Newsletter

National CAPACD held our Empowerment Economics Summit in Portland, OR. Twelve of our members attended this training to learn more about Empowerment Economics – a culturally responsive framework to approaching financial capability in low-income Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, as well as other BIPOC communities. Participants shared tips and strategies to address barriers their programs or organizations face in implementing the framework, and developed action plans that they will take back to their communities and organizations. Participants also joined a community walking tour led by APANO, which hosted the convening at their Art + Justice Lab / Event Space. The tour showcased small businesses, housing developments, and other economic development projects in Portland’s Jade District.

Thank you to our trainers Taelani Camacho and Jacquelyn Lekhraj, as well as our Empowerment Economics partner, the Leah Zallman Center. 

National CAPACD hosted our annual Housing Counseling Convening in Los Angeles, CA. Members of our Housing Counseling Network engaged in peer learning activities and an in-depth training focused on strengthening the delivery of HUD-compliant, client-centered housing counseling services. The training emphasized core counseling skills, culturally responsive practices, and strategies for better serving diverse communities.

Participants went on a bus tour of Koreatown, led by our hosts, the Korean Resource Center (KRC). Stops included gathering places for immigrant communities and the Korean Cultural Center LA, where participants explored Korea’s cultural influence in the United States. KRC staff closed the day with a pungmul (traditional Korean drumming) performance, demonstrating how this cultural tradition is an integral part of their organizing and advocacy for Korean and immigrant communities. In total, 20 housing counseling staff and counselors from National CAPACD’s network of 16 agencies came together to exchange best practices and build connections to strengthen their programs and impact.

As part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, National CAPACD held a convening in Minneapolis, MN, for our coalition members based in the Midwest and Southern regions. This convening brought together over 50 participants representing 33 organizations. The convening began with a community roundtable on the economic realities of AA and NHPI communities, featuring 85 Community Development Corporation, Song Community Development Corporation, and Hmong American Partnership (HAP). Participants also engaged in discussions about the issues that most impact AA and NHPI communities in this moment. After the roundtable, they joined a Cultural Anchors tour of Little Mekong, led by Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA). We would like to thank the McKnight Foundation for hosting the convening.

National CAPACD will host our final anniversary convening for our coalition members based in the Eastern region in Washington, D.C., in early October!