Two mass shootings in California in less than 48 hours during the Lunar New Year weekend – the first in Monterey Park, the second in Half Moon Bay – claimed the lives of Asian and Latinx community members, the majority of whom were elderly and/or low-wage workers. ACRS Policy and Civic Engagement Directory Shomya Tripathy shared a statement in response to the tragedies.
As our communities come together to show solidarity and collectice care, Asian Americans Advancing Justice shared resources on how to get involved, access help, and support the victims, their families and community members impacted.
Assist the Victims and their Families
- HALF MOON BAY VICTIMS FUND to provide funds for families who have been impacted by the shootings in Half Moon Bay, California. All donations will go towards victims and family members who were directly impacted. This fund is organized by Chinese for Affirmative Action, Stop AAPI Hate, The Asian American Foundation, Advancing Justice-ALC and LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics). Learn more about local organizations in Half Moon Bay including Ayundando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), Coastside Hope, El Centro de Libertad (The Freedom Center), and Puente.
- MONTEREY PARK LUNAR NEW YEAR VICTIMS FUND to provide financial support to family members of victims and those who have experienced loss. The fund was created by a coalition of organizations including Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Pacific Community Fund, The Asian American Foundation, Stand with Asian Americans, Gold House, AAPI Equity Alliance, Chinatown Service Center, Asian Youth Center and Project by Project.
- Spread the Love: Please feel free to use these materials to share with your networks. You can find sample tweets and IG posts from us, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and Stop AAPI Hate.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones
California-specific Resources
- AAPI Equity Alliance, an organization working to support and empower Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles County and beyond, has created a resource list in English, Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Hindi and Tagalog for Monterey Park Victims and Community Members. View Resource List Here >>
- Resources for San Mateo County Victims of Traumatic Violence by Stop AAPI Hate and Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA)
To find organizations offering services and programs for the Asian American community in your area
- The Asian Resource Hub includes a community national resource directory to support Asian communities through which you can find social services support, legal assistance, mental health support and identify opportunities to get involved in civic engagement and policy advocacy. The information is searchable by type of service, location, and language.
If you are interested in having your organization added to the community resource directory, please complete this interest form.
The Asian Resource Hub is a project of Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Southern California and Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC.
Mental Health Resources
- Mental Health Resources for Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay Shooting Victims & Community Members by National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA).
How do you seek healing? Do you need a space to process and grieve?
- Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC) offers mental health services and connects individuals to mental health providers. If you have been impacted from the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings and need emotional support, please contact therapy@asianmhc.org. If you are a mental health counselor and would like to offer your support, please contact therapy@asianmhc.org.
- Processing grief? According to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Jeanie Y. Chang, remember to give yourself grace, prioritize finding coping mechanisms that work for you, remember to rest and find a sense of belonging. View this resource for more information.
- Browse and connect with an Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) mental health care provider using AMHC’s therapist directory here.
- Visit Asians for Mental Health to browse and find an Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) mental health care provider near you or join the directory if you are a mental health care provider.
Mental Health Resources for Seniors
- How to help Asian American seniors affected by the mass shootings (LA Times, 2023)
- How To Talk To Asian Elders About Getting Mental Health Help (LAist, 2023)
- VIDEO: How we can talk to our Asian Elders about Mental Health (Asians for Mental Health, 2023)
Resources for Children
More related articles on the California shootings and the Tyre Nichols police shooting:
Asian Americans grapple with mental health after Monterey Park mass shooting (Pasadena Star News)
You may feel secondary trauma from mass shooting coverage. Therapists discuss ways to cope
(LA Times)
Tyre Nichols beating opens a complex conversation on race and policing (NY Times via The Seattle Times)
When the officers are Black: Tyre Nichols’ death raises tough questions about race in policing (USA Today)
Column: In comparing Tyre Nichols to Rodney King, we’re missing this point about policing (LA Times)
Tyre Nichols case revives calls for change in police culture (AP via The Seattle Times)
Free mental health services are available to all ACRS employees through Canopy – (800) 433-2320 or explore online resources and tools at canopywell.com, username: ACRS.
