Dear Community and Accomplices—

There are questions that cycle rapidly in the last few years that come up every time an intersection of tragedies strikes in our diaspora — will we be next? Will it happen here in New Orleans? How do we move past fear and anger to care for each other?

As the patriarchy does not need men present to be gate kept, white bodies do not need to be present for White Supremacy to occur.
When violence happens so often over such a short time we remember the systemic patterns of injustice too well. This grief is too familiar for our elders and families alike.
This is not something we can intellectualize — the body truly keeps the score.

To be Asian in America and to be Asian American is to be in constant mourning. Being in community at this time is a practice of grief amidst our deepest ancestral celebrations and traditions.
To be an Asian American Advocate at this time is to understand how community is often our first and only place of safety. As we celebrate the Year of the Rabbit and Cat, there is no better time to reimagine our joy, to be unapologetic in our heritage and existence — most importantly, to be reminded of how natural it is for us to take care of one another.

As we continue to process the tragic events that unfolded in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay amidst interwoven intersections of oppression and justice — VAYLA remains steadfast in our mission.
There is work to be done. And you can help.
If you consume Asian culture you must protect Asian people.

We hope folks will continue showing up for our communities beyond times of immediate crises.

Thank you for continuing to support VAYLA as a place of regeneration and incubation for the leaders of today and tomorrow. Please see the following resources from our national partners as well as official donation links for the impacted communities, and be on the lookout for upcoming #AAPIRISING: Soul Care and our March Vigil.

With Radical Love for Our Shared Liberated Futures,
Jacqueline Thanh, MSW

Supporting Our Communities & Ourselves:
Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund
Half Moon Bay Victims Fund

Mental Health Support:
Asian Mental Health Project:
Asian Men’s Mental Wellness Group: biweekly on Tuesdays at 7pm CT

Asian Mental Health Collective:
Holding Space: virtual community support group (Sunday 2/5 at 3pm CT)
Guide on processing collective trauma, vicarious trauma, and grief
Visit their page for an Asian therapist directory and additional resources.

Multi-lingual Resources:
AAPI Equity Alliance: Support for Monterey Park
Asian Community Resource Hub
AAJC SoCal’s safe, confidential phone lines:
ENGLISH: 888.349.9695
普通话/广东话: 800.520.2356
한국어: 800.867.3640
TAGALOG: 855.300.2552
हिन्दी: 855.971.2552
ภาษาไทย: 800.914.9583
TIẾNG VIỆT: 714.477.2958