We’ll continue our planning for our June fundraiser. Whether you’re a long-time member or you just want to learn more about the giving circle, all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

Please save the date and spread the word about this special networking and fundraising event in support of our giving circle!

Since 2009, we have raised over $25,000 and funded seven nonprofit organizations working to advance positive social change in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities of the Washington, DC metro area. This year, our goal is to raise $10,000, and we can’t do it without your continued support.

The June 5 event will kick-off our 2013 fundraising and outreach efforts. Join us to demonstrate your commitment to our giving circle and our future grantees, and bring some friends to widen our circle. We’ll be suggesting a $20 donation at the door, raffling some fun prizes, and accepting membership pledges.

Also joining us to share stories of CBGC’s impact on their work will be some of our past grantees: Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL), and Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co.

About our host: If you don’t know Christopher Y. Chan from his service on the DC Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs or as President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington DC Area, you might recognize him—and his home—from the HGTV show, My First Place!

• The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)‘s Second Annual APA Heritage Ball will take place on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 pm at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert Street NW, near the Woodley Park Metro Station). Admission includes heavy hors d’oeurves, open bar, silent auction, and special guest performances. Buy your tickets today! All proceeds will benefit CAPAL.

• The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) is holding a photo exhibition, “The Faces of Courage,” on Saturday, May 11 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. This family event celebrates the courage and resiliency of survivors of sexual and domestic violence during May’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The event is at the Association of Small Foundations (1720 N Street NW, near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North and West Metro stations). Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Purchase your tickets today! All proceeds will go to support DVRP’s work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

• DVRP will also have a table at Fiesta Asia on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. This is the 8th Annual Asian Heritage Month Street Festival in DC and is one of the largest on the East Coast. It will be held on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th streets. Admission is free. Visit www.asiaheritagefoundation.org for more information.

• Finally, the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Spoken Word and Poetry Summit will be held from Wednesday, August 28- Saturday, August 31 at various sites around DC. This four-day gathering is rooted in a celebratory spirit, and it aims to make meaningful connections between and present AAPI spoken word and literary performers, slam poets, and writers. Sign up on their website–lappfest.org–to get updates.

We’ll be meeting at the Grantmakers in Health offices at 1100 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1200 (closest Metro stops: Farragut North and Farragut West). You’ll need to sign in at the front desk before heading up to the 12th floor.

Whether you’re a member or just interested in finding out more about our giving circle, all are welcome to attend the meeting. Also, some of us will probably grab a casual dinner nearby after the meeting, and we’d love to have you join us if you’re available.

If possible, please RSVP to dcgivingcircle@gmail.com, so we know who to expect, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks to everyone who attended last Friday”s reception with the 2013 National Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) fellows! They are amazing women who are working hard to improve their communities. Each woman–including Priscilla Ouchida (Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League), Cuc Vu, (Chief Diversity Officer of the Human Rights Campaign), and Pang Houa Moua Toy (Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center)–told us about themselves and the “stretch” project they are implementing as part of the program.

And another thank you to everyone who attended the 15th Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk last Saturday. In addition to enjoying the sunny weather and the blossoming trees, we heard from several great speakers, including the Honorable Norman Mineta, former member of Congress and Cabinet Secretary.

• Meet the 2013 National Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) fellows on Friday, April 5 at 6 pm! The National APAWLI Program is a seven-month program that supports the growth of APA women leaders from across the country. This year’s class includes three great women from the DC area:
  • Priscilla Ouchida, Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League
  • Pang Houa Moua Toy, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
  • Cuc Vu, Chief Diversity Officer of the Human Rights Campaign

The Center for Asian Pacific American Women, which runs the National APAWLI Program, is led by giving circle member, Rosie Abriam.

The reception will take place at AARP’s Brickfield Conference Center (601 E Street NW). RSVP by Monday, April 1 at http://2013apawlidcreception.eventbrite.com.

• Get some exercise and honor the 25th anniversary of the civil liberties act of 1988 at the 15th annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk on Saturday, April 6 at 9 am. This year’s keynote speaker is Jodie Z. Bernstein, Chair of the commission on the wartime relocation and internment of civilians.

Check-in opens at at 9 am, and the opening ceremony starts at 10 am. The walk starts at the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism (Intersection of New Jersey Ave, Louisiana Ave and D St NW, near Union Station). There is no cost to attend.

• Celebrate 17 years of crucial work by the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) on Wednesday, April 10 at 6 pm! Seventeen years ago, DVRP started as an all-volunteer organization and has grown to serve over 600 survivors of domestic violence in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We gave grants to support the organization’s important work in 2010 and 2012.

At the reception, meet DVRP’s recently named interim executive director, Jessica Li (also one of the newest members of our giving circle), as well as DVRP’s newly elected board president and vice President. You can also learn about opportunities to engage with DVRP’s work to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities.

The reception, which is free and open to all, is taking place at O’Melveny & Myers LLP at 1625 I Street NW. RSVP today at http://dvrp2013.eventbrite.com/!

• Learn more about online giving at a discussion hosted by the local chapters of Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) on Monday, April 15 at 6 pm. The theme of the discussion is ”Online Giving Trends and Best Practices,” and guest speakers include Alison Carlman, Unmarketing Manager at Global Giving, and Stacie Mann Kronthal, Vice President of Partnerships at Network for Good.

This engaging discussion will take place at at the Case Foundation (1717 Rhode Island Ave NW). RSVP at http://onlinegivingtrends.eventbrite.com/.

• Join us at our Thursday, April 25 at 6 pm for our next giving circle meeting. We are continuing to plan our events for the year and welcome new ideas from members and guests. We’ll provide more details once the date gets closer.
• Finally, this isn’t in April but save the date for the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)‘s Second Annual APA Heritage Ball, which will take place on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 pm. In 2012, we gave CAPAL a grant for its great work in promoting public service within the Asian Pacific American community.

To meet her and learn more about DVRP’s work, be sure to attend their Moving Forward Reception on Wednesday, April 10 from 6 to 8 pm. The reception, which is free and open to all, is taking place at O’Melveny & Myers LLP at 1625 I Street NW. RSVP today at http://dvrp2013.eventbrite.com/!

Jessica Li is the Director of Programs for the Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP). She oversees direct services for survivors of domestic violence, community outreach programming and spearheads DVRP’s fundraising efforts. Jessica has worked with the Metropolitan Police Department Asian Liaison Unit, domestic violence agencies (such as DC SAFE and the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and A/PI community leaders to raise awareness about services for survivors. She is also a member of the Cherry Blossom Giving Circle and a Board Member with the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)…

Read the rest in the OAPIA newsletter.

Also, be sure to read the inspiring story of Rosie Abriam, another one of our members. She’s one of the talented women featured on website of Lean In (the non-profit from Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO).

Long before reality television there was a game show called To Tell the Truth. The show featured a panel of celebrity judges who attempted to identify the contestant who had a true, yet unusual occupation or experience.

In my version of the show, Contestant 1 would say, “As a young girl, I wanted to be a nun. That changed in high school when Sister Rosina asked me, “Which college do you want to attend when you graduate?” I replied, “Cal or Stanford.” She paused before saying, “Honey, I think you should set your sights lower.”…

Read the rest on the Lean In website.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the giving circle, email us at dcgivingcircle@gmail.com or message us via Facebook. We’re happy to meet up with you to learn about your interests and ideas, and we’ll be sure to invite you to our future meetings and events.

All are welcome to join us. This will be a great opportunity to meet the other giving circle members and to learn about the many different ways you can get involved.

Email us at dcgivingcircle@gmail.com to RSVP and for directions.