At ACRS, healing across generations means helping people of all ages feel heard, connected and empowered. This August, we’re highlighting how our community is putting that into action — from advocacy and civic engagement to youth leadership, creativity, volunteerism and partnership. Together, these efforts are helping build stronger, more connected communities.
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Call to Action: Help Stop the Citizenship Paywall
Comment by August 24
For thousands of our neighbors, a single fee could stand between them and the country they call home.
Citizenship should not depend on someone’s ability to pay. The Department of Homeland Security has proposed eliminating full naturalization fee waivers and the reduced-fee option while increasing application fees to as much as $1,330. For many immigrants and refugees ACRS serves, these changes could put citizenship financially out of reach.
The window to speak up is short: the federal comment period ends August 24.
How much do these protections matter? From January 2025 through July 2026, 76% of ACRS citizenship clients qualified for either a full fee waiver or reduced fee.
ACRS is joining advocates across the country in urging DHS to preserve affordable pathways to citizenship, and you can help.
Add your voice and submit a public comment by August 24 using this link: bit.ly/StopThePaywall. (It takes about two minutes.)
Access to citizenship strengthens families and communities. Together, we can help ensure that cost does not become another barrier to belonging. |
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| Helping Our Community Prepare for Medicaid Changes
Major federal Medicaid changes are coming, and ACRS is working now to help community members understand what they may mean.
These changes are part of H.R. 1, a new federal law that changes who can qualify for Medicaid and what some people will need to do to keep their coverage. Major changes will begin affecting eligibility on October 1, when refugees, asylees and some other lawfully present immigrants will lose coverage. New work requirements for Apple Health for Adults clients will also begin on January 1, 2027. Many of the clients we serve may be affected — and some may not realize their coverage has changed until they try to use it.
ACRS staff are already helping community members update their health coverage information, respond to eligibility notices and navigate the steps needed to maintain Medicaid coverage. We’re also preparing clear, plain-language information and working with the Washington State Health Care Authority as implementation moves forward. That hands-on support can make the difference between someone losing coverage and getting the care they need.
Anticipating harm is itself a form of care. By sharing trusted information early, we can help reduce confusion, protect access to care and support our community through change.
You can help. If you know someone who relies on Apple Health and may be affected by these changes, encourage them to contact ACRS. Our staff can help them understand what they need to do and navigate the process to maintain their coverage. |
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Youth Civic Institute Building the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
Young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they are already helping shape their communities today.
This summer, ACRS launched the third year of our Youth Civic Institute, an eight-week program for Asian & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth ages 16–24 that introduces participants to civic engagement, community organizing and advocacy.
Through weekly workshops, participants are learning how decisions are made, how communities organize for change and how they can use their own experiences and perspectives to make an impact. They have also heard from community advocates and organizations, including Tanggol Migrante and the Washington State Budget and Policy Center.
For Shelby Yin, 22, a recent Soka University of America graduate and Youth Civic Institute participant, the experience is about helping young people recognize the power they already have.
“I want to help instill hope in people and remind them that their voice and their opinion matter,” she said.
By giving young people the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to participate, the Youth Civic Institute is helping nurture the next generation of community leaders and advocates. [ Read the full story]
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| Kapa-making with artist Stewart Wong Connects Youth to Culture and Community
As part of ACRS’s free five-week Youth Summer Program, 20 students from Pathways to Our Future, Lotus Circle and QOLOR came together for a hands-on Hawaiian kapa-making workshop with Seattle artist Stewart Wong.
Wong introduced students to the traditional process of making kapa from the inner bark of wauke, or paper mulberry. Beginning with raw bark, he demonstrated how the fibers are beaten and transformed into cloth before students created their own designs on finished pieces of kapa.
For Wong, a Kanaka Maoli mixed-media and public artist originally from Oʻahu, sharing kapa-making with young people is also a way to preserve cultural knowledge and strengthen connections to the natural world.
“We can teach younger generations about the importance of these traditions and the role they serve in our daily lives,” Wong said.
The workshop gave youth from all three programs a chance to create, learn and build community together while carrying cultural knowledge and traditions forward. [ Read the full story] |
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ACRS Returns to Seahawks Training Camp as a Spirit of 12 Partner
ACRS was proud to be back at Seahawks Training Camp on August 4, kicking off another exciting season as a Spirit of 12 nonprofit partner!
About 15 ACRS staff and volunteers spent the day at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, supporting the Training Camp experience for Seahawks fans while representing ACRS in the community.
This marks the second consecutive year ACRS has been selected as one of the Seattle Seahawks’ 12 Spirit of 12 nonprofit partners, and we’re grateful for the Seahawks’ continued partnership. Through the program, proceeds from yearbook sales and 50/50 raffles benefit participating Washington nonprofits, including ACRS.
Want to join us on game day? ACRS is looking for 75 volunteers for the Dec. 13 Seahawks game against the Giants. Email volunteer@acrs.org to sign up.
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Bringing Voters and Candidates Together for the A&NH/PI Candidate Forum
On July 23, ACRS joined the Chinese Information and Service Center, Interim CDA, Refugee Women’s Alliance and Wing Luke Museum to host the 14th annual Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Primary Election Candidate Forum at the Wing Luke Museum.
This year’s forum focused on the race for King County Council District 2 and featured candidates Toshiko Grace Hasegawa, Miriam Mboya and Rebecca Saldaña. Community members heard directly from the candidates about their priorities and asked questions about issues affecting Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
By creating opportunities for voters to learn, ask questions and engage directly with candidates, ACRS and our partners are helping community members make informed decisions and strengthening civic participation.
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| Celebrating Volunteer of the Month: Juliet Kilborn
We’re proud to recognize Juliet Kilborn as ACRS’s July Volunteer of the Month!
Juliet has been an active and dependable volunteer, generously lending her time to the ACRS Food Bank and Club Bamboo Kitchen. She has also supported volunteers at our community farm and regularly steps up for high-need opportunities across the agency.
Most recently, Juliet joined ACRS at Seattle Seahawks Training Camp, helping support our Spirit of 12 partnership.
Juliet’s willingness to pitch in wherever she is needed reflects the spirit of service and connection at the heart of ACRS.
Thank you, Juliet, for all you do for our community! |
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