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Summary
Timeline
How We Began
The New York Asian Women's Center was founded in 1982 by a small group
of volunteers from the Asian community, who recognized that Asian immigrant
women had nowhere to turn when faced with domestic violence.
What began as a community awareness project, soon grew to include a
hotline, available just a few hours a week. Led by Founding Executive
Director, Pat Eng, the hotline was run by volunteers out of a supporter's
office, with the phone hidden in a file cabinet during off hours. As
awareness spread throughout the community, more operating hours and
languages were added to the hotline.
How We Grew
In 1985, volunteers began to take battered women and children into their
homes during emergency situations, effectively creating the first organized
shelter program for battered Asian women on the East Coast. Two years
later, NYAWC hired its first full-time staff, and in 1988 we began offering
"safe apartments" to provide shelter facilities for battered
women and children.
NYAWC services continued to grow with our Children's Program, launched
in 1995, offering counseling, play-therapy, and parenting skill services.
In 1999, we opened our second safe facility for women, and in 2001 we
began offering 24-hour emergency shelter.
Where We Are Now
In the last few years, our shelter services have grown to include three
24-hour facilities with a total capacity of 57 beds. With the goal of
owning, rather than renting all of our shelters, we purchased our first
facility in 2003, and are currently working to complete our second owned
facility. Our non-residential services have grown into our Shelter Alternatives:
Fostering Empowerment (SAFE) program, serving and empowering women within
their own communities. We now have more than 60 staff, offering services
in a total of 15 different Asian languages and dialects.
Timeline
| 1982 |
Pat Eng directs the first meeting to discuss issues affecting Asian women rarely addressed in the community - specifically focusing on domestic violence. |
| 1983 |
NYAWC launches a community awareness campaign on domestic violence issues. |
| 1984 |
All-volunteer counseling training program is held. First ever hotline for battered Asian women is launched with limited hours of availability. |
| 1985 |
Volunteers personally take battered women and children into their homes during emergency situations, effectively creating the first organized shelter program for battered Asian women on the East Coast. First fundraising event is organized by a coalition of community women's groups. |
| 1986 |
In response to a physical assault of a woman at a community space, NYAWC and other groups mobilize the community with the first major undertaking to raise public awareness through the Coalition Against Violence in the Community. |
| 1987 |
First full-time staff member is hired. |
| 1988 |
Establishes "safe apartments" that provide facilities to battered women and children. |
| 1989 |
NYAWC and other community groups organize the "Cultural Defense" forum in response to the sentencing of Dong Lu Chen, an immigrant man who had beaten his wife to death with a hammer and was sentenced to only a five-year probation. |
| 1990 |
Establishes the first ever 24-hour Asian multilingual hotline in NYC, staffed solely by volunteers. Governor Mario Cuomo awards NYAWC with the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award. Receives Susan B. Anthony Award from NOW-NYC. |
| 1991 |
President George Bush awards NYAWC with the President's Volunteer Action Award. Inaugural issue of Center's trilingual newsletter is published. |
| 1992 |
City officials award NYAWC and its volunteers for 10 years of unrelenting efforts to combat violence against women in "A Tribute to Volunteers" ceremony held at City Hall. Receives Gloria Steinem "Women of Vision" Award from Ms. Foundation For Women. Receives Woman Warrior Award from Asian Pacific Women's Network. |
| 1994 |
Receives Celebrating Women's Lives Award from Sakhi for South Asian Women. |
| 1995 |
Children's Program is established, offering counseling, play-therapy and parenting skills services. |
| 1997 |
Celebratory 15th Anniversary event "In Honor of Battered Asian Women's Strength & Courage" is held at City Hall. |
| 1998 |
“Asian Youth Mentor Program” is launched as a collaborative project with Columbia University's Asian Youth Program. |
| 1999 |
NYAWC opens second emergency shelter facility. |
| 2000 |
Volunteers help create and launch the official NYAWC website: www.nyawc.org |
| 2001 |
NYAWC establishes first 24-hour shelter facility. Receives Nav Nirmaan Community Service Award. |
| 2002 |
Governor George Pataki presents Justice, Freedom and Courage Awards to End Domestic Violence Award. Adds a third residential facility for battered women and children. Landmark 20th Anniversary Gala "Rising From the Ashes: Celebrating 20 Years of Women's Courage & Strength" is held at the Tribeca Rooftop. |
| 2003 |
NYAWC makes its first purchase of a shelter facility. Executive Director Tuhina De O'Connor receives the Hero Award from Robin Hood Foundation. |
| 2004 |
NYAWC's first owned shelter, known as Rose House, opens to serve battered women and their children. |
| 2005 |
NYAWC is awarded 20-bed facility from the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation. Honored as a Community Champion by Newsweek. Launches Project Free: Ending Modern-day Slavery program for victims of human trafficking. |
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