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About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.


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NCVA eREPORTER - October 11, 2005

The National Congress of Vietnamese Americans' NCVA eReporter is a regular email newsletter containing information on grant/funding opportunities, events/forums/conferences, available internships and news items pertinent to the Vietnamese American and Asian Pacific American communities.

UPCOMING NCVA EVENT: The National Congress of Vietnamese Americans’ 19th Annual Convention will be held in San José, CA on October 21-23, 2005 – http://www.ncvaonline.org/conferences/2005.

In this NCVA eReporter:

EVENTS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

TIPS/RESOURCES

NEWS

******************
 EVENTS

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT TO BENEFIT HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

The "Chamber Music Concert" with special appearance of Mr. Tu Cong Phung from California to help raise money for the Hurricane Katrina victims is sponsored by the Massachusetts Vietnamese-American Womens League.

The event will be held at the Boston’s Vietnamese-American Community Center on October 16, 2005, from 6pm-9pm.

Tickets are:$50(VIP), and $30. Please contact Mrs. Ngoc Truong at 617-442-1319.

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A BENEFIT READING TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CHILDREN

prose: Andrew Lam
poetry: Truong Tran, Nguyen-Khoa Thai-Anh, Hue Thu, Phuong Thu, Jimmy Thong Tran, Nguyen Qui Duc
music: Chau Van performers and others

organized by Friends of Hue to benefit school children in Central Viet Nam

Sunday 16 October, 2006
3-6pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library
150 E. San Fernando,
San Jose, CA 95112

For more information, please call (408) 691-6489
http://www.friendsofhue.org/events.html

Food & Wine, Art Auction
$20 donation suggested at door

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WINTER COATS DRIVE
Biloxi, Mississippi

Words cannot begin to describe the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina.  The images seen on TV and other media, of the homes and lives ravaged by Katrina, do not even convey one one-hundredth of the devastation that has taken place in these communities.  It's nearly five weeks later and the streets of Biloxi are still strewn with piles and piles trash and debris, abandoned cars, flooded homes, and tattered businesses.  It is heart-breaking!

In the wee hours of the night, in my solitude, I find myself crying uncontrollably for the families who have lost so much, yet ask for so little.  A sense of helplessness overwhelms me.

This is an experience of an "outsider" who is visiting a battered community for a week, who has the luxury of going home after a short visit.  How can anyone even begin to imagine the bewilderment and deep losses the victims must feel, seeing their homes and livelihood disappear before their very eyes?  I am certain you have heard that these ravaged areas being compared as war zones and/or refugees camps.  The reality is, they are truly worse. Worse because the damages go on for miles and miles.

In the midst of the devastation, I also see the human spirit, its resiliency, and a community determined to pick up the pieces of their battered surrounding.  Beyond their sadness are gentle smiles and a deep appreciation that people care.

There is so much to do.  While it seems the task is never-ending, we must continue to do and do more if we can.  These communities need our help.

In meeting with various members of the community here, I have discovered a great need that we can do something immediately to help.

Winter is descending upon Biloxi very quickly (within the next 2-3 weeks,) and it will be miserably cold soon.  Thus, we would like to begin a winter coat drive for the school children (primarily from K-8).  We are looking to bring 2,000 winter coats to the children of Biloxi.  Northern California will do a drive for a thousand (1,000) and Southern California will also do a drive for a thousand winter coats.  We would like to conclude this drive by Thursday, October 27, 2005 and transport all the coats to Biloxi, MS and Bayou La Batre, AL on or before Halloween.  This would be a nice treat for Halloween!

The breakdown of the coats drive is as follow:

Northern California
Size                     Boy             Girl
Small                   125             125
Medium               125             125
Large                  125              125
Extra Large         125             125

Southern California
Size                    Boy              Girl
Small                  125              125
Medium              125              125
Large                 125               125
Extra Large        125              125

The drop off point for Northern California is located at:

Viet Heritage Society
Saigon Business Center
1654 Burdette Drive, Suite 150
San Jose, CA 95121
(408) 238-7780

For Southern CA, the drop off point is located at:

TechUTrust, Inc.
c/o Thang Hoang
17165 New Hope Street, Suite E
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 755-1214

Next to Lee’s Sandwiches at the corner of Bolsa and Moran, across from Phuoc Loc Tho:
9251 Bolsa Ave.
Westminster, CA 92683

As an added bonus, Lee’s Sandwiches (at 9261 Bolsa Ave) will provide a coupon for a FREE sandwich and a Lee’s famous coffee “café sua da” to each donor who brings in a jacket or coat.  This is effectively immediately and ends on October 27, 2005.  One coupon for each jacket/coat.  The more you bring in, the more you get.

Once the 2,000 jackets have been secured, we will coordinate to transport them to Biloxi, MS.  It will be given to students in Biloxi, MS and Bayou La Batre, AL.  The intake and distribution Agency will be:

Renew Hope Project
c/o Michael Hampton or Henry Huong Le
719 Howard Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39350
(228) 374-2818

We would like to see the following happen with the coat/jacket:

*  The donor to place the winter coat in clear plastic (dry-cleaning) bag;
*  Label it with "Boy" or "Girl;" with the size of the coat clearly marked: Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large;
*  The label should be in white to provide contrast with the clear bag;
*  The donor has the option to write a personal note to the recipient;
*  The donor may write who it is from (Name of Donor, City, and State;) and
*  If the coat is not new, please make certain it's clean.

In short, think of this as a coat/jacket version of "Toys for Tots."

We are encouraging new coats/jackets.  Please think of this as a gift to that special boy or girl you'd like to provide a coat for.  We want you to start the process by going out and buying a coat for that one child you have in mind.  But while you're there at the store, we hope you'll be moved to buy more than just one.  You will find that the coats are relatively inexpensive.  As an example, you can find brand a new coat for as low as $18 at Wal-Mart. In other places, you can even find them for less.

However, we are accepting coats that are other than new coats.  But, please be aware that we CANNOT and will NOT accept any coats/jackets that are not clean and not placed in a clear plastic bag.  There are piles and piles of donated used clothing littering the streets.  People forget that even if the families want to use those used clothing, they have no way of cleaning them. By packaging these coats, they will come as gifts rather than burdens. Also, it makes it a whole lot easier for us to keep clean, transport, and distribute.

The partial list of participants for this effort is:

1.      Quyen Vuong, ICAN
2.      Debbie Nghiem, UVA
3.      The Honorable Lan Nguyen, ESUHSD
4.      Henry Huong Le, Renew Hope Project (Biloxi, MS)
5.      Mai Han Do of Little Saigon Radio
6.      Good Morning San Jose of 1430 AM
7.      Thuy Dung of 1500 AM Tim Le (Biloxi Volunteer from So. CA)
8.      Thang Hoang, TechUTrust
9.      Tina Mai Ha, TM Signature Modeling Agency
10.   Bich-Van Phan, VPS-Dallas
11.   Anhtuan Truong, Piercey Toyota
12.   Ryan Nguyen Hubris, Viet Heritage Society (VHS)
13.   WE WANT YOU!

We would like to engage each and every one of you to buy at least one coat.more if you can.  Also, we would like you to send this email to just 5 of your friends and get them to buy a coat.  If you have a distribution list, please send this email on to your contacts.  With these small steps, we will exceed our goals of 2,000 jackets in less than a week and get them over to these communities before the bone chilling cold nights set in.

Let's get these children some nice TREATS for Halloween!

Ryan Nguyen Hubris
1654 Burdette Drive, Suite 150
San Jose, CA 95122
Phone: (408) 238-7780
Fax: (408) 238-0107
Cell: (408) 505-7388

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 21130
San Jose, CA 95151-1130

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Come and Celebrate!

"A TASTE OF VIETNAM"
A 15th Anniversary Reception
 VIA in Vietnam

Supporting Education and Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

Please come out for an afternoon on the bay to celebrate VIA's 15th year in Vietnam. Join former volunteers, friends, family, and community members working towards improving opportunities for the people of Vietnam.  The reception will feature Vietnamese appetizers and a short program.  More information to come about guest speakers.

Sunday, November 13, 2005
2 - 5 p.m.

Reception with Vietnamese Appetizers
$20 Minimum Donation Requested

Butterfly Restaurant
Pier 33
The Embarcadero @ Bay Street
San Francisco
415.864.8999

To RSVP, please email vietnam@viaprograms.org or purchase your ticket online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2360.

VIA (formerly Volunteers in Asia) is a 501(c)(3) non-governmental, non-religious organization promoting educational and cross-cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia.  VIA's Vietnam program supports English learning among children, high school and university students, and Vietnamese professionals.  Established in 1990, VIA's Vietnam program has placed approximately 200 teachers and each year, reaches thousands of students in Vietnam.

(http://www.viaprograms.org)

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WASHINGTON DC CITIZEN SUMMIT IV

Dear Community Members and Leaders,

We invite you to join us at the Citizen Summit IV on Saturday, November 19, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center. Mayor Williams will convene citizens, elected officials and community leaders to begin making the tough choices involved in determining the citywide policies and priorities of the District government in the areas of youth development, health care, employment and economic opportunity, and affordable housing.

Over the past six years, Mayor Williams has engaged more than 10,000 citizens in this unique planning process.  As in past years, the daylong Citizen Summit -- the largest ongoing town hall meeting in the United States -- will significantly influence decisions with respect to the District's annual spending priorities and legislative initiatives.

Please see the attached registration form ASAP that you can complete and fax to 202-724-8977. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs at 202-727-3120 or the Citizen Summit Information Line 202-727-2823.

Translated registration forms are also available upon request. Please contact 202-727-3120.

Thank you.

Dory Peters
Outreach Coordinator
Mayor's Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs
441 4th Street NW 805South
Washington, DC 20001
phone: 202-727-3120     fax: 202-727-9655
http://www.apia.dc.gov

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 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

VIRGINIA TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FOUNDATION PREVENTION GRANTS

Up to $9.6 million over three years is available to tobacco-prevention programs through the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF).

The VTSF is calling for sealed proposals for youth tobacco prevention implementation programs to aid in the foundation's effort to reduce youth tobacco use. VTSF is committed to providing funding to local agencies and organizations; the foundation is funded by Virginia's share of the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement.

Deadline for applications is no later than 4 p.m., Nov. 8. A pre-proposal meeting with the funder, to take place in September or October, is required in order to apply. For more information on the request for proposals, see VTSF funding opportunities online.

(http://www.vtsf.org/fundingopp.asp)

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INDEPENDENT TELEVISION SERVICE SEEKS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR U.S. AUDIENCES

Deadline: January 20, 2006

ITVS, the Independent Television Service (http://www.itvs.org/), is inviting international producers to create programs for television audiences in the United States.

ITVS seeks international programs that are from any country besides the U.S.; represent diverse global communities; advance underrepresented points of view; inspire public dialogue; tell powerful, fascinating stories; and explore globally significant themes and issues.

Programs must be in production or post-production, and applicants must submit a sample reel of their work-in-progress for consideration. For International Call 2006, only single documentary projects (hours) will be considered. (American television length for hour programs range from 42:00 to 56:40 minutes.)

Project funding ranges from $10,000 to $150,000.

To be eligible for this program, an applicant must be an international producer who does not reside in the U.S., be an independent producer, and must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role. U.S. citizens may apply only as co-applicants in a true co-production relationship with an international producer.

Accepted applicants will receive funding once a production license agreement has been executed. This is a contract that assigns ITVS exclusive broadcast rights in the U.S.

Applications must be completed in English.

(http://www.itvs.org/producers/imdf_guidelines.html)

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SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS SEATTLE INVITES LETTERS OF INQUIRY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Deadline: December 2, 2005 (Letters of Inquiry)

Seattle-based Social Venture Partners (http://www.svpseattle.org/) seeks to develop philanthropy and volunteerism to achieve positive social change in the Puget Sound region. SVP is committed to giving time, money, and expertise to create partnerships with not-for- profit organizations.

Through a competitive grant process, SVP forms new Capacity Building Partnerships with select nonprofit each year. These nonprofits then join the portfolio of investees with which SVP currently works.

For 2005/06 SVP will hold three grant cycles: Early Childhood Development, Environment, and Social Venture Kids. Applications are currently being accepted for the Early Childhood Development program.

The Early Childhood Development Grant Committee expects to award two grants of approximately $40,000 each. SVP makes initial single-year grants with the intent of establishing longer-term partnerships with its investees (typically three to five years). At the end of the first year of funding, the grant outcomes and relationship potential with each investee are evaluated for further support.

In the Early Childhood Development grant category, SVP invests in organizations with programs that focus on early childhood development and/or that foster improved care-giving skills.

To be eligible for SVP support, an applicant organization's managing staff must be located in King County of Washington State. Applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity or as a public school or school district.

(http://www.svpseattle.org/grant_guidelines/early_childhood.htm)

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TRUDE LASH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT WORK ON SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN

Deadline: November 15, 2005

The purpose of the Trude Lash Fellowship Program is to support individuals who follow Ms. Lash's example by undertaking projects that address critical social problems affecting the lives of low-income children in New York City. A one-year, one-time grant of $10,000 will be awarded to enable an individual to perform innovative activities that would not otherwise be possible within their day-to-day work.

Trude Lash was an activist for social change throughout her life who worked on behalf of New York City's poorest children. Her passion for combining research with advocacy was to become the model for other efforts, both locally and nationally.

The fellowship may be used by applicants who want to learn a particular skill or gain a body of knowledge to strengthen or expand their work. This might include specialized training or courses, a study tour, a research trip, a demonstration project, or other activities that would enhance a person's skills or activism on behalf of children or families with children.

To be eligible for this fellowship, an applicant must be a resident of New York City; possess work experience that reflects an innovative perspective on the most serious problems affecting the daily lives of low-income children and the changes in services they need; and have deep connections with community stakeholders and supportive networks in the setting of his/her current work (or the one in which this project's activities are to be carried out).

(http://www.fundforsocialchange.org/)

******************

BEST BUY UNVEILS TE@CH EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM FOR K-12 SCHOOLS THAT ENROLL STUDENTS DISPLACED BY HURRICANES

Deadline: November 4, 2005

As part of its commitment to bringing technology and education together to make learning fun for children and K-12 classrooms, Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/) is offering te@ch Emergency Response awards to help schools that have opened their doors to students displaced by recent hurricanes in the United States.

The te@ch Emergency Response program will provide up to $3 million in Best Buy gift cards to help K-12 schools with enrolled students displaced by the hurricanes. Gift cards will be awarded in amounts up to $5,000 per school, redeemable at any U.S. Best Buy store, to help improve the classroom experience this year for all students.

Any K-12 school (public, charter, private, or parochial) that has enrolled students displaced by recent hurricanes for the 2005-06 school year is eligible for a gift card. Principals and teachers at these schools are invited to apply for the grants.

Online applications are available October 1, 2005, at the Best Buy Web site. Applications will be accepted through November 4, 2005, with gift cards awarded to schools by November 21, 2005.

(http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/teach.asp)

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 BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION LAUNCHES KIDS’ CAUCUS ON PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

Deadline: December 1, 2005

Box Tops for Education (http://boxtops4education.com/) has announced the Box Tops for Education Kids' Caucus, an assembly of children, parents, education officials, and members of Congress who will meet to discuss solutions to improving parental involvement in education in the United States. The Kids' Caucus, to be held on Capitol Hill in April 2006, will provide an opportunity for those who deal with parental involvement in education every day -- parents, teachers and children -- to offer practical insight to education officials into how parental involvement in education can be improved.

As part of the program, fifth- through eighth-grade students are invited to enter the Kids' Caucus Essay Contest. Box Tops for Education is asking students to tell them in 250-500 words, "If you and your parent or guardian were made principals for the day, how would you improve parental involvement at your school?"

Box Tops for Education will select 52 finalists -- one from each state, one from the District of Columbia, and one from either a U.S. territory or U.S. military-based school located outside the U.S. -- to receive a $1,000 Parental Involvement in Education Grant to be used by their school to enhance and/or improve parental involvement in education efforts. An expert judging panel will then select ten Grand Prize winners to go to Washington, D.C., where each student and his/her parent or guardian will have the opportunity to share their creative ideas for new parental involvement in education programs with members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

(http://www.boxtops4education.com/news/viewnewsarticle.aspx?ART=222)

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS INVITED TO APPLY FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FINE ARTS GRANT PROGRAM

Deadline: February 1, 2006

Administered on behalf of the National Education Association (http://www.nea.org/index.html) by the NEA Foundation (http://www.neafoundation.org/), the NEA Fine Arts Grants program is designed to enable fine arts teachers to create and implement fine arts programs that promote learning among students at risk of school failure.

Programs must address the arts (e.g., painting, sculpture, photography, music, theater, dance, design, media, or folk arts). Ten grants of $2,000 will be awarded. Grants may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, and/or professional fees, and will fund activities for twelve months from the date of the award.

Local NEA affiliates will be the applicant organization of record on behalf of arts teachers who teach at the elementary level (grades K-6) and implement the work. (Elementary and secondary fine arts teachers are eligible in alternate years of this program.) The arts teacher must be a member of the National Education Association and work in a U.S. public elementary school serving economically disadvantaged students. The local affiliate will be responsible for accepting and administering the grant funds.

(http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/finearts.htm)

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ENTERGY POWER OF HOPE FUND TO COVER VICTIMS OF HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA

Deadline: Rolling

In response to the widespread damage and devastation caused by Hurricane Rita, Entergy Corporation (http://www.entergy.com/) has expanded the scope of the Power of Hope Fund to provide assistance to victims of this latest storm.

the fund, which is administered through the Foundation for the Mid South (http://www.fndmidsouth.org/) and currently stands at $3.5 million, was created to help Entergy customers and employees recover from Hurricane Katrina. Entergy Corporation, the electric and gas utility that serves the areas hardest hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, launched the Power of Hope Fund and seeded the fund with an initial donation of $1 million. The fund differs from immediate relief efforts of other agencies in that it will focus on helping victims transition from shelters and/or temporary housing back into the community.

Eligibility for funding is limited to Entergy customers and employees impacted by hurricanes Katrina or Rita. The funds will be disbursed for long-term rebuilding efforts such as expenses related to housing, education, home building or repairs, and starting or rebuilding a business -- needs that cannot be reimbursed by public agencies. Grants will be awarded to individuals who were impacted by the storm, as well as to nonprofit agencies who are providing direct services to hurricane victims.

Individuals and families are eligible for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per household. The grants can be used for a variety of needs, including housing (rental deposits or mortgage down payments), transportation, job placement or training, and home repairs. The grants cannot be used for utility bill payment assistance, but they can be used for repair of electrical equipment or inspections necessary to re-establish electric service.

Grants for nonprofit organizations that are providing direct service to hurricane victims will range from $10,000 to $20,000.

The deadline for the first round of applications is October 7, 2005. The deadline for subsequent rounds will be the first Monday of each month for the next five months. After that, applications will be reviewed every other month.

(http://www.fndmidsouth.org/Power_of_hope.htm)

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U.S. CELLULAR CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

The U.S. Cellular Connecting With Our Communities Program supports nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where the company has a business presence in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. (A list of eligible communities is available on the company's website.) The company focuses on programs that relate to the following strategic areas of concern: civic and community; education; health and human service; environment; and arts and culture. Applications are reviewed quarterly.

(http://www.uscc.com/uscellular/SilverStream/Pages/a_charitable.html#target)

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FAMILYFUN VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES FAMILIES THAT VOLUNTEER

The FamilyFun Volunteers Program recognizes U.S. families that volunteer together to benefit others or improve the community or world. Families that enter this contest should consist of not less two persons, at least one of whom is less than 18 and one 18 or older. For five Grand Prize families, DisneyHand will donate $5,000 to the nonprofit charity or public school of each family’s choice, and for 25 First Prize families, $1,000 will be donated to the organization of each family’s choice. All winning families will receive a package of FamilyFun books and kits. The entry deadline is January 15, 2006.

(http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/learn/activities/feature/volunteers-contest/)

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 JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

THE WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to explore public service.  The White House is seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program.  In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project.  Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer.  All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, hold United States citizenship, and be enrolled in a college or university.

Explore our White House Intern Website for additional information at http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html.  To apply, read and complete the White House Intern Application.  A strong application includes the following:

*  sound academic credentials
*  history of community involvement and leadership
*  solid verbal/written communication skills
*  demonstrated interest in public service

Completed application materials must be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator in the office of White House Personnel, at intern_application@whitehouse.gov prior to the following deadlines:

*  Applications due October 18, 2005 for Spring 2006 term - (January 10 to May 12, 2006)
*  Applications due March 7, 2006 for Summer 2006 term - (May 23 to August 25, 2006)

If you have questions or concerns, contact Karen by phone, (202) 456-2310 or by e-mail, intern_application@whitehouse.gov.

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html)

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BROWNSVILLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION JOBS

The Brownsville Community Development Corporation, the parent company of the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center (BMS). Founded in 1982, BMS is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Brownsville, Ocean Hill and parts of East New York, Brooklyn.  BMS offers an extensive array of medical and non-medical services to 19,000 residents annually is seeking a Director of Development.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Under the direction of the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Development has responsibility for the overall functioning of the Corporation=s Development office. Must have 3-5 yrs experience in community-based fundraising including individual donor cultivation & appeals, fundraising events, grant writing and special projects required.  Must possess excellent writing skills and strong research capabilities. Experience in marketing and communication preferred.

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATE

Under the supervision of the Human Resources Manager, assist with the administrative process for the services provided by the human resources department including benefits, training and development and maintaining compliance regulations. Assist managers/supervisors with developing and providing unit/department specific competency training. Coordinate training workshop instituted and maintain annual calendar for mandatory and non-mandatory in-service training and other educational programs. Monitor benefits programs and support the communication between staff, department and the HR Manager. Maintain IRS compliance requirements for retirement plan and COBRA insurance. Assist with analysis of annual performance evaluations and competency assessment outcomes to satisfy internal as well as other regulatory standards. Assist with employee ID development, as needed.

Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume to: Joan Wong, Human Resources Manager, Brownsville Community Development Corporation, 592 Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212-5539 or fax: 718-346-7183/ email: jwong@bmsfhc.org

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SEARAC ADVOCACY INITIATIVE PROJECT DIRECTOR

Summary:  The Advocacy Initiative Project Director will provide a wide range of integrated advocacy, training, and technical assistance services to Southeast Asian American (SEA) communities and organizations.  S/he will be a highly skilled professional with a wide range of advocacy, community, and technical skills.  S/he will have primary responsibility for implementing SEARAC's Southeast Asian American Advocacy Initiative.  SEARAC proposes to develop, and capitalize on, the growing advocacy potential of Southeast Asian American communities, and of SEARAC as an organization.  Specifically, SEARAC will promote the contribution of Southeast Asian Americans - most of whom arrived in the U.S. as refugees or are the children of refugees - to influence policies that impact refugees, and particularly refugees resettled in the United States.  Through a focus on "refugee advocacy" we will also promote policy changes that benefit immigrants and the nation more broadly.

Location of Position:  Washington, D.C.

Major Responsibilities:
* Conduct policy analysis and advocacy on issues such as immigration (including deportation), education, health, and economic empowerment.
* Assist with fundraising and reporting for programs under the position's management.
* Supervise between one and three interns each summer.

* Fundraising: Participate in fundraising for existing and new projects under this program area.
* Representation of Community Concerns: Represent SEA concerns with national and state legislators and other national-focused decision-makers.

Required Qualifications:
Legislative/Advocacy
* A minimum of one-year experience working for a member of U.S. Congress.
* Experience with legislative advocacy for the interests of SEA communities, including:
   o Familiarity with the legislative and appropriations process.
   o Experience working on immigration and education policies.

Communications
* Experience working with press including writing press releases, press advisories, etc.

Program Management
* Fundraising and program-planning experience.
* Experience in staff supervision and hiring.
* Extensive knowledge of SEA cultures and languages.
* Superior verbal and written communication abilities.
* Experience in budgeting, financial management, and project reporting.
* Ability to work with minimal direct supervision.
* Undergraduate degree.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Two or more years of experience in budgeting, financial management, and project reporting.
* Two or more years of experience with program planning and fundraising.
* Research and publication experience.

Compensation: $38,00-$40,000 depending on experience, plus a strong benefits package.

Starting Date: November 1, 2005

Deadline: This position is open until filled.

Application Procedure:  Please e-mail only a cover letter, resume, and two-page writing sample to:

Naomi Steinberg
Deputy Director
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
1628 16^th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Fax: 202/667-64490
E-mail: naomi@searac.org

/SEARAC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/

(http://www.searac.org)

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 TIPS/RESOURCES

FINANCE – TIPS FOR FINANCIAL REPORTS

Financial reporting is a key part of nonprofit operation, and the treasurer is responsible for preparing complete and straightforward financial reports for management, the board and others, including regulatory authorities.

In their book Financial and Accounting Guide for Not-For-Profit Organizations, Malvern J. Gross Jr., John H. McCarthy and Nancy E. Shelmon offer several characteristics for meaningful financial reports. These include:

- They should be easily comprehended so that any person of reasonable intelligence, taking the time to study them, will understand the financial picture of the organization.

- They should be concise so that the user will not get lost in the detail. The information should be presented in a consistent format each time the reports are prepared.

- They should be all-inclusive in scope and should embrace all activities of the organization. Individual funds, departments or account balances should be reported in context of the entire organization.

- They should have a focal point for comparison so that the user has some basis for making judgments and understanding the context of the information. The presentation might include comparative information for the current reporting period and period-to-date budget, the annual budget and the prior-year reporting period.

- They should be prepared on a timely basis to encourage timely corrective actions in response to the users' review. Two weeks after an interim month-end and three weeks after year-end are considered appropriate and timely.

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/finance.html)

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MANAGEMENT – LEADERSHIP AND ITS FOUR MAJOR ROLES

Leadership means being out in front and showing the way. But leaders know that even when they are supervising they are interacting in some way.

In their book Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations, Barry Dym and Harry Hutson maintain that relationships within an organization can be similar to family dynamics. With that in mind, they illustrate the four-player system, a framework of complex interactions developed by David Kantor and William Lehr.

According to this system, there are four basic roles people play when in groups. Further, a single person can play all of these roles over time and even in a single conversation.

The four roles are:

- The mover. This is the one who initiates the action or idea. This person need not be the originator of the idea.

- The follower. This person supports the mover's initiative. This person may also become involved after the interaction of the next role.

- The opposer. This one opposes initiatives. This opposition may come from a variety of motivations and is not necessarily bad.

- The bystander. This one steps back, gains perspective and comments on the process.

Just as these roles are flexible in effective systems, they can be damaging if people in the group become negatively identified with their roles. Chief financial officers may be opposers by necessity, for example, but they can be damaging if their opposition is personal or fixed and unchanging. Followers can support different movers, even supporting a compromise.

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/management.html)

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FUNDRAISING – DON’T BE AFRAID OF COMPETITION

Many nonprofit organizations believe that they face a tough fundraising task because of competition from organizations that provide the same or similar services and are asking the same people for money.

In his book Big Gifts for Small Groups, Andy Robinson argues that there is such an abundance of charitable dollars that there should be no fear of competition. Further, he maintains, organizations can benefit from others they consider to be "the competition."

What one nonprofit can gain from another is a pool of prospects who are likely to be sympathetic to an organization's cause. To expand the prospect pool, Robinson suggests:

- Contact all nonprofits operating in your area whose mission or constituency overlaps yours in any way, including local, regional and national organizations. Ask for their most recent annual report and request to be put on their mailing list for newsletters. If they only distribute newsletters to paid members, consider making a donation in order to join.

- Photocopy donor lists from the publications of other organizations and share them with board, staff, key volunteers and significant contributors. Ask them to check off any names they know.Compare these lists to your own. If you see any of your supporters, note how much they give to other groups. With luck, you will discover that many of your doors are giving more to another organization. These people should be prioritized for major gifts visits.

(http://www.nptimes.com/enews/tips/fundraise.html)

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 NEWS

September 16, 2005

PROPOSED FEDERAL CUTS WOULD LEAVE NONPROFITS SCRAMBLING, STUDY SUGGESTS

Federal programs of interest to nonprofit organizations will be cut between $40 billion and $71.5 billion over the next five years, a new analysis of the most recent presidential and congressional budget proposals from the Washington, D.C.-based Aspen Institute suggests (http://www.aspeninstitute.org/).

The Nonprofit Sector and the Federal Budget: Fiscal Year 2006 and Beyond (15 pages, PDF), by Alan Abramson, director of Aspen's Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy program (http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.612023/k.22C4/The_Nonprofit_Sector_and_Philanthropy_Program.htm), and Lester Salamon, director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civil Society Studies (http://www.jhu.edu/~ccss/), suggests that private charitable giving would have to increase two to three times its current rate in order to offset proposed reductions in housing, employment, education, and social services programs. Excluding spending for health and income assistance, the budget proposed by Congress would cut funding for programs of interest to nonprofit groups by $40 billion between 2005 and 2010. If the president's proposals are enacted, these same programs would be cut by $71.5 billion over that period.

Moreover, while the proposed reductions would almost certainly increase demand for nonprofit services, they would simultaneously reduce the funding many nonprofits have available to meet existing needs. According to the report, the first of a series Aspen will issue on the sector's fiscal health, public-sector funds have far surpassed private philanthropy as a source of nonprofit funding since the 1970s, and account for nearly one-third of total nonprofit sector income. Charitable donations, in contrast, account for just one-fifth of nonprofit income. It's unlikely, therefore, that donations by individuals, foundations, and corporations will offset reductions in federal spending.

To read or download the complete report, visit: http://www.nonprofitresearch.org/usr_doc/NS&FedBdgt.pdf.

“Will Proposed Federal Budget Cuts Leave Nation's Disaster-Recovery Groups Further at Risk.” Aspen Institute Press Release 9/14/05.

(http://www.nonprofitresearch.org/usr_doc/Release_Final_PDF.pdf)

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September 28, 2005

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE THE NAIL BUSINESS

Akeya Dickson
Nguoi Viet, News Feature

Editor's Note: Nguoi Viet 2 offers its “Stories from the Nail Salon” as an ongoing series that will examine the Vietnamese-run businesses thriving in various communities. Our goal is to gain perspective about its growth and how the industry looks today—decades after the 1975 Vietnamese settlement.

You don’t have to be a diva to get a “perfect 10.”

These days everybody wants well-groomed fingers and toes, judging by the explosion in nail salons offering a clip, polish and more for upward of $15.

Corporate professionals, busy moms, college students and prom-goers are all rushing to surrender their hands and feet to reflexology, paraffin wax dips, hydrating masks and salt scrubs in fancifully named spas.

People are getting their hands buffed and shaped for big events such as job interviews at which they want to impress. Some even have their business meetings in nail salons.

“The job market is becoming tougher, and people are competing at all levels now,” said Randy Currie, owner of Currie’s Skin and Hair Salons in Pennsylvania and Delaware. “It’s not enough anymore for people to be very smart in their field, but that they want you to look a certain way, too.”

The nail salon business is now worth more than $6 billion a year and starting to attract the attention of big-time investors, in addition to the mom-and-pop entrepreneurs who run most nail salons.

Big players move in

In October, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pilot-tested a nail salon sponsored by Rimmel London, a British cosmetics line, in Raleigh, N.C. After a good reception, Wal-Mart included a nail salon in its recently opened Super-center in Tyler, Texas.

Beauty-product company Elizabeth Arden Inc.’s Red Door Spa and Salons jumped at the nail-care trend by recently dedicating the sixth floor of its flagship store in New York to hair and nails.

Even investment guru Mario Gabelli has talked about the bright prospects for the sector. His investment firm has a $5 million stake in nail-polish maker Del Laboratories Inc. , according to the Thomson Financial’s Sharewatch service.

The number of salons in the United States has shot up to 53,615 in 2003 from 32,674 a decade ago, according to the Big Book, a statistics guide produced by Nails magazine.

The trend has also taken off in Britain, where the cost of a manicure is included in the government’s key inflation indexes.

Dashing diva

Salons such as Dashing Diva, a pink-splashed nail spa and boutique in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, are leading the craze for a “mani” and “pedi.”

“It’s a pampering service, and women feel they deserve it,” said general manager Margaret Pak. “That’s why so many salons can exist, with three on the same block.”

An average of 100 customers come in daily to get a “perfect set of ten” and bedazzle their hands and feet with rhinestones or glitter as they sit on the hot-pink cushions of the pedicure “thrones,” Pak said.

“It provides instant luxury, instant gratification,” she said.

Salons are rivaling coffee-chain Starbucks for presence on busy streets and trying to offer a similar relaxing experience.

“We are looking at Dashing Diva as a lifestyle environment, where it becomes a hangout place to get a drink with your friends, to just hang out and relax,” Pak said.

Asian-American-owned nail shops are driving the growth, with Vietnamese- Americans making up 37 percent of licensed technicians nationwide and dominating 80 percent of the industry in California.

Happy Nails, a 41-salon franchise based in Irvine with most of its salons in Orange County, is at the forefront and eager to become a publicly traded company.

“We need more people who are aware of that, more investors,” said Michael Tran, the chain’s operations coordinator.

Billion-dollar biz

U.S. nail salons raked in $6.53 billion in revenue in 2003, up 67 percent from 10 years ago, according to the Big Book.

As big-time operators circle, that is only likely to grow. “I could definitely see an opportunity where you would see more of a chain-type operation or a multistore operation,” said Elaine Lauer, Elizabeth Arden’s national spa director. “It doesn’t have to be a very large property. You see it with these neighborhood salons — you can’t go a block without seeing at least one.”

Regis Corp., a leading hair-care firm, has manicurists in some of its salons and says it recognizes the growth, but has no immediate plans to expand into nails.

Whatever happens, the trend seems set to stick.

Men are emerging as a key market, helped along by TV makeover shows like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”

Even children are taking part in the expanding scene, suggesting that the nail business will only get bigger as they grow older.

“There’s just more demand for products,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice president and art director of OPI, the leading professional salon nail polish manufacturer.

“Even young kids are getting decals and flowers on their toes.”

(http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=4afb34e71cc7be9d530db2492070689c)

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September 29, 2005

A MAG FOR OUR TIME?
13 Minutes aims to speak to a new generation of Asian-Americans.

By RICHARD CHANG
The Orange County Register

Quinn Bui hovers over a gigantic printing machine, one that's spitting out sheet after sheet of glossy, colorful, heavy-stock paper.

Bui is smiling, because this is something of a dream come true.

"I've talked about doing this for five or six years," he says of his new publication, 13 Minutes magazine, which makes its debut this month. "Now it's finally a reality."

The bimonthly magazine for Asian-Americans is produced at iMatrix, a printing company in a nondescript industrial complex in Fountain Valley. The editors are paying for the first issues out of their own pocket - about $25,000 for 4,000 copies of the premiere edition.

There's no sign outside the 13 Minutes offices, no indication that a hip arts, culture and fashion magazine is being created inside.

But the staff is working hard on producing an entertaining, engaging Asian-American publication that can speak to bicultural Asians ages 18-44.

"We recognize there's a market out there, and Asian-Americans are underrepresented," said Mai Bui, editor in chief of the fledgling magazine. "Younger folks, their voices are left unheard."

The Bui brothers are onto something. Asians have the fastest growth rate among all ethnic and racial groups in Orange County and the nation, according to the U.S. census. Asians comprise 15.5 percent of the county population, and 12.1 percent of the statewide populace, according to 2004 census figures.

Asians and Pacific Islanders are younger than the general Orange County population and they are better educated than the average American: 50 percent have earned a college degree, vs. 27 percent of the total U.S. population in 2003.

The buying power of Asians in California in 2004 was $128.6 billion, and more than double that nationwide. Asian spending power has increased 125 percent over the past decade, compared with 71 percent in the U.S. overall.

"If you look at Newport, a lot of the clientele is Asian," said Quinn Bui, 39. "If you look at South Coast Plaza, a lot of the spending money is Asian."

The New York-based Magazine Publishers of America has produced market profiles distinguishing Asian-Americans as one of the most desirable and sought-after audiences.

Despite all this, only a handful of media products cater specifically to Asian-Americans. And studies show that mainstream American TV programs and movies rarely include Asian actors or faces.

A look inside

The editors and staff named their publication 13 Minutes because that's the amount of time they want the average reader to take to read the magazine.

"It's about the amount of time you have (to read) in the bathroom," Quinn Bui joked.

They've divided the magazine into seven sections: entertainment, fashion, sex and relationships, culture, health and beauty, travel and cuisine.

There's an "Ask Keeley" advice column, pickup lines that work and astrological profiles for men and women.

The 79-page premiere, featuring actress Nancy Yoon on the cover, is heavy on fashion shots and professional photography, yet light on advertising or in-depth, investigative articles.

"I think 99 percent of people (who pick up a magazine) are looking at photos," Quinn Bui said. "That's why photos are so important. We're focusing on that because I came from the art perspective, which is fashion photos and stuff like that."

Managing editor Anh H. Do, 27, realizes there are other Asian-American magazines out there, but says there's room in the marketplace for 13 Minutes.

"I want (ours) to be a bicultural Asian magazine, for both Asians and non-Asians," she said. "I want it to capture Eastern and Western culture - Asian culture and American culture and being caught in between those two."

No hot potatoes

One thing the 13 Minutes editors aim to avoid is politics. Some topics are quite sensitive, particularly in the local Vietnamese-American community, which includes the magazine's top editors.

For instance, members of the Vietnamese community forced the cancellation last year of a TV show called "VAX: Vietnamese American Xposure" on Westminster-based Saigon TV. The English-language program aired images of Ho Chi Minh and the communist Vietnam flag for about five seconds, provoking an uproar.

"We don't want to have anything to do with political stuff," Quinn Bui said. "We just want to keep you happy, make your day go a little bit better."

The 13 Minutes staff has already mapped out the next five issues. Actress Naureen Zaim ("The Wedding Crashers") will be on the October/November cover.

The premiere issue is being sent to the magazine's 200-300 subscribers, who learned of the publication through word of mouth, fliers at clubs, trade shows and festivals, an article in a Vietnamese-language newspaper and a segment on Vietnamese TV. It will also be distributed to independent bookstores, hotels, doctor's offices and salons.

Editors have been in discussions with Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Borders Books, and hope to have 13 Minutes on their shelves by early next year. They're shooting for 15,000 copies of the next issue, and up to 30,000 after that.

"We want fresh voices that a variety of people can relate to," Mai Bui said. "We want young and mature Asian-Americans to express themselves, read it and relate. We hope to be a place where people can come together."

CONTACT US: (714) 796-6026 or rchang@ocregister.com

(http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/homepage/article_693483.php)

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September 29, 2005

REFUGEES JOIN NEW EXODUS ON COAST

By Esther Wu

In 1981, Tuyet Nguyen and her sister Phuong Loan were among tens of thousands of boat people who escaped war-torn Vietnam. And when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last month, she and her sister found themselves fleeing their homes again.

"The first time I thought I would die," said Tuyet, 40. "If the boat sank, the fish would eat me. If the Viet Cong caught us and forced us back, I would die. I knew I would never see our parents again. It was out of my hands."

Tuyet said those feelings of despair returned when she fled from Katrina. But, she said, this time instead of feeling totally helpless while adrift, she had to take charge of the situation.

"In some ways it was worse this time. ... What if we made the wrong choice? This time we were responsible for other people."

Andy Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese American Community of Greater Tarrant County, estimates that more than 700 Vietnamese-Americans evacuated to North Texas during Hurricane Katrina. An additional 100 arrived from Port Arthur and Beaumont after Hurricane Rita.

Mr. Nguyen, who is not related to the sisters, said his organization has teamed up with the VAC of Greater Dallas to find food, clothing and funds for evacuees. The local communities have raised more than $200,000 to help those affected by the hurricanes.

Officials estimate that about 35,000 Vietnamese-Americans lived in the areas devastated by Katrina. And about 20,000 Asian-Americans lived in the areas affected by Rita.

Many of the Vietnamese, according to Mr. Nguyen, are first-generation immigrants who were attracted to the coast by the fishing industry.

"It was something they did back home that they could do here," he said. "And because they lived among other Vietnamese people, many never learned to speak English."

Many of them could not understand the evacuation orders. Others refused to be uprooted from their homes a second time and may have perished.

Tuyet and her family left the day after Katrina swept through New Orleans.

"My sister, her husband, their three kids, my brother, my husband and I were in the car for 20 hours before we came to Dallas," she said.

The family originally went to Houston but decided to continue on to Dallas, where Phuong's daughter thought she might have a better chance at continuing her medical studies. She had just started at Xavier University of Louisiana, Tuyet said.

Phuong's daughter, Juliet Tran, is now enrolled at Baylor Medical School.

Phuong and her family returned home to Kinder, La., with their two other children last week. However Tuyet and her husband have decided to stay with relatives in Garland for a while longer.

During Rita, Phuong and her family were forced to leave their home again.

Unable to find a motel or a shelter, family members lived in their car for two days.

Tuyet's house just outside New Orleans is still standing, but her brother-in-law says there is a bad smell everywhere.

"The storm blew off part of the roof," said Tuyet. "This was our first house. My husband and I had to borrow money from our families to buy it. We didn't have enough to buy insurance yet. We were going to do it next month."

Hong Tran, 24, is also a Katrina evacuee.

She came to the United States at age 9 to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans.

Hong admits she didn't take the advance warnings very seriously. "Living in that area, you get a lot of hurricane threats," she said. "I didn't think this one would hit as hard as it did."

Her aunt and uncle and their three children fled to Houston the day before Katrina struck. Hong and two of her friends made their way to Dallas, where they found shelter at Reunion Arena before finding a friend of a friend who could take them in.

Hong was on her way back to New Orleans on Monday. She said she had not been able to reach her aunt and uncle for several days and hopes to find them there. She and her friends want to see if anything can be salvaged from their homes, if they have homes to return to. Until then, their lives are on hold. She knows that Hurricane Rita has worsened the situation in Louisiana.

"But it can't be as bad as not knowing anything at all," she said.

E-mail ewu@dallasnews.com

 (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/all/stories/DN-wu_29met.ART0.North.Edition2.17d24e81.html)

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September 30, 2005

 MIKE HONDA: “I WAS OUTRAGED”

By Mike Honda

Each day since Hurricane Katrina descended upon the Gulf Coast, Americans have viewed images of the devastation suffered by residents of the region, particularly those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. And each day, individual Americans have shown their generosity and compassion by offering assistance to those who have lost everything.

The response of the American people reflects our shared commitment and devotion. The response of the federal government, however, reflects something less noble.

Like so many Americans across the country, I was outraged at the slow-moving federal response to Hurricane Katrina. When tens of thousands of people were going without the assistance they desperately needed, President Bush relaxed on his country estate at the tail end of a five-week vacation. We still do not know how many lives were lost due to indecision and poor management by the likes of former FEMA Chief Mike Brown and current Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff.

In New Orleans, the wrath of Katrina fell disproportionately on those who were unable to evacuate the city due to limited access to transportation, fuel and money. Overwhelmingly, these victims were members of minority communities, and their near-Biblical plight exposes the sad reality that, in America today, economic disparities persist and can have tragic consequences.

Many of the victims shown on evening newscasts were black American, longtime New Orleanians whom the government either forgot about or treated with criminal indifference. Many members of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community also bore the brunt of Katrina’s destruction, and are struggling right now to recover their tenuous foothold in society.

Small fishing towns such as Bayou LaBatre, which is south of Mobile, Alabama, have significant Vietnamese communities that were badly battered by Katrina. APAs who have worked hard to build up a fleet of shrimp boats along the Gulf Coast have lost everything and been forced to depart the area where they have invested a lifetime of hard work.

Before Katrina, Texas had about 134,000 Vietnamese, a sizable portion of the country’s total Vietnamese American population of more than 1.2 million. Approximately one-half of Louisiana’s 30,000 Vietnamese have taken refuge in Houston, a gigantic displacement that is being assisted by the community’s established leadership.

Other APA groups have faced similar disruption, including hundreds of Laotians and Cambodians who are being housed in temporary shelter in Louisiana’s Wat Lao Thammarattanaram. Leaders of the Laotian community, along with the Red Cross and other relief organizations, are working hard to provide necessary assistance for these evacuees.

As caregivers mobilize to care for victims, I am concerned that many APAs will not get necessary treatment due to long-standing disparities in health care. There is a lack of language access, for example, which underscores a persistent failure of services in this country.

Such disparities are very real, and they exist throughout American society. Specific services such as providing linguistic and culturally competent care are essential to addressing all the wide-ranging needs within the various APA communities. Many of the storm-related fatalities will likely result from inadequate medical care.

As a country, we must address the disparities that increasingly separate the haves from the have-nots. In providing crisis management and rebuilding assistance, we must strive toward a unified America that erases such disparities.

For my part, I am trying to address healthcare disparities in this country through “Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act,” legislation I introduced on July 28. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I will continue to coordinate with both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to push Tri-Caucus efforts to address the needs of the minority communities that have been adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, and to address the disparities that threaten to create permanent divisions in our country.

 (http://news.asianweek.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=8cb1799be9fbe9e10b4f3c2673cd6272&this_category_id=172)

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September 30, 2005

GRANTS SUPPORT BETTER ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE

WASHINGTON -- HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the award of more than $12 million to support minority individuals, families, and children affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The grants will support greater access to health and behavioral health care services, assistance through faith-based and community organizations, and enhanced communications through minority media outlets.

"During times of crisis, for many Americans, faith-based and community organizations have been among those compassionate helping hands reaching out to those who need it most," Secretary Leavitt said. "These awards will ensure that Hurricane Katrina evacuees, minorities in particular, have knowledge of and access to the health care and counseling they may need."

Through these grants, an aggressive outreach effort will be initiated through faith-based and community organizations, other organizations known to racial and ethnic minorities, and minority media outlets to further facilitate engagement of displaced families and individuals in health and behavioral

health care services.

"Minority communities are among those most highly impacted by the terrible destruction of Hurricane Katrina," said Dr. Garth Graham, HHS deputy assistant secretary for minority health. "With the announcement of these awards, we are partnering with key institutions in the African American, Hispanic, and Asian communities to bring desperately needed health care services, information, and hope to the rebuilding effort."

The National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) will play a large role in the relief efforts. The NCMHD promotes minority health, leads, coordinates, supports, and assesses the NIH effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities.

"Community involvement and partnerships are vital components in confronting any crisis," said Dr. John Ruffin, NCMHD director. "The NCMHD Health Disparities Centers of Excellence has a strong cadre of institutions including Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a solid community outreach base. Together, they bring the vast expertise needed – great science, cultural sensitivity, community trust and credibility to the arduous task of relief and reconstruction in health disparity communities devastated by Katrina."

Specifically, the grants will include:

* $5,000,000 to the HHS/NIH/NCMHD health disparities centers of excellence in the Gulf Coast and surrounding states to support innovative approaches to relief activities, including culturally relevant mental health services, bringing electronic health records to mobile units and other such activities;

* $4,782,746 to State Offices of Minority Health to support efforts to improve the health and well-being of racial/ethnic minorities in particular those affected by Hurricane Katrina;

* $599,940 in supplemental funding for six State Offices of Minority Health greatly impacted by Katrina (AL, AR, LA, MS, TN and TX);

* $300,000 to support a Katrina Relief Network formed by the National Black Nurses Association, National Association of Black Social Workers and the Association of Black Psychiatrists;

* $210,000 to the Interdenominational Theological Center to support their "Caring for the City" Emotional Support Center Program, providing counseling services through churches;

* $225,000 to the National Urban League