Tag: community service

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the July 16 Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan

We extend our since gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic in Manhattan on July 16th, 2025.

During the clinic, our volunteers provided invaluable assistance to clients with issues ranging from housing, personal injury, finance, and immigration. The experienced volunteer attorneys, shadowers, and interpreters assisted each client in reducing their stress by offering legal insight, language assistance, and a diverse pool of legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law students contributed significantly by gathering valuable legal knowledge and experience through shadowing and notetaking. They also provided much-needed linguistic and translational support as interpreters. Numerous clients had difficulty communicating fluently in English, and the Mandarin and Cantonese speaking students offered substantial assistance to their attorneys and clients.

The most frequently-raised issues during this clinic involved housing (such as retroactively-raised rents)  and personal injuries (such as high medical expenses). Many clients struggled to understand their rights and legal documents (especially those involving transactions) due to inexperience in legal matters and limited English proficiency. We provided each client with satisfactory, step-by-step legal and personal guidance to ensure that they fully understood their case and if needed, connect them with lawyers for potential litigation.

Many volunteers stayed after to celebrate another successful Pro Bono Clinic. Both the attorneys and students enjoyed this time to network and connect with each other.

We thank again all the volunteers at the July 16th Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic for their time, professionalism, and contribution:

Volunteer Attorneys:

Marcus Cheung

Beatrice Leong

Mike Tse

Yilan Wang

Anthony Wong

Shadowers/Interpreters:

Sisu Chou

Katelyn Hai

Kenny Ip

Emily Lai

Dazhen Lu

Priyanka Mukhara

Carrie Nie

Tammy Tam

Albert Tong

Jennifer Juang-Korol

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

August 6th [Queens link here] from 6:30-8:30 pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355 

August 20th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 13 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for their commitment to Pro Bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the July 12th, 2025 Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn

AABANY extends our sincerest gratitude to the Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), CPC Brooklyn Community Center, and all the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic on July 12, 2025. We also express our heartfelt appreciation to our distinguished guest speakers, NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Manuel Castro and Lydia Li, Senior Manager of Community Outreach at MOIA, for their support and valuable participation.

Lydia Li, Senior Manager of Community Outreach at MOIA, spoke passionately about the agency’s mission to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, have access to city resources and services. MOIA plays a vital role in serving New York City’s 3.1 million immigrants, comprising 38% of the city’s population, by connecting immigrant communities to essential resources for navigating the city’s complex system—all while protecting their privacy, including their immigration status. MOIA’s multilingual team, proficient in over eight different languages, provides diverse language assistance to those with limited English proficiency.

As an active member of the outreach team, Lydia helps dismantle barriers by giving presentations and organizing events, webinars, and panel discussions to share the resources that MOIA offers for the immigrant community. Additionally, MOIA operates immigration legal support centers that provide free and safe legal assistance in immigrant neighborhoods. One of the key resources highlighted is the 311 hotline, which callers can use to report incidents of racial discrimination, report immigration fraud, or receive referrals for legal resources. Lydia concluded her presentation by distributing pamphlets and brochures that outline the various resources available to immigrants, including their rights if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. To learn more about MOIA legal support centers and resources, visit their website here.

Commissioner Castro shared his personal journey as an immigrant, highlighting the challenges of arriving in the United States and growing up in Sunset Park. His experience motivated his mission to protect the rights of immigrant communities across New York City. As an advocate, he marveled at the transformative potential of immigration, stating, “[o]ne generation can go from living in an indigenous community to immigrating here and becoming practicing attorneys. It’s tremendous and we need to honor that. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing it, and I wish everyone could experience it.”

When asked what inspired him to enter government, Commissioner Castro explained how serving in the government offers him a unique perspective on the intricacies of internal operations—insights that are not typically taught in academia. He emphasized that his role as New York City Immigrant Affairs Commissioner allowed him to interact directly with a wide range of communities, which he believes reflect the city’s diversity and strength. As an advocate, he firmly believes that this is what New York City should take pride in and strive to preserve.

.

Similarly, our Pro Bono Clinic shares a commitment to providing accessible legal support and critical resources to our New York communities. During the clinic, our volunteers met with clients to give consultations on various topics such as immigration, trusts and estates, housing, personal injury, family and matrimonial matters. Our volunteer attorneys, assisted by law students, listened to each client’s concerns and legal questions, provided guidance, legal information, consultations, and, if appropriate, connected them with further resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law student volunteers also shadowed volunteer attorneys and assisted with interpretation and client intake. With the help of multilingual volunteers, the clinic is able to offer language-accessible legal information, ensuring that clients can communicate their concerns clearly and receive meaningful assistance.

Thank you again to all of our volunteers at the July 12 Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys:

Vishal Chander

Victoria Cheng 

Francis Chin

Rocky Chin 

Jenny (Wenjing) Dai

Megan Gao

Jack (Zixu) Hsia

Beatrice Leong 

Kwok Kei Ng

Shuyao (Sherry) Wang 

Carrey Wong

Gary Yeung 

Interpreters/Shadowers:

Sam Chen 

Eliana Jeong 

Emily Kam

Nandar Win Kerr

Emily Lai

Tammy Tam

Albert Tong 

Shang Zhai 

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming Pro Bono Clinics:

August 6th [Queens link here] from 6:30-8:30 pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355 

August 20th [Manhattan link here] from 6:30-8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002

September 13 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Thanks once again to all our volunteers for their commitment to Pro Bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the June 18th, 2025 Pro Bono Clinic in Manhattan

AABANY extends our sincerest gratitude to the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and all of our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our Pro Bono Legal Clinic on June 18th, 2025. 

During the clinic, our volunteers met with clients addressing issues ranging from housing, real property, financial, family and matrimonial matters. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated exceptional expertise in addressing client concerns, answering legal questions, and connecting them with legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

College and law student volunteers gained valuable hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by underserved individuals in the Asian American and Pacific Islander  community. By shadowing the volunteer attorneys, the student volunteers assisted with client intake and helped translate the consultations. A frequent issue clients faced at this clinic were overdue rent and unexpected payment notices. Due to the linguistic barriers that many clients faced, they often struggled to understand their rights, which led to ineffective communication with landlords and housing authorities. This confusion contributed to heightened stress about their circumstances. Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters played a crucial role in clarifying legal obligations and guiding clients through potential future steps. 

We are dedicated to providing services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure support for individuals who may struggle to obtain quality legal services due to linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking guidance concerning substantive laws and procedural issues.

Thank you again to all of our volunteers at the June 18 Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys

Justin Lee 
Beatrice Leong 
Lily Li
Bich-Nga Nguyen 
Cynthia Park 
Tammy Tran 
Mike Tse
Chenyi Wang
May Wong
Gary Yeung 
Jungeun “Evelyn” Yu 
Francis Chin

Interpreters/Shadowers

Sisu Chou
Katelyn Hai 
Emily Kam 
Nandar Win Kerr
Nikita Kohli
Emily Lai
Nasirn (Nienyin) Lin 
Carrie Nie 
Christine Shea 
Tianyuan Shu 
Tammy Tam
Albert Tong 
Shang Zhai
Kenny Ip

We invite you to continue supporting our community by joining us at our upcoming pro bono clinics:

July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30-2:30 pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 

July 16 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30-8:30 pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 

August 6th [Queens link here] from 6:30-8:30 pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355 

Thank you once again to all our volunteers for their commitment to pro bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! 

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit  probono.aabany.org.

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the June 4th Pro Bono Clinic in Queens

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to AABANY, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), and our dedicated volunteers for contributing to the success of our pro bono legal clinic in Queens on June 4, 2025. Thanks to your support, our team of volunteers was able to meet with 15 clients and provide assistance on a range of legal issues, including housing and real property, consumer debt, family and matrimonial matters, and civil litigation.

Our volunteer attorneys and interpreters demonstrated great care and expertise in addressing the concerns of our clients. They offered clear explanations and effectively connected individuals with appropriate legal resources through AABANY’s Legal Referral and Information Service (LRIS).

We remain dedicated to providing services in both Mandarin and Cantonese to ensure we can continue to support individuals facing linguistic or cultural barriers when seeking legal guidance.

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of our volunteer attorneys at the June 4th Queens Pro Bono Clinic:

Volunteer Attorneys
Wendy (Wen-Hsien) Cheng
Kevin Hsi
Richard In
David Mou
Johnny Thach
May Wong
Gary Yeung
Jungeun Yu
Meng Zhang
Interpreters/Shadowers
Nikita Kohli
Emily Lai
Christine Shea
Albert Tong

We invite you to join us for our upcoming pro bono clinics:

  • June 18 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk Street, NY, NY 10002 
  • July 12 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
  • August 6 [Queens link here], from 6:30 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Thank you once again for your commitment to pro bono service and for making a meaningful difference in our community.

We look forward to your participation in our future clinics! 

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit  probono.aabany.org.

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the November 9th Pro Bono Clinic in Brooklyn!

On Saturday, November 9th, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at AABANY’s Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic, hosted by the Chinese-American Planning Council. The Clinic was organized by AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service (PBCS) Committee, staffed by a dedicated team of attorney and non-attorney volunteers, offering free thirty-minute legal consultations for community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 17 clients, who had questions about torts, family, matrimonial, and immigration issues.

As usual, the Clinic facilitated a positive and supportive environment; each client was paired with an attorney, who thoughtfully listened to and addressed their legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys in action, taking notes and learning from these real-world interactions. Language interpreters were also available, ensuring that there were no language barriers between clients and attorneys. This collaboration reflected the Clinic’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment.

Thank you again to our volunteer attorneys: 

Volunteer Attorneys
Anna Chen
Jieman Tan
Gary Yeung
May Wong
Interpreters & Shadowers
Jaymark Hawlader
Junjie Wang
Nandar Win Kerr
Wendy Zeng

If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono Clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events:

  • Wednesday, December 4, 2024 [register here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
  • Saturday, January 11, 2025 [register here], from 12:00 – 2:30pm, Tentative Location – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 

We hope to see you there!

To learn more about the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, visit probono.aabany.org.

Posted on

Thank You to Our Volunteers at the October 2nd Pro Bono Clinic in Flushing, Queens!

On Wednesday, October 2nd, AABANY members had the opportunity to volunteer at the AABANY Queens Pro Bono Clinic hosted by the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) Community Center in Flushing. The clinic brought together AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee along with a team of dedicated volunteers to offer free legal consultations to community members facing pressing legal challenges. The volunteers met with 19 clients addressing a variety of issues including housing, divorce, and immigration law. These are the kinds of problems that weigh heavily on people’s lives, both financially and emotionally.

The clinic had a vibrant atmosphere of support and collaboration. Each client was paired with an attorney who took the time to provide thoughtful advice on their specific legal concerns. Shadowers observed the attorneys, eagerly taking notes and learning from real-world interactions. Interpreters fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin were also on hand, ensuring that language barriers didn’t hinder effective communication between clients and their attorneys. This collaborative effort made the clinic a true reflection of community engagement and empowerment.

These interactions went far beyond simple legal advice. Each conversation was a reminder that this clinic isn’t just about solving legal matters—it’s about giving people the power to reclaim control over situations that often feel overwhelming. For many clients, it was the first time they realized they weren’t alone, and that there were resources and options available. A consultation could shift the entire course of someone’s life, offering not just answers, but hope.

Clients expressed their gratitude with comments like, “Thank you very much to the clinic and lawyer Gary Yeung for their help,” and “I appreciate your effort.” These heartfelt messages show the impact of the clinic and the commitment of everyone involved in making it a success.

Thank you again to the following volunteers:

Volunteer attorneys

  • Beatrice Leong
  • Gary Yeung
  • Lina Lee
  • May Wong
  • Richard In
  • Shirley Luong

Interpreters & Shadowers

  • Jaymark Hawlader
  • Xuxia Zhao
  • Eugene Seong

If you’re interested in making a difference in the community through future Pro Bono clinics, we invite you to join us at the following upcoming events: 

November 9, 2024 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:00 – 3:30pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232

December 4, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355

Posted on

AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee Hosts Inaugural Rooftop Fundraiser for Pro Bono Clinic

On Wednesday July 24th, 2024 AABANYs Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted their inaugural rooftop fundraiser, holding a silent auction and collecting donations to contribute towards the committee’s Pro Bono Clinics. AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic provides free legal services and information for low- to middle-income members of the community, including New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Skilled legal practitioners as well as non-legal volunteers all contribute their time and effort in support of the clinics. 

The event was hosted at the Lookup, a rooftop bar atop the Kixby Hotel with a spectacular view of the Empire State Building. Complimentary food and beverages were served featuring exotic cocktails and mocktails, as well as elevated American Classics like grilled cheese and lobster rolls.

The guests in attendance ranged from AABANY Co-Founder Rocky Chin, law school students, practicing attorneys, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen, current and former Co-Chairs of the PBCS Committee, numerous AABANY members, as well as high school and college students. Everyone mixed and mingled, exchanging colorful anecdotes and reuniting with old friends, while bidding on the silent auction items.

The following bidding items, were all donated by prominent members of the legal and AABANY community for the silent auction to raise funds for the Pro Bono Clinic:

  • Pre-nuptial or postnuptial agreement, from consultation, negotiations, to execution was generously donated by Beatrice Leong 
  • Two admission tickets to Summit Vanderbilt were generously donated by Dianna Lam 
  • One day golf experience for 2 people, including admission to golf course, cart and equipment rentals, and dinner, was donated by Hardy Zhou
  • One hour virtual private chess training was donated by Hassan Minhas
  • Two hour private kung fu/defense class was donated by Joseph Eng, President of AABANY
  • Thirty minute resume review by professional headhunter/legal recruiter was donated by Katherine Loanzon
  • $100 Skyfoods Supermarket Giftcard was donated by Kevin Yam
  • One handcrafted and customized artwork was donated by May Wong
  • A private yoga class was donated by Tsui Yee
  • A bottle of Ron Barcelo Blanco Rum was donated by Yan Sin

In total the event, through ticket sales, donations, and bids, raised $8,800 in contributions to the clinic. The winning bidders will be contacted separately by the PBCS Committee on how to claim their auction prizes. 

Throughout the night members of the PBCS Committee leadership gave speeches. Co-Chair Lina Lee began by applauding every volunteer, thanking them for their time and effort but especially their drive to go above and beyond for each client. Every lawyer that volunteered their time and expertise expressed a desire to do good for the community. Lina continued discussing the life-changing services the clinic provided, sharing anecdotes of young mothers, asylum seekers, new Americans, and recent immigrants who had desperately needed the legal services provided.

Next to speak was Co-Chair May Wong, who regaled the crowd with anecdotes on the portrait of Yang at the event and encouraged everyone present to bid on the auction item she had donated, which was a handcrafted and customizable piece of artwork created by her.

After May, Executive Director Yang Chen spoke on how the Pro Bono Clinic had grown from humble beginnings into an award- and grant-winning community project that helped hundreds upon hundreds of people yearly, growing from one clinic in Manhattan to three, covering Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. He mentioned that while free legal services were provided, it cost money to provide these services, and the generous donations of the many in-person and online attendees would help cover the costs of providing free legal services that the community sorely needs. 

Co-Chair Gary Yeung spoke next, discussing his personal experience with the clinic, how he grew as a legal professional as the legal clinic grew in prominence. Co-Chair Kwok Kei Ng closed for his fellow Co-Chairs by reiterating the praise for the volunteers and thanking all the guests for their support and attendance. 

The event continued into the onset of evening as the sun dipped below the rooftop’s view of the Manhattan skyline, bathing the sky in neon purples and oranges. Drinks, stories, and laughs continued to flow as the night slowly came to an end. 

AABANY gives a big thanks to AALFNY and Schulte. Roth & Zabel for co-sponsoring this event, everyone who donated items for the silent auction, those who attended the event and everyone who donated in person or online.

You can continue your support by donating here: https://probono.aabany.org/donate

Or, if easier but with fees-attached option, here: 

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/asian-american-law-fund-of-new-york-inc/pro-bono-legal-clinic-fundraiser-donations

Please join the PBCS Committee at the following upcoming events:

Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 7th, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9

Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on August 21st, 2024 at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9  
To learn more about AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee contact probono@aabany.org or click here.

Posted on

NAPABA Announcement: NAPABA Community Service Corps Makes History at Unity March

NAPABA is proud to have been an organizational partner for the Unity March this past Saturday [June 25], the first large mobilization of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) on the National Mall that brought people of all backgrounds together who care about advancing socioeconomic and cultural equity, racial justice, and solidarity. Executive Director Priya Purandare was quoted in the Washingtonian for this historic event. We thank our members who attended and volunteered in the summer heat. Your presence contributed to a larger movement, and we are grateful for all you do! If you missed the event or any remarks, a full livestream of the Unity March is available for viewing here.

Community Service Corps | #NAPABAinAction

The mobilization came at the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder, a critical turning point for the AAPI community. Chin’s murder, and the fact that his killers faced no jail time, highlighted the lack of a strong national voice for AAPIs within this country’s legal system. The case galvanized the community to action and this led to NAPABA’S founding in 1988 to give voice to values of justice, equity, and opportunity for AAPIs. Since that time, NAPABA has been strongly committed to civil rights advocacy.

We now stand at another turning point in history with the current rise in hate crimes targeting diverse communities. To take action and harness the power of our membership, we launched the NAPABA Community Service Corps to provide opportunities for NAPABA members to act for impact at the local and national levels. NAPABA Community Service Corps opportunities include hate crimes assistance and election protection efforts to fill the needs of the community.

NAPABA needs your help to form a national infrastructure of members committed to strengthening our communities. Will you join #NAPABAinAction? Learn more here and sign up on the Volunteer Now tab!

Posted on

AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee form The Pelican Brief team for the Bronx Zoo’s 5k, Run for the Wild

On Saturday, April 30, AABANY’s Pro Bono & Community Service Committee formed The Pelican Brief team for the Bronx Zoo’s Run for the Wild, a 5K Run and 3K Family Fun Run/Walk. This year, Run for the Wild is inspired by the beloved and endangered hornbills. The Pelican Brief ran, walked, or crawled to improve their well-being and mental health. The Pelican Brief team was happy to participate and support this great cause, and to network with each other in the process.

AABANY members Kevin Hsi, Thomas Hou, Nelson Mar, and May Wong showed up at 7am to show their support. In first place was Thomas Hou who finished the 5k at 9:06am. In second place was Nelson Mar who ran with a pulled hamstring, with his newborn Esperanza cheering him on from her stroller. Co-chairs, Kevin Hsi of the Government & Public Service Committee, and May Wong of the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee finished around late 9am.

Congratulations to The Pelican Brief who placed 19th out of the top 100 teams and raised $1,085 to support the hornbills! And congratulations to Thomas Hou, who placed 20th out of the top 100 participants and raised $890!

Please join the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee at our next event, the Queens Pro Bono Legal Clinic on Saturday, June 25. At these pro bono clinics, attorneys and staff provide free 30-minute legal information and referral sessions to limited English proficient (LEP) clients who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and/or Spanish, in matters relating to housing, family, consumer debt, estates, and immigration matters.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1632287. For more information, please contact PBCS at probono@aabany.org.

Proudly powered by WordPress