In Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

5.04.2022 — LISC StoriesFinancial Stability

May has been designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The month is a time to acknowledge the hardships, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, who all contribute to a rich American culture. The 2010 U.S. Census reports that Asians are the fastest-growing racial group in the country, comprising 18.2 million people, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders accounting for 1.4 million Americans.

LISC LA partner, the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP), is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Asian Pacific Islanders and other under-served communities with substance abuse services throughout Los Angeles County. Its mission since 1972 has been about improving community health through prevention education, treating substance abuse, and facilitating economic development to increase job skills and employment opportunities. With AADAP's motto of "People Need People," their programs have expanded to include HIV/AIDS outreach, Drug Court Services for the Inglewood Municipal Courts, tobacco education, and a for-profit business venture- MTC Construction. Their commitment to prevention and treatment also includes efforts to increase occupational and financial opportunities for all people experiencing addiction to provide a community network of support. Programs and services are provided to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, 1 in 7 (14.2% or 106k) struggled with illicit drugs or alcohol use. Speaking on the Prevention 365 podcast "How to take action against overdose deaths," AADAP's Development Director Paulina Hong stated that a new government report revealed that the annual overdose death rate has doubled in the United States from 2015 to 2021. "A new study has also shown opioid deaths among Black Americans or African Americans has increased more than three times the rate of white Americans between 2007 and 2019 and even more so when you can see that increase or that higher rate amongst Latino populations and Asian Americans as well," she asserted.

These factors, along with language barriers and lack of awareness of the available resources, make the work of AADAP even more critical. "AADAP has for the last 50 years been providing whole-person care. That's everything from the treatment side to prevention. So talking with individuals to make sure they're not even starting with substances, to giving them a place for treatment on all different levels, and even afterward, supporting the recovery process and finding jobs and getting to that next stage of life," Paulina Hong noted.

AADAP is a notable leader in Crenshaw and greater South LA, has a diverse range of community partners, and has given back to the community since its inception. AADAP has successfully raised over $250,000 for AADAP via the LA Marathon, which has expanded its capacity to serve individuals and families across South LA.

LISC’s partnership with AADAP began when AADAP became a LISC LA Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) in 2021. Through the FOC model, AADAP is able to provide financial coaching,employment counseling, and income supports counseling to individuals and families across South Los Angeles. Their WorkSource Center provides job seekers with comprehensive career assessment and planning, job search assistance, resume, and job application development to job seekers. They also offer follow-up services where job seekers are provided a referral for supportive services that may be available in the community. Additional career counseling and information about further educational opportunities are also offered, including opportunities to become a certified nursing assistant. Career training programs are paired with financial coaching and income supports counseling to offer comprehensive set of FOC services that can improve an individual’s long-term financial and economic outcomes.

In Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Related Stories