Asian Counseling and Referral Service is a non-profit social service agency for King County’s Asian Pacific American community. Its mission is to promote social justice and the well being and empowerment of Asian Pacific American individuals, families and communities – including immigrants, refugees and native born – by developing, providing and advocating for innovative, community-based multilingual and multicultural services.
ACRS provided hope and opportunity in 30 languages to 21,468 low-income people in 2006. People of all generations and from various parts of Washington come to knowledgeable and caring ACRS staff for a variety of issues. They leave with the tools, skills and confidence to face life’s challenges.
Healthy Mind and Body to Stay Safe, Stable and Independent
• 2,818 elders and adults with disabilities were connected
with caregivers who spoke their language, received home visits from ACRS’
nursing team and assistance with their basic needs to stay healthy in
their own homes.
• In 2006, Aging and Adult Services started the New Freedom Waiver
Program to promote client choice and empowerment. Through the program,
clients use a set monthly budget amount and “shop” for services
to meet their needs,.
• Culturally competent professionals helped 3,572 adults and 288
youth and their families cope with a range of behavioral health
issues and stabilize their lives. Services integrate Eastern modes of
treatment, such as acupuncture, and cultural activities so clients can
practice their cultural traditions and build their self-esteem. Bilingual
case managers also help them find housing and other resources.
• With funding from the Washington State Division of Alcohol and
Substance Abuse, ACRS conducted a multi-lingual outreach campaign to raise
the public’s awareness about problem gambling and available
resources. In 2006, it served 12% of the people in the state seeking treatment.
• People battling chemical dependency, and people affected by substance
abuse worked towards a better life by getting culturally competent
treatment and recovery services at ACRS. With funding from the state Department
of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, ACRS placed five of its counselors at
seven King County Community Service Offices to link people who are receiving
public benefits to treatment services.
• 62 people completed ACRS’ Domestic Violence Batterers’
Treatment. ACRS has one of the highest completion rates for court-mandated
training in the state. Broader community education goes hand in hand with
this program in order to prevent future violence in the community. ACRS’
Teen Peer Advocates also conducted presentations to hundreds youth and
increased their awareness about the dangers of dating violence and sexual
assault, and how to stay safe and healthy.
Food for Survival and Culture
• 4,809 low-income households were able to get rice, other Asian/Pacific
staples and nutritious sack lunches through the ACRS Food Bank and
Emergency Feeding Program.
• 972 elders stayed healthy and avoided isolation through weekly
meal programs where they ate nutritious ethnic food, exercised and socialized
with their peers.
• The 2006 Walk for Rice raised over $115,000 for the ACRS
Food Bank to purchase and distribute rice and other culturally appropriate
staples to low-income people. The annual event also received the Food
Lifeline Excellence Award for Community Resource Development.
Building Blocks for Success and Realizing Dreams
• 145 youth became stronger leaders, more connected with their community
and received academic support to stay in school through ACRS Children,
Youth and Family Program.
• In 2006, ACRS responded to increased bullying of Sikh youth by
partnering with the Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington in Renton and
conducting workshops for parents on how to advocate for their children
and support their learning. It also connected them to other resources
to help their families.
• 713 adults increased their self-sufficiency by improving their
English and job skills and getting jobs through ACRS’ Vocational
and Employment Services. Of those clients who participated in intensive
job readiness training or literacy classes, 88% completed the course and
increased their job readiness and employability.
• With federal funding through the Seattle King County Workforce
Development Council, ACRS increased the access of limited-English-proficient
jobseekers to free vocational training and job placement assistance by
placing bilingual, bicultural vocational case managers at three WorkSource
office locations. It also developed bilingual job clubs/support groups
so jobseekers could get help addressing barriers to employment.
Stronger Communities through Civic Engagement
• ACRS’ Naturalization and Immigration Assistance Program
helped 658 immigrants – a 15% increase since 2005 – improve
their English, prepare to become U.S. citizens, and address a variety
of immigration needs.
• ACRS led the planning efforts to bring 2,500 people, including
ACRS clients and volunteers, from all over Washington for the annual Asian
Pacific American Legislative Day in Olympia. The event and continued
advocacy efforts convinced the Legislature to restore assistance to elders;
provide health care coverage for immigrant children; protect the civil
rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, and mental
health funding for people who do not qualify for Medicaid; and increase
funding for job training and English classes for immigrants and refugees.
• ACRS Executive Director Diane Narasaki was honored with the King
County Mental Health Advocacy Award, along with Consejo Executive
Director Mario Paredes, for her leadership in mobilizing people to protect
mental health funding for the most vulnerable populations. Bank of America
also awarded Ms. Narasaki with its Local Hero Award.
Information for Taking Action
• In partnership with the King County and Asian Bar Associations,
the International District Legal Clinic provided free legal advice
and workshops to 252 individuals.
• ACRS’ Information and Referral Line helped 5,244
callers connect with ACRS programs or other services in the community.
• ACRS provided cross-cultural consultation and education
to 997 people to improve their cultural competency in assisting Asian
Pacific Americans.
Services under One Roof for a Growing Community
• ACRS broke ground and began construction on its 82,000 square-foot
headquarters, which will allow it to expand services and provide its nationally
recognized programs to even more people.
• In 2006, ACRS received nearly $200,000 in new pledges or contributions
from private foundations, corporations and individuals to build ACRS’
new home in Rainier Valley, scheduled to open in 2008. Over $13.6
million or 71% of the $19.1 million goal had been raised by the end of
2006.
