Alta Housing’s Resident Services Newsletter April/May 2021 A Message of Solidarity All of us at Alta Housing are deeply saddened by the increasing violence and hate crimes against the AAPI community and our society in general. We condemn all of these attacks and call for their end. In our work, we spend most of our time thinking about building and operating safe and inclusive communities where individuals and families can thrive. It is our mission to create diverse communities where all members feel empowered, respected, and secure. We believe that these fundamental rights are essential. We are honored to have many Asian American and Pacific Islander households among our staff and residents and value their contributions to Alta Housing and the Bay Area community. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. In addition to condemning these acts of racism, we believe that all of us must act to stop them. Through open conversation, sharing and education, we can be a more accepting and tolerant community. We can all be role models to help root out racism and promote acceptance of different cultures, values, and personal identities. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Recent events remind us of
Personal Safety Tips Let’s look at some safety suggestions you can put into place to keep you protected when walking alone: ● ALWAYS stay alert and aware of your surroundings, when you are walking anywhere alone. ● If possible, walk with a friend. ● Hold your purse, backpack, wallet, any belongings close to your body and in sight. ● Keep your cell phone handy Free KeyChain Alarms: If you would like a keychain alarm to carry for your personal safety, please see your Service Coordinator, we have them available to any Alta Housing resident who would like one.
Be an Upstander: Stand up for what’s right Here are some ways you can help respond to racism and build the safe and peaceful communities we all deserve. Here are 4 strategies you can use to assist if you witness someone being harassed or attacked: ●
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Distract (Yell, “the cops are here!” or cause a scene by breaking or dropping something to distract the attacker) Direct (Yell directly at the attacker “stop what you are doing!”) if you feel safe to do so Delegate (Tell someone nearby--Alert a store manager, bus driver, or someone else to help intervene) Document (use your cell phone and take video or photos of the incident from a safe distance)
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