Asian Pacific Islander American Partnerships (APIA)

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
Web site: http://www.apaics.org

Background Information (PDF 37 KB)

The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, formerly the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute, was established in 1995 as the only national, non-partisan and pan-Asian American organization dedicated to increasing the participation of AA/PI in public policy and the political process while creating a political pipeline.

The Institute was established by members of Congress with an interest in AA/PI affairs and AA/PI leaders. In the years 1995, 1996, and 2000, President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker at the APAICS Gala Dinner during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May.

APAICS was co-founded and previously chaired by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. The Honorable Secretary Mineta is also a former congressman who chaired the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Secretary Mineta also worked previously with State Farm® on the National Disaster Protection Act.

Our relationship with this organization started in 1999. We sponsor the:

• Annual gala awards dinner
• National Asian Pacific American School Board & Educational Policy Conference
• APAICS Congressional Fellowship - five elected state and local officials to be mentored by Congressmen and Congresswomen.

Leslie Moe-Kaiser serves on the Corporate Advisory Council.

Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW)
Web site: http://www.apawomen.org

Background Information (PDF 37 KB)

Founded in 1995, CAPAW, formerly the Asian Pacific American Women's Leadership Institute (APAWLI), is the only leadership program in the nation whose mission is to address the specific challenges facing AAPI women as leaders and to nurture culturally competent trusteeship within their communities.

Each year, a group of outstanding AAPI women are selected for leadership training designed to nurture their development as ethical, caring leaders. They meet for three, one-week sessions in different U.S. cities. Upon completion of the program, each "Fellow" is expected to create and implement a leadership impact project that positively changes the lives of at least 25 people.

Six of our State Farm associates are APAWLI Fellows: Sonya Gong (VPO in Southern Zone), Michele Russo (Claims Manager), Sue Ann Hong (Claim Section Manager), Lauren Seeborg (Corporate Manager), Jayne Tran (Systems Manager), and Leslie Moe-Kaiser (Staff Assistant in Public Affairs).

Our relationship with this organization started in 1998. State Farm has been a solid sponsor for their conferences and fellowships, and provides seed money for Fellows impact projects. State Farm also supported their ground-breaking research document "Leadership Challenges and Opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander Women."

The Center offers one-day Regional Workshops around the country. In 2007, Houston and New York City hosted a leadership workshop.

Leslie Moe-Kaiser serves on the Board.

The Hmong National Development (HND)
Web site: http://www.hndlink.org

Background Information (PDF 35 KB)

HND is a national non-profit organization working with Hmong communities and public/private agencies in the United States to promote economic self-sufficiency and access to employment and educational opportunities. HND also seeks to assist in resource development and cultural adaptability vital to the well-being, growth and full participation of Hmong in the mainstream society. Composed of a leading network of professionals, students and community leaders spanning across the entire United States, HND is committed to improving the social and political environment in order to bring all the benefits America has to offer to the Hmong community which includes, among other things, educational opportunities.

State Farm has sponsored the annual conference since 1999. We are evaluating the organization and exploring ways we can work together.

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
Web site: http://www.jacl.org

Background Information (PDF 37 KB)

Founded in 1929, the JACL protects the civil rights of Japanese-Americans and all people victimized by injustice. JACL works to preserve the culture and values of Japanese-Americans in a multi-cultural society, to participate in the development of understanding among social and ethnic groups, and to promote and sponsor programs designed to encourage the JACL members to perform their citizen duties and responsibilities.

JACL is headquartered in San Francisco with 112 chapters nationwide and eight regional districts with over 24,000 members in 23 states. In addition to its national headquarters in San Francisco, JACL has five regional offices (Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago), as well as an office in Washington, D.C., and an organizational newspaper, the Pacific Citizen, distributed nationally from Los Angeles. JACL derives its effectiveness from its regional offices located in key cities and areas to serve the needs of its members and to maintain the well-being of all Asian Americans.

State Farm began this relationship in 1999. We were the top sponsor for its biannual conference in 2002 and 2004. State Farm is the sole sponsor of the JACL/OCA Washington, D.C., Leadership Conference, an annual joint leadership-training program organized by JACL and the Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc. (OCA), the two largest AA/PI civil rights organizations in the United States.

The five-day conference gives 30 emerging leaders of JACL and OCA chapters the opportunity to learn first hand about current public policy issues facing AAPI communities. We support JACL’s expanding education role by sponsoring the creation of a new program to educate all American children on Asian American history. The program includes a component that teaches children and adults how diversity is good for America. Lesson plans are included to assist teachers from middle school to 12th grade.

Korean American Coalition
Web site: http://www.kacla.org

Background Information (PDF 37 KB)

Established in 1983, KAC’s mission is to facilitate the Korean-American community’s participation in civic, legislative and community affairs in order to contribute to the broader society. KAC represents the interests of the Korean-American community to elected officials, government agencies, media and the general public.

State Farm’s relationship began in 1999. Since 2000, State Farm has sponsored the KAC National Political Forum & Gala, the National Convention, the College Leadership Conference and the Summer College Internship Program.

Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)
Web site: www.advancingequality.org

Background Information (PDF 36 KB)

AAJC's mission is to advance the legal and civil rights of the nation's AAPI through litigation, advocacy, public education and public policy. The Consortium is committed to increasing community education and participation on public policy and civil rights issues affecting AAPI, to serve as a national information network on national issues and to create programs that serve AAPI across the nation.

Our relationship with this organization began in 2000. State Farm is a member of its National Advisory Council. We supported AAJC's cost to print 7,000 voter education posters. We continue to sponsor the annual Awards Reception and the annual Community Partners Conference.

Leslie Moe-Kaiser serves on the National Advisory Council and American Courage Awards Committee.

The Organization of Chinese Americans, Inc. (OCA)
Web site: http://www.ocanatl.org

Background Information (PDF 37 KB)

The OCA is one of the most influential constituency-based national AA/PI organizations.

Founded in 1973, the OCA is a national non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization of concerned Chinese Americans. OCA is dedicated to securing the rights of Chinese American and Asian American citizens and permanent residents through legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of the government. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of the nearly two million citizens and residents of Chinese ancestry in the United States as well as to better the lives of the 10 million Asian Americans across the country.

OCA's primary objectives include:

• Promoting active participation of Asian Americans in both civic and national matters;
• Securing social justice, equal opportunity and equal treatment of Asian Americans;
• Eliminating prejudices, stereotypes and ignorance of Asian Americans;
• Promoting the cultural heritage of Chinese and other Asian Americans.

To achieve these objectives, OCA is engaged in organizing its 44 chapters across the nation and its Hong Kong chapter to develop both leadership and community involvement. New chapters and our organizational and college affiliates are establishing strong local programs in all parts of the country.

OCA's base in Washington, D.C., gives the national office an effective vantage point for monitoring legislation and policy issues affecting Chinese Americans and Asian Americans. In the D.C. metro area, OCA is able to build national support and to work in coalition with other national groups around issues affecting Asian Americans. In addition, OCA publishes IMAGE magazine, which serves as a communications link between chapter members as well as an informative source on federal and legislative initiatives and policies relevant to the Chinese American and Asian American communities.

Our relationship with this organization started in 1999. State Farm, represented by Leslie Moe-Kaiser, serves on OCA's Business Advisory Council as Chair of the Development Committee.

We sponsor and exhibit at the national convention to create a consistent message on behalf of State Farm. We are the sole sponsor of the annual OCA/JACL Leadership Conference, a training program for chapter leaders on current APIA issues. State Farm also supports the annual Corporate Achievement Awards hosted by the BAC.

Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Web site: http://www.searac.org

Background Information (PDF 35 KB)

SEARAC, founded in 1979, is the national organization for Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Americans. It focuses on refugee community development through Mutual Assistance Associations (MAA) technical assistance programs and funding-related advocacy. In its roles as a coalition builder and leader, facilitator, mediator, representative and coordinator, SEARAC is uniquely qualified to strengthen the capacity of ethnic networks, MAA’s and other community-based organizations.

Our relationship with this organization began in 1999.

State Farm sponsors the National Leadership Training Project (National Empowerment Conference). We also provide support for the Southeast Asian Higher Education Summit through funding for publication of its research findings. In addition, we are a sponsor of the Student Action and Visibility in Education (SAVE) Project which documents the actual educational needs and opportunities facing Southeast Asian American students.

National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA)
Web site: http://www.ncvaonline.org

Background Information (PDF 34 KB)

Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA) has become the major deliberative forum of the Vietnamese community, a federation of organizations and individuals across the 50 states. It is estimated that over the years, some 200 Vietnamese American organizations have been affiliated with NCVA.

NCVA has five primary areas of focus:  

• U.S. Political Process
• Education
• Fighting Discrimination
• Drive for Economic Self-sufficiency
• Leadership Education.

State Farm partners with the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans to support the development of a financial education program and the National Convention.  In 2006 and 2007, State Farm sponsored the Vietnamese American Youth Leadership Conference, which prepares Vietnamese American youths to become leaders in the community.  Leadership skills, personal development and financial management, along with history and cultural heritage, are among the sessions.