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Smiling members of the Korean American Family Service Center wearing matching purple hoodies with their slogan.

Supporting Survivors: The Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)

Korean American Family Service Center

New York, NY

“One of our most impactful moments this year involved J, a Korean immigrant survivor of domestic violence who also experienced racial harassment on public transit during the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents. J came to KAFSC deeply isolated—afraid not only of her abuser, but also of navigating public spaces in a language she did not speak fluently. Through our culturally and linguistically tailored services, J was connected to a Korean-speaking case manager who immediately provided emotional support, and safety planning.
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At the same time, J participated in one of our anti-hate community workshops, where she learned how to assert her rights, report incidents, and access translation assistance. The turning point came when J, once terrified to speak up, became an active participant in our support group and began mentoring other women. She recently shared that, for the first time, she feels ‘not just safe, but seen.’ Her journey underscores the importance of integrated, culturally grounded services that meet immigrant survivors where they are—and help them reclaim their voice.”

grant year
2025
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Members of VAI smile and pose together happily at a community event.

A New Model of Safety: VAI

Vietnamese Association of Illinois

Chicago, IL

Through grassroots organizing and multilingual community meetings, the Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI) is building a new model of safety, one led by neighbors and community. In Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, residents gather monthly to learn, connect and imagine what safety looks like when it’s shaped by the community itself. VAI has created community pods, small trusted networks of residents who stay connected, share information, and support one another in times of need. When a series of shootings shook the area, one community leader, S, reached out to her pod to check on neighbors and share what she knew. She had seen tensions rising in the days before and wanted others to stay alert and safe. Her response showed what VAI’s approach makes possible, a community where people look out for each other and act collectively to prevent harm. From de-escalation workshops to political education on housing and policy, VAI is transforming fear into participation, proving that community power is the foundation of safety.

grant year
2024
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California Logo

Professor Aki Maehara: AJSoCal

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California

Montebello, CA

On an April evening in Montebello, CA, Professor Aki Maehara, a 71 year old Japanese American veteran and history professor at East Los Angeles College, was riding his bike home from class when a driver struck him from behind. The driver shouted racial slurs before fleeing the scene, leaving Professor Maehara with severe injuries.
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TAAF grantee, Asian American Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSoCal) quickly mobilized to support Professor Maehara, managing media inquiries and advocating for the incident to be investigated as a hate crime. Through their advocacy, they ensured that Professor Maehara’s story was not just seen as an act of violence, but as a call to confront the racism that targets AAPI communities.Tristique dui posuere suspendisse tortor fermentum. Ullamcorper euismod ultrices non est ultricies felis convallis praesent posuere. Proin aliquet adipiscing sollicitudin vitae. Non nunc tristique vulputate lectus sed egestas donec malesuada. Volutpat sagittis cursus consectetur faucibus iaculis consectetur. Fermentum nisl turpis id faucibus vel diam proin pellentesque morbi. Nulla eros nulla sagittis phasellus bibendum.
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To help elevate the story and draw national attention, TAAF issued a public statement condemning the assault and highlighting the importance of accountability and safety for AAPI. This moment reflects what our grantees do every day, responding with compassion, courage and care to ensure that hate does not go unseen or unanswered.

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Happy members dining together at an event. They are smiling and clapping.

Stakeholder Mapping & Coalition Building

Maryland & Virginia

Our DMV grantees Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) & Hamkae Center have been working to build infrastructure in the area to support the AAPI community, and requested a technical assistance call for guidance in their power mapping exercise. After the call, TAAF coordinated an introduction call with one of our original Safety National Network (SNN) partners, Asian Health Services (AHS). AHS was able to advise them on not only completing their power map, but also shared their best practices on how they expanded their stakeholder reach and building the relationships that can increase overall impact.

The APALRC and its partner, Hamkae Center, created a stakeholder map that identifies and separates government agencies and CBOs into three areas: protection, prevention and response, and a final report outlining the findings that the programs had in developing a response team to incidents of anti-Asian hate. Additionally, the APALRC and Hamkae partnered on developing a draft of a Response Plan. 

The APALRC also met with DAYA, another national network partner in Houston, to learn how they built their coalition, and how they developed a protocol for responding to hate/bias incidents. Using this knowledge, the APALRC connected with local and state government agencies responsible for tracking and responding to hate/bias crimes, and to CBOs that could provide social and other services to victims of anti-Asian hate. During 2025, the APALRC joined state and local committees of hate/bias task forces, strengthened its relationship with CBO partners, such as the Asian/Pacific Islander Resource Project, and began to form relationships with other CBOs, such as the American Diversity Group in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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CAPI USA youth members posing and smiling together.

Right to Be Trainings: CAPI USA

Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants

Minnesota

At a Right to Be Bystander and Anti-Hate training in Minnesota, a Korean immigrant shared how she was shot at with a paintball gun and had blamed herself for the attack. Speaking publicly for the first time, she realized through the training that harassment is never the victim's fault, and that she was not alone. CAPI’s trainings have reached more than 160 participants, helping them respond safely to hate and find resilience through community. The sessions offer language access, emotional support, and practical steps to counter xenophobia. This work is not just about safety, empowerment. By bringing people together to share stories, process trauma and build skills, CAPI is helping Asian Minnesotans heal and organize for change.

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Members and volunteers at an event for Support for South Asian Survivors. People line up to speak to volunteers at tables.

Support for South Asian Survivors: SEWA-AIFW

SEWA-AIFW

Minnesota

With TAAF’s support SEWA-AIFW strengthened its long standing mission to prevent violence and promote healing for South Asian families in Minnesota. That commitment comes to life in the story of one Sikh family who fled persecution in India and violence in Afghanistan, only to face new barriers after resettling in Minnesota. When the family struggled with discrimination and housing insecurity, SEWA stepped in to help them secure stable housing, access health care, and welcome their newborn son into a stable and safe community. Today, SEWA continues to support survivors of hate and gender-based violence through legal aid, mental health services and culturally grounded care, providing that compassion and connection can rebuild lives and restore belonging for South Asian Minnesotans.
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“An unexpected and deeply meaningful outcome of TAAF’s support was being discovered by a South Asian mental health activist, storyteller, and writer Mrinal Gokhale through the TAAF website’s directory. Moved by SEWA-AIFW’s mission and services, she reached out to collaborate and has since become a powerful ally. Her work in mental health advocacy, narrative healing, and cultural storytelling has opened new possibilities for us to build emotional resilience and healing-centered programming within our community. She is currently planning to lead story circles, book readings, and community dialogues in partnership with SEWA, blending art, healing, and activism to support survivors of violence and racial trauma.
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Beyond this connection, we’ve made numerous new friends, collaborators, and activists across the country who are in solidarity with our mission. TAAF’s platform helped elevate our visibility and align us with like-minded organizations committed to justice and healing.

Locally, our partnerships with other Minnesota-based TAAF grantees have grown significantly stronger throughout this grant cycle. These collaborations have fostered resource sharing, co-hosted events, and cross-community solidarity. These connections—both local and national—have laid the groundwork for deeper, sustained engagement in the anti-Asian hate crime movement, and we are eager to expand this collective impact in the years ahead.”

grant year
2024-2025
Website
Intro

Supporting the AAPI Community Through TAAF’s Safety National Network

From its beginnings combating COVID-era hate, to a national infrastructure driving impact at the local level.

Collage of protestors and community builders holding up signs in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
origins

In 2021, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) recognized a growing need to combat anti-AAPI hate across the country.

We witnessed growing attacks against AAPI communities, like the tragic Atlanta Spa Shootings in March of 2021.

Protesters in masks hold up signs at protest for Atlanta Spa Shootings in March of 2021. Signs read "stop hate, spread love" "Not your model minority" and "Hate is the choice of the weak"

The increase in attacks was symptomatic of the underlying racism against AAPIs.

+224%

Increase in anti-Asian hate incidents from 2020 to 2021

Source
Source

Even after pandemic restrictions were lifted, many Asian Americans dealt with harassment, lack of safety in public and online spaces, and gaps in belonging and acceptance. In our STAATUS Index 2023, we found that:

52%

of Asian American respondents reported feeling unsafe due to their race in at least one space. They felt most unsafe on public transportation, followed by in their neighborhoods, and at work and school.

58%

of Asian American respondents said they did not feel like they belong or are accepted in public spaces or online spaces because they have experienced discrimination as a result of their race/ethnicity.

How did TAAF Respond?

TAAF set out to grow a national network of organizations to confront anti-Asian hate, support survivors, and build lasting safety.

TAAF’s Anti-Hate & Safety National Network comprises of leading national, regional, and local organizations that provide essential direct services, safety, and healing to communities affected by hate incidents and crimes. The National Network of 56 partners in 14 major metropolitan areas covers over 50% of the AAPI population in the country and focuses on sharing best practices and resources to more effectively track and respond to hate incidents, and streamline solutions for anti-hate work.

evolution

What began as three local action centers has evolved into a national coalition of over fifty organizations.

Explore the Safety National Network’s expansion from Oakland, Chicago, and New York City, to over 14 cities by 2025.

impact

Today, the network reaches over fourteen cities and a growing share of the AAPI population — building a safer future, one neighborhood at a time.

from 2021 to SEPTEMBER 2025...

$23m

Total Grants Awarded

50%

of AAPI Population Covered

Since 2023, the network has contributed to

Total community members served

Through direct services, referrals, and provided with resources

99,054

Survivors of bias and/or gender-based
violence incidents served

54,663

Total number of bystander/upstander
and other safety-related trainings

2,400

Total training participants

121,002

Through participation in the National Network’s regular meetings and in-person TAAF convenings, organizations exchanged knowledge and gained access to shared insights and resources. They built relationships that they carried into their day to day work, amplifying their impact.

Two adults and two children smiling and focusing on crafting a colorful kite together with crafting supplies.
Houston, TX • april 27, 2024

“Our TAAF Houston City partners had a great opportunity to kick off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Asia Society, where families come together to create kites symbolizing freedom, hope, and healing. This event honors the vital work of Daya, Tahirih Justice Center Houston, and BPSOS Houston in supporting AAPI survivors of gender-based violence. Under the guidance of lead artist Ruhee Maknojia, participants decorated a community art mural and craft personalized kites that embody resilience and cultural pride. This Kite art event showed unity and commemorated the strength and diversity of Asian and Asian American experiences.”

— Boat People SOS (BPSOS), National Network partner

Image Courtesy of Asia Society Texas/Chris Dunn

Large group photo of conference attendees outside among the trees. There are about 50 or more people gathered side by side.

2024 Anti-Hate National Network Convening

new York, ny • September 16–17, 2024 • 67 attendees

“Collaboration is key in breaking the cycle of hate against vulnerable populations. When communities exchange ideas, resources, and strategies, that's where the foundation change or progress is built, and that is what exactly this event did from the first day to the second.”

— event attendee

Two speakers at the 2024 TAAF Summit doing a panel on stage.

2024 AAPI Asian Heritage TAAF Summit Day 0 “Community Leadership Convening”

new York, ny • may 1, 2024 • 116 attendees

“Thanks to TAAF’s support, we connected with Meekong NYC and are in communication with leadership and organizers about the Nail Salon worker organizing efforts. Through connecting at the TAAF Summit and Anti-Hate Grantee Gathering in the fall, we have started to build out a similar campaign in Massachusetts with the goal of building a network of organized nail salon workers, using New York State’s Nail Salon Workers’ Bill of Rights as a policy and organizing framework. We participated in a national convening with Meekong, CA Healthy Nail Collaborative, and VietLEAD to discuss state and national strategy around nail salon organizing.”

— Asian American Resource Workshop attendee

Members of the Pacific Asian Counseling Services smiling in a standing group photo together at an event.

Pacific Asian Counseling Services

Los Angeles, cA • april 27, 2025

“One meaningful and unexpected outcome of TAAF’s support has been the deepening of our partnership with the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation (VACF) in Orange County. While our organizations have operated in similar spaces for years, it was through our participation in the TAAF network and the sharing of our anti-Asian hate work at the state level that a more intentional collaboration began.”

— Grantee

stories

Meet the organizations driving change on the ground. Their stories highlight how national network members are combating hate and empowering the AAPI community.

Click to learn more about each story.

New York, NY
Smiling members of the Korean American Family Service Center wearing matching purple hoodies with their slogan.

Supporting Survivors: The Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)

Read more
Chicago, il
Members of VAI smile and pose together happily at a community event.

A New Model of Safety: VAI

Read more
Montebello, CA
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California Logo

Professor Aki Maehara: AJSoCal

Read more
Maryland & Virginia
Happy members dining together at an event. They are smiling and clapping.

Stakeholder Mapping & Coalition Building

Read more
Minnesota
CAPI USA youth members posing and smiling together.

Right to Be Trainings: CAPI USA

Read more
Minnesota
Members and volunteers at an event for Support for South Asian Survivors. People line up to speak to volunteers at tables.

Support for South Asian Survivors: SEWA-AIFW

Read more
We heart (love) houston in neon letters

Heritage Heroes Series: Highlighting Safety Work Nationwide

Watch the video series

Together, we can address pressing safety issues, deepen cross-sector partnerships, and find effective solutions to better serve the AAPI community.

The problem persists, but our National Network is combating the issue.

Collage of TAAF Safety National Network orgs and their community contributions, activations, talks, events, and members.
Additional Resources

Learn more about how we combat hate in AAPI communities.

TAAF Safety Initative

Be the change in your community. Find an AAPI serving organization near you.

Find AAPI Orgs Near You

Support the network.

Donate
Intro
Origins
Evolution
Impact
stories
TAAF is a non-partisan 501(c)3 non-profit recognized by the IRS. Your contribution to TAAF is tax-deductible for Federal tax purposes, to the extent provided by applicable Federal tax laws.
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