The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) and the Longwood Symphony Orchestra paired up once more for a 2nd Annual concert, titled “Youth and Friendship”, to benefit the Children and Families program of ATASK, and to honor the memory of former board member, Pamela Whitney. The concert was held at Jordon Hall at the New England Conservatory of Music on May 14th.

The event opened with a welcome by President Linda Chin and Tien Ung.  The concert was commemorated by Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, with official citations for ATASK and Pam Whitney.  The LSO musicians, made up of members from Boston’s medical community treated the audience to a delightful classical concert including a special piano performance by , Charlie Albright , 2009 Young Concert Artist International Auditions Winner.

The star studded attendee list included: 

Linda Chin (ATASK President);
Lisa Wong, M.D. (President of Longwood Symphony Orchestra);
Dr. Psyche Loui (neuroscientist specializing in the effect of music on the brain);
Guest conductor Lawrence Isaacson;
Charlie Albright (2009 Young Concert Artist International Auditions Winner); Michael Durkin (President of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley);
Consul General of Japan in Boston, Takeshi Hikihara;
Janet Wu (WHDH/7 NEWS);
Nancy and Tim Cushman (o ya restaurant);
Sarah Kim (ATASK Board/attorney, Bingham McCutchen, LLP);
Manju Sheth, M.D. (ATASK Board/North East Health System);
Sukanya Ray, Ph.D. (ATASK Board/Associate Professor in Psychology, Suffolk University, Staff Clinician, Asian Team, Cambridge Health Alliance);
Kija Kim (ATASK Board Chair);
Catherine Coburn (ATASK Board Vice Chair);
Tien Ung (ATASK Staff/Assistant Professor, Practice Sequence, Simmons College School of Social Work);
Sherry Dong (Community Health Improvement Programs, Tufts Medical Center);
Violinist Lynn Chang (husband of Lisa Wong, MD, President of LSO)

The invitation design was a creation based on artwork by children’s author/illustrator, Grace Lin, with a message “Peaceful Homes Let Children Soar” supporting the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence’s wish for a world without violence.  Ready-to-frame poster reproductions of the print are available for purchase from ATASK, with the proceeds benefiting the children and families in need.

The mission of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) is to provide hope to survivors and prevent domestic violence in Asian families and communities. ATASK is New England’s only provider of linguistically and culturally appropriate services and programs for Asian survivors of domestic violence. For domestic violence victims who are unsafe, helpless and hopeless, ATASK offers a safe haven, help and hope over fear.
                    
ATASK offers:
Housing in their emergency shelter
Outreach to Asian communities and a 24-hour multi-lingual helpline
Programs and services that support clients and their children and empower them to live independent lives
Education and training for youth, providers, and the public

To learn more about ATASK please check their website at http://www.atask.org/site/

About Pam Whitney
In November 2010, Pamela Whitney passed away after battling cancer. Her loss is keenly felt by those who were privileged to know her and work with her, including the staff and Board of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, where she served as a Board member and Chair of the Program Committee. Pam brought impressive credentials to her role. As Assistant Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families from 1986 to 2007, Pam helped create one the nation’s first internal domestic violence programs within a public child welfare agency, to better identify and serve families where these issues overlapped. Pam’s specialty was in the co-occurring problems of domestic violence and child maltreatment, and in building connections between formal systems and community partners. The Department of Children and Families, the Children’s Trust Fund, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers were clients of her consulting practice. For ATASK, Pam provided expertise in creating, improving, and building the organization’s continuum of services and new programs, and invaluable guidance to its staff of direct service professionals. She contributed to the development of the “Peaceful Homes Let Children Soar” message. At her untimely passing, Pam was involved in developing ATASK’s service model, transitional housing program, social work fellowship, and enhanced children’s service. Pam was an integrator of ideas, of communities, of organizations, and fostered dialogue and collaboration. She is greatly missed, and ATASK hopes to honor her by continuing the work for children and families she was so deeply committed to.


About the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

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