AWUM 2014 Annual Report

PAR T I CI PANTS TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with AWUM was excellent. Because of limited English, you are always on top of my case in every step, taking away one stress off of me. I am so grateful for your agency to help such victim like myself. It is like your agency dug me out of my grave. Without your agency, I do not know how I would have been. I am working two jobs now; my oldest is in college now; and I have no time to be sad. Thank you very much.”

“I dreaded coming to the shelter but when I came to the House of Peace shelter and heard consoling voices I felt safe and a sense of relief. Thank you, AWUM, for providing me with so much love, care, emotional and legal support.

AWUM became home to me. I will cherish this organization ‘til the end of my life.”

MISSION

Asian Women United of Minnesota will end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian-Pacific Islander community.

VISION

We are the leader in eliminating violence in the Asian-Pacific Islander community, and share the expertise of our best practices with others. Using the strengths of the API community, AWUM will uphold an environment free of violence, promote self-sufficiency for women, and foster nurtured and healthy children and families.

BOARD PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER

Dear Supporters and Friends: Fiscal Year 2014 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015) Each year, we like to share with you something special that happened to complement Asian Women United of Minnesota’s perennial work.

Last year, over the period of August 2014 through June 2015, Asian Women United of Minnesota was honored to partner with COMPAS artist, Susan Armington, to provide an art therapy program called The Talking Suitcases Project.

The Talking Suitcases Project included a series of workshops centered on one or two theme questions such as: “What is precious to you?” Or, “What is a challenge that you survived?” Susan showed simple objects that she had made about her own life, and after sharing her own examples, Susan invited the women to use everyday materials like wood scraps, beads, fabric swatches, paper, boxes, wire, colored pencils, and hot glue to create objects to tell their own stories. Susan taught basic drawing and 3-D construction skills, and helped women translate their vision into physical art. Once all participants were ready, the women formed a circle discussion to reflect on the objects, take turns showing their work, and tell their stories.

The process of sharing was interactive, and often started with guessing what an object was, or giving a “one-word response” of what the viewer saw or felt. Each participant then told her story about the object, and at the final session, all of the women chose suitcases to incorporate into their projects, safely storing the art objects, and symbolically honoring themselves and all that they have endured.

The Talking Suitcases Project, while a creative program, became one of the more powerful forms of emotional support offered at the House of Peace. Working sideby-side in a warm, informal setting proved to be a natural invitation for women to share their hopes and heartaches without feeling judged or scrutinized.

We look forward to continued partnership with you in this work. Fiscal Year 2015 will be another year of hard/heart work, partnership, and creativity as we keep working toward ending domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian-Pacific Islander community, and beyond.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Cook Suzanne Cook Board Chair

Claudia R. Waring Claudia R. Waring Executive Director

AWUM F Y2014 HIGHLIGHTS

AW U M F R O M T H E H E A R T 2 0 1 4

On October 10, 2014 AWUM hosted “AWUM from the Heart” at the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis to raise funds to support women and their children fleeing domestic violence. The evening included a silent auction and a special performance by Lenora Lee, dance/choreographer from San Francisco. Deepest thanks to all our guests, donors & volunteers with special thanks to the pro-bono photographers!

Photos by Katherina Vang, Melissa Vang & Ramesh Harjani.

AWUM F Y2014 HIGHLIGHTS

M A N F O R WA R D D I G I T A L V I S U A L P O E M

AWUM produced Man Forward, a digital visual poem written and performed by Tou Saiko Lee, exploring the many dimensions of masculinity and family violence, while attempting to build awareness about what it means to be a man as we acknowledge that unhealthy ideas and attitudes about manhood have a direct connection to violence against women and girls.

Photo by Nancy Wong.

AWUM F Y2014 HIGHLIGHTS

T H E TA L K I N G S U I T C A S E S ™ P R O J E C T

From August 2014 through June 2015, AWUM partnered with COMPAS artist, Susan Armington, to provide an art therapy program at the House of Peace called The Talking Suitcases Project. Susan taught basic drawing and 3-D construction skills, and asked some process questions while accompanying participants to translate their responses and vision into physical art. They then reflected together in a circle discussion on the objects, taking turns to show their work and tell their stories. The process of sharing was interactive. At the final session, each woman chose a suitcase to incorporate into their project, safely storing the art objects, and symbolically honoring themselves and all that they have endured. The project was very well received and served to be a powerful way to emotionally support our participants as they heal from the violence and move forward in their lives.

Photos by Nancy Wong.

AWUM F Y2014 HIGHLIGHTS

D O T H E A S I A N T H I N G I N H AWA I I

In collaboration with the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, O’ahu) and Asian American Press, AWUM photographed University of Hawaii students and collected their views about promoting safe and healthy relationships.

“Do the Asian Thing” engages young Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) to elevate the social discourse about safe and healthy relationships within the API experience; this includes expanding or redefining cultural traditions and what it means to be Asian when it comes to romantic and familial connections.

Photos by Nancy Wong.

“ W H AT D O E S A S A F E A N D H E A LT H Y R E L AT I O N S H I P L O O K A N D F E E L L I K E T O YO U ? ”

Ms. Jeannie Ramelb Majors: Mathematics and German “Cuddling, lots of laughing, funny jokes, debating and not arguing, working with each other, praising each other, motivating each other to do well.”

Mr. Kenzli Dana, Major: Communications “Having honesty in a relationship helps. Every now and again, one or both partners renew or remind each other about what attracted them to each other in the first place.”

VOLUNTEERS TESTIMONIALS

Ms. Naly Vang, Volunteer “I really enjoyed working with such wonderful staff who were friendly, kind, and patient with me.

Volunteering at AWUM was my first time dealing with clients and being able to help those who are victims of domestic violence and abuse. Whenever I was hesitant about anything, an advocate was always willing to help me. I also enjoyed being able to help residents at AWUM with miscellaneous small tasks when I was onsite.”

Ms. Christine Liesener, Volunteer “The staff, other volunteers, and residents and their children really welcomed me, and I loved the relational atmosphere that I felt while at AWUM. My favorite thing was interacting with the women and children, especially the kids.

I really love kids, and it was just so special for me to develop a relationship with them.”

HOUSE OF PEACE (HOP)

Temporary emergency shelter Women’s support group & ELL (English Language Learner) classes Assistance in obtaining an Order for Protection (OFP) or Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) Assistance in filing for financial assistance & reparations claims Legal referrals for family and immigration law 24-hour multi-lingual crisis line Safety planning Children’s group activities

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (CAP)

Legal (criminal & civil court) advocacy Sexual assault advocacy Assistance with immigration services On-going follow-up services Violence prevention & outreach in the API community Support groups in schools Training for service providers Community dialogues & education on domestic violence within the API communities

PA R T I C I PA N T S T O TA L S

HOUSE OF PEACE (HOP)

189 shelter residents (82 women & 107 children)

Support groups meetings: 88 for women & 207 for children

Crisis calls: 719 callers

Resources calls: 691 referrals

Counseling/Therapy sessions: 154 for women & 14 for children

Pro-Bono Legal Clinic at shelter: 17 days

Volunteers/interns: 51 volunteers & 1 intern (1,279 hours total)

Talking Suitcases arts project: 82 women (8 meetings)

ELL classes: 70 women (17 classes)

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (CAP) 781 advocacy participants (666 women, 1 child & 114 men) Health fairs/booths: 268 visitors Trainings/presentations/groups: 358 attendees

FINANCIAL

INFO RMATIO N

G R A N T S , C O N T R A C T S , F O U N D AT I O N S :

City of Minneapolis - GTEAP (Grants to Encourage Arrest and Enforce Protection Orders: Office of Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice) FR Bigelow Foundation Hennepin County - Domestic Abuse Service Center (DASC) HRK Foundation Hennepin County Bar Foundation Otto Bremer Foundation Saint Paul Foundation State of Minnesota Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department of Justice (Office of Violence Against Women) Verizon Foundation WCA Foundation

FINANCIAL

INFO RMATIO N

SUPPORT AND REVENUE Government Grants Contributions Other Income (various sources)

$ 821,245 $ 127,271 $ 28

Total:

$ 948,544

Government Grants (87%) Contributions (13%) Other income (0%)

EXPENSE Program Services Management and Administration Fundraising

$ 820,358 $ 85,106 $ 12,051

Total:

$917,515

Program Services (89%) Management and Administration (9%) Fundraising (1%)

FINANCIAL

INFO RMATIO N

ASSETS Current Assets: Cash Accounts Receivable Prepaid Expenses Leasehold Improvement & Equipment - Net

$ 100,072 $ 63,770 $ 48,856 $ 111,106

Total Assets:

$ 320,804

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses Accrued Salaries & Vacation Refundable Advances Total Current Liabilities Net Assets: Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets

$ 192,836 $ 49,165 $ 242,001

Total Liabilities & Net Assets:

$ 320,804

$ 6,845 $ 14,565 $ 38,349 $ 19,044 $ 78,803

2014 FISCAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL CASH & IN-KIND DONORS:

SamSam Abdikarim John Abress (Aria Law Firm) Rima Ali Dorothy Anderson Kristine Arneson Carol K. Arthur Melissa Avery Gail Chang Bohr Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery Karen Bridges & John Giles Cassie Bros Karen Claire Calicdan Jamie Chai Raj M. Chaudhary Cindy Chen Heidi Chen Sunthi Chookiatsiricha Regina M. Chu Suzanne Cook Cheryl Cortez Kate Cummings Elizabeth Cutter Dairy Queen - East Lake Street Sonia Davila-Williams Nikki Dietz Dino’s Nicholas Dolan Clara Eagon Sandra Erickson Lynette Fagerberg Rachael Finglovsky Angela Jones Flanaghan Agnes Fok

Innesa Galdayera Dana Gillespie Colleen Gjerdahl Guthrie Theater Janet & Hartono Halim Shelby Hanssen Savita & Ramesh Harjani Christopher Haug Stephanie Hawkinson Aria Hedtke (Aria Law Firm) Amy Her Dolly Her Gaoly Her Lou Her Nu Her Panu Her Sia Her James Hodges Marian Holmquist Lee Hutton, III David Ingham Helen Ingham Izzy’s Ice Cream Cheryl L. Jensen Nayana Jha Sipra Jha Yamini Jha-Korman & Dan Korman Courtney Johnson Irene Kao Timothy Keane Tasya Kelen Pamela Khang Connie M. Korman

2014 FISCAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL CASH & IN-KIND DONORS:

Katelyn Korman Renu Kumar Kristi Lahti-Johnson Asata Jalloh Cheng Y. Lee Jim Lee May Lee Paying Lee Phoua Lee Porsha (Aria Law Firm) Laura Lehrer Christine Liesener Alicia Lim Yuexian Lin Joan Linck Hunter London Sheng Lor Ada Lu Dave & Judy Lucking Monica Dooner Lundgren Celeste Finn Lyon Mara Mi Sarah Mauser Dominique Mazloom Haley Meissner Milio’s Sandwiches Minnesota Lynx Minnesota Timberwolves Cathy Missaghi Nanette Graves Missaghi Afagh Mohajeri Danielle Molina Emilee Molsather

Ann Moore Chong Moua Pang Moua Lucas Munn Carolyn Nayematsu Willard W. & Jeanne Nelson Cindy Ng Justine Vi-Anh Ngo Jennifer Nguyen Ruby Nguyen Amy Nop Yvonne Olsen Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Angela Ouyang Ben Pabich Sharmistha Patnaik Monique Patterson Gregory R. Paul Peace Coffee Robin Phlllips Aaron Powell Pattie Rhein Matthew S. Robinson Helen Rubenstein Janine Ryan Lacna (Lana) & Lee Saythong Joy Schommer Molly Schwartz Science Museum of Minnesota Diane Seep Neelam & Arun Singh Chantha Sok Kris Solz

2014 FISCAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL CASH & IN-KIND DONORS:

Gerald J. Stahl Joseph Stahl & Lida Etemad Karl Starr Craig Steiner Jim Street Ann Sullivan Duraikkannan Sundarackannan Surdyk’s Drs. Robyn Tabibi & Dain Meyer Vanessa G. Tennyson Dolkar Tenzin Frances Tierney Kathryn Mary Tierney & David Tierney Samantha Tonnell Susan Tonnell Sabrina Townsend Deborah Tung & Daniel Wentworth University of Minnesota Football Hlee Vang Katherina Vang Maiker Vang Melissa Vang Naly Vang Stella Vang

Dotty Veldey-Jones Deepak Verma Neng Vue Bea N. Vue-Benson Kathy Walen Josie Walters Grace A. Wang Anne & Michael Waring Claudia Waring Hailey Weckwerth Ada & Mark Wong Grace & Paul Wong Nancy Wong Melissa Wright Valerie & Ken Wurster Jean Xiong Xee Xiong Bau Yang Christina Yang Chue Yang Joua Yang Ka Yang Ruby Vang Yang Germaine Yeoh

LEADERSHIP

2014 FY Board of Directors Kris Arneson Regina Chu, Secretary Sue Cook, Treasurer Gloria Fressia Ruby Nguyen, President

2014 FY Lead Staff Sipra Jha, Shelter Director Lucas (Louie) Munn, Facilities Supervisor Shoua Kong, CAP Lead Claudia R. Waring, Executive Director Nancy Wong, Communications Manager

AWUM, P.O. Box 6223, Minneapolis, MN 55406 24-Hour Crisis: 612-724-8823 Office: 612-724-0756, Fax: 612-729-0660 E-mail: awum@awum.org, Website: www.awum.org Designed by Nan Sinchai | nansinchai.com