Founded in 1973, AACI is one of the largest community-based organizations advocating for and serving the marginalized and vulnerable ethnic communities in Santa Clara County. Our mission is to strengthen the hope and resilience of our community members by improving their health, mental health and well-being.
Mental Health
In the early 1990s, AACI played a key role in reversing a State Department of Mental Health (DMH) directive declaring para-professionals ineligible to provide therapeutic counseling to the emotionally ill. Since there is a scarcity of licensed bilingual/bicultural Asian mental health professionals in the United States, the directive would in effect deny services to many non-English/limited English speaking Asians in California.
Political representation
AACI’s leadership in fostering Asian involvement in the electoral process led to the formation of the AACI Community Empowerment Task Force in 1991. The group’s responsibility was to address political redistricting (the adoption of new county and city political boundaries) in both Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose. Task force members participated in the County’s redistricting commission, provided demographic information and ensured that perspectives vital to fair representation of the Asian communities were heard.
Research
AACI’s study on the “Glass Ceiling” phenomenon, based on a survey of hundreds of Asian professionals in the Bay Area, was published in the fall of 1993. The study’s findings exposed the hiring and promotion barriers Asians encounter and facilitated action toward eliminating the barriers.
Health
A new diabetes registry launched in 2009 allows AACI physicians to more closely monitor trends and patterns in patients’ health status and make appropriate care and treatment recommendations.
Civil rights
The Silicon Valley Asian American Voices project, publicly launched in March 2010, uses a website, social media, policy briefs and community dialogues to tell the stories of Asian immigrants to inspire action in support of immigrant communities.
Representation
AACI played a key leadership role in the 2010 census by canvassing neighborhoods to promote the importance of participation, conducting ethnic media outreach, and serving as a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center in order to bring adequate federal funds and resources to the local community. Participation rates increased 10% within AACI’s targeted neighborhoods.
Advocacy
AACI advocated for law enforcement to have more cultural sensitivity and mental health training in San Jose in response to police incidents involving Asian residents. AACI hosted community meetings, provided training and worked with city leaders to improve safety and communication.