This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own!
Name: Kay Bounkeua
Position: Interim Executive Director at New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC)
Kay started working at NMAFC four years ago after graduating from University of Michigan School of Public Health with an MPH. She had a "calling" to return home to Albuquerque to do work with the community. Her head and heart were committed to supporting positive changes in her community.
A Latino serving organization reached out to Asian leaders about [domestic violence] needs in the community. The Asian American Association of New Mexico, which is a cultural based organization, saw this need. There was a need to talk about and address domestic violence in our community. NMAFC branched out from this association to focus on domestic violence. Since then we have grown to do other work that resonates with our community.The community was initially apprehensive because they didn't want to talk about DV and sexual assault.
I enjoying looking at ways to make change in my community. The opportunity to make change is exciting to me…working with the community for me is exciting because I'm able to plant seeds with people with similar mind sets, get them amped up to make change…It's important to understand that there aren't spaces in Albuquerque for our communities to gather and activate. Creating a space for our communities to come together is very exciting to me. This is so important for Albuquerque, where we're an emerging Asian community that has a voice.
Initially I felt overwhelmed because I've never seen that many Asians in one room. It was so powerful for me. When I saw these many people in one room, it was great and powerful to not feel alone...the Health Through Action (HTA) experience, meeting was inspiring."
I attribute a lot of our successes because of APIAHF. We have received lots of moral support, technical assistance, and [they] connected us to things that were happening nationally.Being in New Mexico can be isolating but, APIAHF came to support us and encourage us to see what's going beyond our city and state. Bringing that back and tailoring it for our communities has been very empowering.APIAHF has encouraged us to grow from our initial program direction and thinking beyond direct services, thinking more broadly, and thinking of systems. [They] helped us to broaden our perspective.
What's so impressive is that I have direct access to APIAHF staff: Kathy, Ed, Marianne, Pedro, you all answer and respond! You are so accessible to me and I am grateful to you all.APIAHF's leadership team took our technical assistance a step further by connecting me to a coach. I also appreciate Ed taking the time to send me a book about leadership.
The Immigrant Network in Albuquerque. 2015 will have implications in how New Mexico deals with immigration. It is important that the state not only see immigration reform as a border issue or a Spanish speaking issue. The state must see this as an issue that affects our communities as well. I'm very excited about this network.
To be intentional about celebrating the wins we've had this past year. We need to step back, pause, and reflect about our accomplishments and be grateful and celebrate.
Click Here to Learn More About APIAHF's Giving Tuesday Campaign
bit.ly
Help us support more programs and community-based organizations like the New Mexico Asian Family Center by donating to the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.
Health is wealth, your generosity matters.
Share This Article
