press.

July 2, 2012

AALDEF Registers Asian American Voters in NY, NJ, and PA for Independence Day

In the week leading up to July 4th, 2012, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), a 38-year-old civil rights organization, will conduct a series of non-partisan voter registration drives for New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania residents in anticipation of the upcoming 2012 elections. The drives will take place from Thursday, June 28th through Tuesday, July 3rd in five locations.

Asian Americans are the nation’s fastest growing minority group and now account for the largest number of immigrants to the United States.

In Queens, where the Asian American community grew 300 times faster than the rest of the borough’s population to almost half a million people, AALDEF will register voters in Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill, and Flushing. In New Jersey, AALDEF will register voters in East Brunswick. In Manhattan, AALDEF will register voters by the World Trade Center PATH station to reach voters in both New York and New Jersey. In Philadelphia, AALDEF will register voters in Chinatown.

Translated registration forms in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Gujarati, and Bengali, as required by the Voting Rights Act or voluntarily provided by the State, will be available, as well as bilingual volunteers to assist citizens who want to register to vote.

“What better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than by registering to vote?” said Glenn D. Magpantay, Director of the Democracy Program at AALDEF. “We intend to increase the numbers of Asians Americans at the polls in 2012.” According to AALDEF’s exit poll data from the 2008 presidential election, 30% of Asian Americans were first time voters, compared to 10% of voters overall.

Only 43% of the Asian American voting age population in New York, 58% in New Jersey, and 50% in Pennsylvania are registered to vote, based on 2008 Census estimates. However, voter turnout of those registered was 83% in New York, 93% in New Jersey, and 50% in Pennsylvania.

“These voter registration drives are crucial for engaging our community in the political process,” said Chi-Ser Tran, Voting Rights Organizer at AALDEF.

New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania Voter Registration Drives Schedule

Thurs, 6/28 in Elmhurst (5-6:30 pm) – Broadway & Whitney Ave.

Thurs, 6/28 in Jackson Heights (5-6:30 pm) – 74th St., between Roosevelt Ave and 37th Ave.

Fri, 6/29 in Richmond Hill (5-6:30 pm) – 118th St. & Liberty Ave. and 120th St & Liberty Ave.

Sat, 6/30 in East Brunswick, NJ (11 am – 3 pm) – Hong Kong Supermarket (265 State Rte. 18)

Mon, 7/2 at, Philadelphia, PA (1-2 pm) – Chinatown “Friendship Arch” at 10th & Arch Streets

Mon, 7/2 at Manhattan (4:30-6 pm) – Corner of Church and Vesey Streets near the World Trade Center PATH

Tues, 7/3 in Flushing (5-6:30 pm) – Queens Library (41-17 Main St.) near bus stops

June 15, 2012

AALDEF Volunteer Opportunity – Voter Registration Drives

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. This summer, AALDEF will be conducting a series of street-based voter registration drives in various neighborhoods in New York City and East Brunswick, New Jersey. We need your help to register Asian Americans to vote. Volunteers with Chinese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, or Punjabi language skills are especially helpful, though not necessary.

All volunteers must be non-partisan during the time that they help. There will be a short training for all volunteers on rules to know when conducting voter registration drives. If your organization is interested in participating in one or more registration drives this summer, please contact AALDEF Voting Rights Organizer, Chi-Ser Tran, immediately at [email protected] with the date(s) of choice and the number of volunteers your organization will be able to provide. Please direct all questions to Chi-Ser.

The voter registration drive schedule is:

____Thursday, June 28, 2012: Elmhurst, Queens (5-6:30 pm)

____Friday, June 29, 2012: Richmond Hill, Queens (5-6:30 pm)

____Saturday, June 30, 2012: East Brunswick, New Jersey (11-3pm)

____Tuesday, July 3, 2012: Flushing, Queens (5-6:30 pm)

Thank you! We look forward to working with you this summer!

June 8, 2012

AALDEF seeking Nepali Volunteer Interpreter

NEPALI VOLUNTEER INTERPRETER OPPORTUNITY

Founded in 1974, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

For Summer 2012 and Fall 2012, AALDEF seeks undergraduate or graduate volunteers who are fluent in both Nepali and English to participate in client legal meetings as interpreters. Volunteers will gain valuable experience working alongside AALDEF attorneys in client advocacy and community education, and receive close supervision in a legal environment. A minimum time commitment of 5 hours per week is highly desired.

Interested volunteers should contact AALDEF staff attorney Shirley Lin at [email protected] by June 18 (Summer 2012) or July 31 (Fall 2012).

May 29, 2012

AALDEF: Legal Training for Community Groups on May 30th

On Wednesday, May 30, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) will lead two legal trainings geared towards community-based organizations that will be engaging in election-related work this year. The trainings, called “Voters’ Rights, Conducting Voter Registration, and Election Rules for Nonprofits and 501©3s,” will occur once from 12 pm – 1:30 pm and again from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. AALDEF will cover legal liabilities and procedures for your organization regarding election-related activities.

AALDEF will be providing lunch and dinner at the two trainings. The substance of both trainings will be the same, so if interested, attend the one that is most convenient for you. However, please note that the location of each training is different.

For more information, contact the Voting Rights Organizer Chi-Ser Tran at [email protected]

**Please RSVP by Friday, May 25th at 12pm (noon) here.

May 15, 2012

Bilingual Ballots and Language Assistance for Asian Americans

A message from our friends at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund:

Dear friends:

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) has compiled multilingual fact sheets regarding election language assistance in 10 Asian languages.

As you may know, in October of 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the new jurisdictions and languages covered under the Language Assistance Provisions (Section 203) of the federal Voting Rights Act. Section 203 requires covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance so that limited English proficient Americans can effectively participate in the electoral process.

As a result, 22 counties in eleven (11) states are now required to provide bilingual ballots, interpreters at poll sites, and other translated materials in Asian languages. AALDEF’s multilingual fact sheets explain the law’s requirements, its benefits, and how to report problems to ensure that all Asian Americans can fully exercise their right to vote. Our fact sheets are available in the following languages:

· English
· Chinese
· Korean
· Vietnamese
· Filipino (Ilocano)
· Filipino (Tagalog)
· Japanese
· Bengali
· Hindi
· Urdu
· Punjabi

We are delighted that more Asian Americans will be able to exercise their right to vote through this expansion and hope that you all find these community fact sheets useful.

For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 212-966-5932.

Best,

Chi-Ser Tran
Voting Rights Organizer
[email protected] x251

May 7, 2012

Celebrate APA Heritage Month with AABANY

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and AABANY is celebrating in a variety of ways:

May 9 – Pro Bono and Community Service Committee Meeting at Perlman and Perlman, starting at 7 pm.

May 11 – Society of Asian Federal Officers 21st Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet at Jing Fong, starting at 6 pm; AABANY member Pamela Chen, Chief, Civil Rights Section, Criminal Division, US Attorney’s Office, Easter District of New York, being honored as Prosecutor of the Year.

May 12 – 33rd Annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Festival at DUMBO, starting at 11 am. AABANY and KALAGNY will have a table at the event. It is a free, family-friendly event and the weather is supposed to be great this weekend, so come out and join us.

May 14 – APA Heritage Month Celebration at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office co-sponsored by AABANY.

May 14 – Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing, Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York (and long-time AABANY member), will be speaking at Kramer Levin’s APA Heritage Month Celebration, at Kramer Levin’s midtown Manhattan office. RSVP required by May 10.

May 16 – MOCA Community of Heroes Celebration at Golden Unicorn, starting at 6 pm. AABANY is taking seats there, and if you’d like to join us at a 50% subsidized rate, contact [email protected].

May 17 – AABANY’s IP Committee presents: Intellectual Property Ethics for In-House Counsel CLE, starting at 7 pm at Kalow & Springut; free for AABANY members, 1.5 ethics credits available.

May 18 – Asian American Journalists Association of New York hosts a Trivia Bowl, at ABC News Studios, starting at 6 pm. Juju Chang will be the MC, and AABANY is fielding a team. Sitting New York APA judges will be serving as judges for the event.

May 18-20 – NYSBA Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Spring Meeting, in association with the Young Lawyers Section, at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. Past President and current Judiciary Committee Co-Chair James Chou will be speaking on Sunday morning on the panel entitled, “Your Path Through the Court and to the Bench: What You Need to Know to Get Through a Day in Court.”

May 22, Asian American Arts Alliance (a4), Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and AABANY present: “Revisiting Vincent: The Legacy of the Vincent Chin Case 30 Years Later,” a re-enactment of the Vincent Chin trial, with introduction and talkback led by Hon. Denny Chin and Dean Frank Wu, at New York Law School, starting at 6:30 pm. Tickets now available for purchase in advance.

May 23 – AABANY’s Government and Public Sector Committee presents a CLE program entitled “Everyday Ethics for the Government & Public Sector Attorney,” to be held at Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman, starting at 6 pm. Free for AABANY members with 2.0 ethics CLE credits available.

May 24 – AABANY’s Litigation Committee hosts a Happy Hour at the Hill on 29th and Third Ave., starting at 6:30 pm. Meet and mingle with members of the Litigation Committee.

May 24 – AALDEF’s Young Professionals Committee and Cadwalder Wickersham & Taft host a screening of the documentary “Sing Your Song,” about Harry Belafonte and his role in fighting for civil rights for all Americans. AALDEF Staff Attorney Jerry Vattamala will take part in a Q&A after the screening and discuss the legacy of Harry Belafonte’s activism and its meaning for today’s generation.

May 30 – AABANY joins the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) in hosting the Annual Summer Reception, open to the legal community and law students. It will take place at Edwards Wildman Palmer starting at 6 pm, and there is no cost to attend but RSVP is required by May 25.

May 31 – June 2: NAPABA Eastern Super Regional Conference, hosted by APALA-NJ at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Many AABANY members and leaders will be there, speaking on panels and reconnecting with NAPABA friends. Registration now open.

It’s another event-filled APA Heritage Month. We hope to see you at one or more of the great programs listed above!