Among the primary goals of Groundswell's (formerly known as OC Human Relations) Youth & Education Programs are decreasing hate-motivated behavior and activity among youth within middle school and high schools and building skills in conflict resolution and restorative dialogue among youth. We know hate incidents are rising among this age group, stemming from social distancing, prolonged lockdown, and the current socio-political climate.

When I was asked to share my experience with discrimination, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I reflected on the numerous incidents that occurred during my childhood, while I was in school, and during my career. I always thought it was something that I did to provoke these reactions, however, I learned that racism is systemic, and I experienced it because I was Asian and/or different!

Since the pandemic started, I dedicated much of my time to addressing the community's mental health needs, organizing the food distribution operation, addressing the increased suicide and isolation in the community, providing personal outreach to seniors, to individuals that have reached our office, and shared their needs in the community.

If you meet a Vietnamese person, it’s more than likely there is six degrees of separation (or less) to a nail salon. For me, that degree of separation is one. My sister and I often reminisce about the memories of growing up in mom's nail salon and how those years shaped who we are today. Our jobs were simple and standard. Fill acetone bottles and pedicure tubs. Organize magazines and nail polish. Fold towels. Greet the clients with a smile and offer them water. Mom worked long hours so we spent a lot of time there.

As part of VAAMA's series highlighting organizations that make a significant impact in reducing hate and violence while fostering community healing through practical support services, we turn our spotlight to two organizations: Moving Forward Psychological Institute and Groundswell. These organizations have achieved substantial progress in providing social services and mental support to youth and seniors.

Poor mental health, suicidal thoughts are increasing- Overall, young people experiencing a level of trauma/distress that requires action.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021, in which the CDC disclosed alarming data that documented that rates of violence and worsening cases poor mental health, continued to rise among female and LGBQ+ adolescents.

With the surge of Asian hate crimes in the past few years, senior citizens have been particularly vulnerable. According to a new report released by Stop AAPI Hate, one out of four hate crime cases against adults aged 60 and up were physical assaults.

In its inaugural year, ACT Against Hate Alliance starts an initiative featuring 10 segment programs to address the alarming rise in hate crimes in California and across the United States. These webinars aim to bring together ethnic media, community leaders, educators, law enforcement experts, NGO representatives, and other important stakeholders.

It’s hoped that two bills together AB 2273 and AB 587 recently signed by Gov. Newsom will mark a major step forward to regulate Big Tech and address harm from social media

WASHINGTON – The Senate’s version of the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) was written to “provide the strongest protections possible while being very thoughtful to ensure the best legal defense” in the face of a possible litigated challenge, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Ca.) said.

On Lunar New Year’s eve, a loud sound was heard among a celebrating sound at Monterey Park. It wasn’t the sound of festival firecrackers as people initially thought. It was gun shoots and lives were taken from 11 people. A day later, a shooting spree occurred in Half Moon Bay, killing 7 and injuring 1. It was the Lunar New Year that every Asian will remember forever.

According to the FBI, over 10,000 people nationally reported to law enforcement in 2021 that they were victims of hate crimes because of their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion or disability.

In our efforts of informing the public about their rights and empowering them with the knowledge to combat hate crimes, VAAMA interviewed two supervisory special agents for the FBI: George Boykins and David Coloso. They are setting the record straight about hate incidents and hate crimes.

As part of the California’s Stop The Hate campaign, the purpose of this project is to highlight wonderful stories and discuss the synergy between mixed-race couples and their society through the “Stop the Hate- Date to Love” initiative. This story aims to profile a mixed-race household, how they got together, and how they navigate life as a couple and learn about the complexities and joys of their partnership.

On August 9th 2022, Ding Ding TV had nearly 40 people joining our Music Video recording. This song is created for Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley’s “Stop Asian Hate series” as the theme song, We’ll play and invite people to sing at each event, it also can be used for the multicultural community “Stop Asian Hate” activities. Together we deliver the message “All of Us Belong Right Here” to Stop The Hate.

Today, local, national or international tragedies happen so frequently that they can feel almost commonplace. When a hate crime, mass shooting, act of terrorism or other terrible and hate-inspired event occurs, one of the first questions many people ask is, what should we tell the children? How can we explain to them what has happened?

Co-organized by VAALA and in support by OCAPICA, Yellow Submarine Rising Art Exhibition is the first of its kind, an inclusive art collection that addresses the theme of Asian Hate.

Everyone has a role in stopping hate and creating safe, inclusive communities. How can you take action against hate?

On October 22, 2022, at Park Place in Irvine, Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), along with representatives from the Office of Senator Dave Min hosted a community roundtable to announce their Stop The Hate funding to seven organizations in Orange County.

These questions appear on screen at beginning of my all-time favorite artist Halsey’s last show of their headlining tour. The same show where my friend and I experienced a hate incident on July 9th, 2022.