First Honoree:
Dr. Eric Whitaker, (3rd person from the left) the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, has devoted his career to minority health and community-based health initiatives, and he has made these issues priorities within IDPH. The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois have especially appreciated his efforts to include Asian Americans in grant making and decision-making processes, as well as his commitment to improving the quality of Asian American health data at the state level.
The award reads: “The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois honors Dr. Eric Whitaker, Illinois Department of Public Health, for outstanding leadership in addressing Asian American health disparities, November 9, 2005.”
Second Honoree:
Sommala Vilaysane, (2nd person from the left) who is well known to many in the Laotian community as well as in the funding world, has been an active volunteer and leader in the Laotian community since she and her family arrived in Chicago as refugees in 1979. Her fluency in Lao and Thai has allowed her to play a vital role in connecting her often-overlooked community to much needed resources. Most recently, she was as leader the Lao Community Health Project, which organized a series of health fairs and workshops for the Lao community in Elgin. Sommala recruited volunteer interpreters, mobilized community leaders, compiled health educational materials, and translated documents for the project. Several community-based organizations have also benefited from her financial skills and leadership.
Diagnosed with a benign brain tumor last year, she underwent surgery in 2004 and is continuing to receive treatment. Throughout her illness and recovery, Sommala has remained a tireless advocate for the community and a dedicated volunteer.
The award reads: “The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois honors Sommala Vilaysane, Community Activist, for outstanding leadership in increasing health care access for Asian Americans, November 9, 2005.”
Open House:
Appreciation Award to Joanna by Donny Chen:
The Asian Health Coalition of Illinois held an Open House on Sept. 29, 2005 to welcome incoming Executive Director, Dr. Hong Liu and saying farewell to outgoing Executive Director Joanna Su in the Bridgeview Bank Building. In the photo, the Board Secretary, Donny Chen, is presenting an appreciation plaque and a thank-you gift to Joanna Su to thank her for her hard work and great leadership in building a solid foundation for the Coalition in the past five yeas. Side by side in the photo are AHCI’s past and current board members.
The Other Open House:
AHCI board members, staff, and guests are chatting and networking with each other at the Open House event on Sept. 29, 2005.
Press Conference:
The photo was taking at the Asian Health Coalition’s Press Conference on Nov. 3, 2005 to present the results of the Health Access Disparities Project and report. In the photo are members of the Advisory Board serving the Health Access Disparities Project.
The Health Access Disparities Project seeks to understand the needs and the disparities to accessing health care among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Illinois and make recommendations for overcoming these barriers.
Chinese Mutual Aid Association Award:
Hong Liu, Executive Director of the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois, is in the middle, holding the Community Impact Award presented by the Chinese Mutual Aid Association. On her left is Chicago mayor Richard Daley. On her right is Dennis Lam, Executive Director of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association.
Chinese Mutual Aid Association Award:
Hong Liu, Executive Director of the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois, is in the middle, holding the Community Impact Award. On her right is Freedom Nguyen, Project Coordinator for the Chi-Town Coalition of Color Against Cigarettes (C4). On their left is Board President of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Ymen Yan. While presenting the Award, Ms. Yan specially thanked Freedom and the C4 Project for doing an excellent job promoting tobacco control in the Uptown Asian community and for their efforts to improve Asian immigrant health.Chinese Mutual Aid Association Bake Sale:
Freedom Nguyen (second from left), Project Coordinator for the Chi-Town Coalition of Color Against Cigarettes (C4), is with the members of the C4 Project managing a bake sale at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association’s New Year Party. The funds raised from the bake sale have been earmarked for low income families.
C4 youth gearing up for community leadership training at Chinese Mutual Aid Association. Quarterly trainings include workshops on immigrant rights, community organizing, advocacy, and tobacco control prevention and education.
Youth from left to right: (Front row) Tuyet Ngo (leaning), Lea Doan, Josephine Ho, Paul Troung, Jacqueline Ho, Han Doan, Jessica Pan, (Back row) Jackie Du, Dexter Mamucod, Tiffany Tran, Tuyen Tran.
In building stronger relationships within the Argyle community, C4 youth provided ethnic restaurants and community based organizations with free window cleaning services. While cleaning windows, the youth interviewed each of the restaurant owners to gain a better perspective of non-smoking policies and enforcement in small businesses. The interviews also provided insight into other community concerns such as poverty, homelessness, and community safety, highlighted by the restaurant owners.
From left to right: Josephine Ho, Jennifer Lin, Tuyet Ngo
