An ambitious agenda awaits the Asian American commission as it announced a 25,000 grant by the Boston Foundation in their kickoff media conference held at the State House on January 15th, 2008.

The grant will be used to conduct a statewide Needs Assessment of the Asian American community and will have three components to it, announced Leverett Wing, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Commission. Welcoming the media, Neelam Wali, Chair of the Commission gave an introduction to the Commission and the people behind it and said, “We are excited at what the New Year will bring for the Commission and the Asian American community, in general,” “This type of needs assessment has never been done on a statewide level, and we’re going to try to be as thorough and inclusive as possible.”

The first component of the study would be holding town meetings at places with highest concentration of Asian Populations. Two such events have already been held at Lowell and Quincy. The next town meeting will be held on January 31^st at the Vietnamese Center in Dorchester.

The second component would be on focus groups that will explore in depth, issues affecting the Asian American communities. Such issues, according to Wing, may cover Health care, economic development and Education. The commissioners hope that this will help bring local issues affecting the people in the community to be noticed so either support or awareness can be provided within the town.

Finally the Commission also will hold a statewide survey/poll designed in a manner that will provide statistical data to supplement the anecdotal data received from the town meetings and the focus groups

“The community’s’ role and support is vital and crucial for this to be a success”, according to the commissioners. The commission hoped that it will receive such a support through the ethnic media, community leaders and other support structures. The commission also hopes to further strengthen its staff and resources through internships and volunteers in order to make the study a success. Plans include a Unity fundraising dinner on May 16^th, 2008 at the Sheraton. For more information go to http://www.mass.gov/treasury/aac/index.htm

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