News

11.06.2024

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Responds to the 2024 Election Outcome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 6th, 2024
CONTACT: Arjumand Khan – akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Responds to the 2024 Election Outcome 

The nation’s largest network of AAPI civil rights organizations, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, jointly issued this statement today.

Last night, Donald J. Trump was re-elected as the President of the United States. As an affiliation of civil rights organizations, we recognize that this result may evoke strong feelings, in the communities we serve and the partners we work with. Considering the harmful rhetoric expressed by his campaign, and the lasting impact of his previous administration, we remain steadfast in our work with and for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. We will continue to protect immigrant communities, fight voter suppression, and stand up against hate and discrimination.

In the face of suppression, intimidation, and language barriers, our communities mobilized to ensure that AANHPI voices were heard at each level of the elections. And we will continue to be vocal about the rights and dignity of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

With this new administration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice will:

Fight for the rights of immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and all communities of color.

Demand lawmakers practice humane immigration policies, expand Asian language access, eliminate hate and bigotry.

Advance human rights by defending the civil liberties of AANHPIs, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and all communities of color.

Fight for a society that is respectful and equitable for all Americans.

Election Day may be behind us, but our work is more urgent than ever. Together, we will swiftly respond to this rapidly changing environment.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliated organizations are Advancing Justice – AAJC, AJSOCAL, Advancing Justice – Chicago, and Advancing Justice – Atlanta.

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Election Day 2024: Advancing Justice | Chicago Poll Watching Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 5th, 2024
CONTACT: Arjumand Khan – akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

Election Day 2024: Advancing Justice | Chicago Poll Watching Results

Chicago’s Only Watching Program Focused on Language Accessibility at the Polls!

Advancing Justice | Chicago monitored 221 precincts across Cook County to ensure voters who needed language assistance were able to cast their ballots.

CHICAGO (November 5th, 2024) – Voters in Illinois took to the polls today to cast their ballots for the presidential race, U.S. House races, state legislative races, and several local offices, including Cook County State’s Attorney and the historic Chicago Board of Education. Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (Advancing Justice | Chicago) dispatched 36 poll watchers to monitor 221 precincts across Chicago and Cook County.

Poll watchers are sent to “designated language precincts” that have significant populations of limited English proficient (LEP) voters. Under the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Cook County Voting Opportunity and Translation Equity (VOTE) Ordinance, these precincts are required to provide language assistance and translated voting materials.

Today, Advancing Justice | Chicago staff and volunteers monitored 100% of the designated Asian language precincts in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

“Being on-site, our poll watchers are able to observe voters, election judges, and polling place technicians, who provide us with direct feedback in real time as Election Day unfolds,” says Advancing Justice | Chicago Executive Director, Grace Pai.

The following Asian language groups are covered under the VRA and/or the VOTE Ordinance: Chinese (including Mandarin, Cantonese), South Asian (including Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu), Korean, and Tagalog.

Advancing Justice | Chicago runs the largest poll watching program for language accessibility in the city of Chicago and Cook County, ensuring LEP voters have a fair and equal opportunity to vote.

“It was extremely motivating to speak with election judges who were proud to offer multilingual options at their precincts. One of the judges I spoke with said it was very exciting to be able to direct voters whose preferred language is not English to the multilingual touch screen voting station,” says volunteer poll watcher, Alice Li.

Preliminary findings indicate that the majority of observed issues took place in suburban Cook County. While there were a handful of reports of missing translated voting materials or malfunctioning technology in Chicago, designated Asian language precincts in the city largely functioned as expected.

In suburban Cook County, on the other hand, dozens of poll watchers reported the absence of required bilingual poll workers. In addition, several precincts were missing bilingual ballots and informational voting materials. While the Cook County Clerk introduced a new poster with QR codes that linked to translated voting information in 12 languages, poll watchers did not observe any voters utilizing the QR codes.

Advancing Justice | Chicago will compile observations, data, and recommendations into a report that will be shared with the Cook County Clerk and the Chicago Board of Elections early next year.

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at advancingjustice-chicago.org.

In leading up to each election, Advancing Justice | Chicago collaborates with a number of organizations on language access advocacy, including the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, HANA Center, Indo-American Center, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI).

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07.19.2024

NOW HIRING! Director of Development

BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. 

For over 30 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (“Advancing Justice | Chicago”) has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, education equity, criminal justice, and immigrant rights.  

As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest region and collaborating with partners across Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build collective power.  

Founded in 2018, Asian American Midwest Progressives (“AAMP”) endorses progressive candidates, mobilizes Asian American voters, and holds elected officials accountable through issue-based campaigns. Currently, AAMP organizes in Illinois and Ohio. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Director of Development will play a key role in Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP’s growth, leading the design, implementation, and continued development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Deputy Director and supervise the Development team.  This position reports to the Deputy Director.

This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time may be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan political work. 

Key Advancing Justice | Chicago Responsibilities: 

    • Work closely with the Executive Director and the senior leadership team to ensure that the organization is serving its mission, achieving organizational goals, maintaining healthy culture, and in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement; 
    • Provide strategic, visionary leadership to meet an annual fundraising goal of $2.3M through foundations, corporate giving, external partnerships, and individual donors; 
    • Supervise the Development Team, which currently consists of two Development Managers, who manage the foundation portfolio and individual giving campaigns, respectively;  
    • Manage fundraising efforts of the Board of Directors and hold Board members accountable to annual fundraising goals; 
    • Develop and execute a new major donor strategy; 
    • Cultivate external and corporate partnerships through matching gifts, corporate grants or sponsorships, and speaking engagements and trainings;  
    • Evaluate and report the outcomes of fundraising campaigns, including data on gifts, donor retention, etc.;   
    • Manage resource development infrastructure, including internal budgeting, donation payment platforms, donor data management, mailings, etc.;  
    • Work with Development Manager to ensure consistent donor engagement through fundraising events and creative external partnerships, including our annual #doughsomething third-party fundraising campaign; 
    • Oversee foundation & grant process (led by Development Manager) and cultivate new funder relationships; 
    • Participate in foundation or corporate site visits as needed; 
    • Work with the Asian Americans Advancing Justice national affiliation to engage national and shared funding opportunities; 
    • Other duties as assigned. 

Key Asian American Midwest Progressives Responsibilities: 

    • Work closely with Executive Director and Development Team to build an aligned fundraising strategy across Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP, particularly as relates to individual donors; 
    • Support AAMP Board of Directors in planning and executing annual summer fundraising event; 
    • Support Development Manager in prospecting new potential AAMP institutional funders. 

  • Required Qualifications:
     

As both a senior leadership team member and a public face of Advancing Justice | Chicago, the Director of Development should demonstrate a unique blend of qualities and skills that reflect a passion and commitment to the organization’s mission, including the following: 

  • Strong belief in the mission of the organization and deep commitment to advancing racial equity; 
  • At least 4-5 years of relevant experience, including experience supervising direct report(s); 
  • Experience in grant writing and reviewing grant applications and reports; 
  • Experience cultivating major donors and implementing an individual giving strategy; 
  • History of working closely with a Board of Directors to reach/increase their fundraising goals; 
  • Excellent public speaking and ability to tailor external communications with various external audiences; 
  • Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers and across different levels of the organization and externally; 
  • Experience with coaching or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes; 
  • Excellent organizational skills, highly responsive, and detail-oriented; 
  • Strong proficiency with CRM and communication platforms, including Salesforce, Mailchimp, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and others as needed; 
  • Comfort in and flexibility with learning new technologies and data platforms; 
  • Event planning and/or project management experience; 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism; 
  • Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt strategies and tactics as needed; 
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multi-ethnic, multi-generational, or multi-sector communities; 
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to persuade others; 
  • Willingness to travel out-of-town and work evenings or weekends as needed (flex time is offered for evening and weekend work). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

    • Strong vision of how grassroots organizing serves the organization’s mission; 
    • A deep understanding of racial equity and intersectionality; 
    • Experience in budget tracking and projecting; 
    • Knowledge of the history of Asian Americans and the progressive movement; 
    • Background in an issue area relevant to Advancing Justice | Chicago. 

COMPENSATION 

The salary range is $85,000 to $95,000, depending on experience. A full benefits package is included.

INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications should be submitted electronically via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org  and include: 

  • Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, and expectations, 
  • Resume; 
  • Two writing samples of your choosing; and 
  • Names, contact information, and relationship for three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought, including a recent supervisee/direct report. 
    • Please include “Director of Development Application” in the subject line of your emailApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications received by July 31, 2024 will be prioritized.  

Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office two days a week (Tue/Thu) with optional work-from-home three days a week (Mon/Weds/Fri), which is subject to change. If you are invited for an interview, the interview may be held in person or over video conference.     

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation. 

www.AdvancingJustice-Chicago.org 

 

 

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06.27.2024

NOW HIRING! Director of Organizing

BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. 

For over 30 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (“Advancing Justice | Chicago”) has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, education equity, criminal justice, and immigrant rights.  

As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest region and collaborating with partners across Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build collective power.  

Founded in 2018, Asian American Midwest Progressives (“AAMP”) endorses progressive candidates, mobilizes Asian American voters, and holds elected officials accountable through issue-based campaigns. Currently, AAMP organizes in Illinois and Ohio. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Director of Organizing position presents a unique opportunity for a strategic, dynamic, and thoughtful leader to advance Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP’s commitment to building power through base building, grassroots leadership development, and issue-based campaigns. The Director of Organizing will co-lead and supervise the community organizing team and guide strategy for key issue-based campaigns. As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Organizing will also be responsible for guiding organization-wide decisions, maintaining healthy organizational culture, and managing personnel. This position reports to the Executive Director.

This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time will be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan political work. 

Key Advancing Justice | Chicago Responsibilities: 

  • Work closely with the Executive Director and the senior leadership team to ensure that the organization is serving its mission, achieving organizational goals, maintaining healthy culture, and in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement;
  • Supervise a majority of the community organizing team, which includes 2-3 direct reports and 2-3 indirect reports, and co-lead the Organizing Team with another director;
  • Lead campaign strategy, which includes power analysis, policy research, direct action planning, media strategy, and legislative engagement;
  • Oversee the organization’s grassroots leadership development programs and budgets, which includes the base building groups of KINETIC, A Just Chi, and I Speak Power;
  • Maintain and contribute to healthy organizational culture, which includes, but is not limited to, utilizing conflict transformation tools, modeling work-life balance, and communicating proactively;
  • Represent the organization in key partnerships and coalitions, including the Pan Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR), and more;
  • Provide media interviews on key issues and current events, as needed;
  • Support, and when necessary take lead on, organization-wide events and activities including direct actions, press conferences, rallies, lobby days, and other events as needed;
  • Provide regular updates to the Advancing Justice | Chicago Board of Directors;
  • Consistently engage and collaborate with the other Advancing Justice affiliates on national campaigns or joint projects, such as the Advancing Justice national summit;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Key Asian American Midwest Progressives Responsibilities: 

  • Work closely with Campaigns Director to build an aligned co-governance strategy with AAMP-endorsed candidates and elected officials;
  • Support direct reports in engaging with AAMP activities, including canvassing, phone banking, or AAMP-led issue-based campaigns, as opportunities arise;
  • Provide support for political events, such as public meetings or town halls, as needed.

  • Required Qualifications:
     

As both a senior leadership team member and a public face of Advancing Justice | Chicago, the Director of Organizing should demonstrate a unique blend of qualities and skills that reflect a passion and commitment to the organization’s mission, including the following:

  • Strong belief in the mission of the organization and deep commitment to advancing racial equity;
  • At least 4-5 years of experience with community organizing/base-building, grassroots leadership development, and working on issue-based campaigns;
  • Experience with coaching or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes;
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership, consensus-building, and coalition-building skills, with ability to forge new relationships and foster existing ones;
  • Ability to organize direct actions, build and coordinate coalitions, and lead electoral organizing strategy and activities;
  • Ability to effectively supervise multiple individuals, including permanent and temporary staff;
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism;
  • Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt strategies and tactics as needed;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multi-ethnic, multi-generational, or multi-sector communities;
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to persuade others;
  • Willingness to travel out-of-town and work evenings or weekends as needed (flex time is offered for evening and weekend work).

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Strong vision of how grassroots organizing serves the organization’s mission;
  • A deep understanding of racial equity and intersectionality;
  • Experience with leading grassroots organizing trainings and forming training curriculum;
  • Experience with managing staff sharing agreements with a 501(c)4 organization;
  • Strong understanding of the role that communications and media play in grassroots organizing and advocacy;
  • Demonstrated experience in program development and oversight, budget tracking and projecting, and grant reporting and writing;
  • Demonstrated fundraising experience from individuals, foundations, or corporations;
  • Knowledge of the history of Asian Americans and the progressive movement;
  • Specific expertise in an issue area relevant to Advancing Justice | Chicago;
  • Experience working in multilingual spaces.

COMPENSATION 

The salary range is $85,000 to $95,000, depending on experience. A full benefits package is included.

INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications should be submitted electronically via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org and include: 

  • Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, and expectations,
  • Resume;
  • Writing sample of your choosing; and
  • Names of three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought.
  • Please include “Director of Organizing Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications received by July 31, 2024 will be prioritized.

Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office two days a week (Tue/Thu) with optional work-from-home three days a week (Mon/Weds/Fri), which is subject to change. If you are invited for an interview, the interview may be held in person or over video conference.     

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation. 

www.AdvancingJustice-Chicago.org 

 

 

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05.23.2024

Asian American Community Leaders Celebrate Passage of Language Equity and Access Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 23, 2024
CONTACT: Grace Pai – gpai@advancingjustice-chicago.org

Asian American Community Leaders to Celebrate Passage of Language Equity and Access Act
New bill expands language access to state services for Illinois’ immigrant communities

CHICAGO (May 23, 2024) – After two years of organizing, the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition applauds the Illinois state legislature for passing the Language Equity and Access Act (SB3762) on Thursday.

The bill’s passage comes after a rally at the Capitol during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month where 300 Asian American community members urged legislators to support language justice for all.

The bill ensures that the nearly one million individuals in Illinois who rely on a language other than English can access vital state services regarding health, public aid, small businesses and more. In the Asian American community, nearly 80 percent of adults speak a language other than English at home, and roughly one in three prefer to communicate in their native tongue. The Language Equity and Access Act requires state agencies to create language access plans and provide translation and interpretation in more than a dozen languages. It also designates the Governor’s Office of New Americans to support agencies in creating and implementing their language access plans. The bill now awaits Governor Pritzker’s signature.

“Immigrant communities who were hit hard by COVID-19 struggled to get the services they needed because of language barriers,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago Executive Director Grace Pai. “The Language Equity and Access Act will save lives and ensure that Illinois’ growing immigrant community is able to thrive.

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity.

PAVE Coalition Members: Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE), Apna Ghar, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, Cambodian Association of Illinois, Chinese American Service League, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, Hamdard Health Alliance, HANA Center, Hanul Family Alliance, Indo-American Center, Japanese American Citizens League – Chicago, Japanese American Service Committee, Lao American Organization of Elgin, Muslim Civic Coalition, South Asian American Policy and Research Institute, Vietnamese Association of Illinois

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