Asian Pacific Island Social Work Council Celebrates 20th Anniversary

By Nancy Lim-Yee, LCSW

On August 22, 2015, about 60 social workers, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Hong Kong Flower Lounge Restaurant in Millbrae, California to celebrate the Asian Pacific Islander Social Work Council’s (APISWC) 20^th anniversary. This milestone event provided an opportunity for Council members to recognize and honor its founding members Nancy Lim-Yee, Dr. Susan Sung, and Janice Wong, as well as Janlee Wong, Executive Director of NASW-CA.  Mr. Wong was instrumental in the formation of the Council in the Fall of 1995 and has been a strong supporter ever since.

The Council received proclamations from Assemblymember Phil Ting and San Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee in recognition of the Council’s work during the past twenty years. Mayor Lee even proclaimed August 22, 2015 as “Asian Pacific Islander Social Work Council Day” in San Francisco.  What a wonderful honor!

APISWC’s mission is to advance the social issues of API populations through advocacy, consciousness building, education, and political action.  The Council has achieved our mission by sponsoring workshops and events addressing issues related to social justice, mental health, cultural competence, and advocacy; mentoring social work students and new social work practitioners; advocating for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in the various API communities; and chronicling the many important contributions of Asian social workers.

The Council looks forward to another decade of advocacy, consciousness building, education, and political action.  Interested individuals can visit our website at www.apiswc.org for more information and to add yourself onto our email list serve.

Photo: Left to right Council Co-Chair, William Lee; Dr. Susan Sung; Janlee Wong; Nancy Lim-Yee; Janice Wong