ACRS eNews – March 2026

ACRS recently hosted the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum’s national board meeting in Seattle and announced our new Thrive360 partnership at both organizations’ board meetings. This new partnership strengthens the connection between trusted community-based care and national policy and advocacy, creating a two-way pipeline between ACRS’s deep community relationships and culturally responsive services, and APIAHF’s national reach and federal policy expertise. Together, we’re helping elevate community voice, inform policy, and advance more equitable health outcomes for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Pictured are ACRS Civic Engagement and Policy Director Shomya Tripathy, APIAHF President and CEO Juliet Choi, and ACRS CEO Kendee Yamaguchi. 

As the 2026 Legislative Session wraps up, APIC is inviting community members to an online Legislative Session Debrief on April 1 at 3 p.m. to hear how this year’s priority bills and solidarity items affecting A&NH/PI and other vulnerable communities fared in Olympia. It’s a chance to reflect on important wins, difficult losses, and what we can learn together as the work continues. Register here.

The debrief follows a strong season of advocacy, including participation from ACRS middle and high school students who met with legislators and shared their perspectives. Watch a short video featuring some of their voices from the day. 

In a first-time collaboration of its kind, ACRS partnered with Chinese Radio Seattle for a Mandarin-language webinar and podcast focused on youth substance use prevention in Chinese American communities. Aimme Zhang, Assistant Program Supervisor with Recovery Services, and Bonnie Wang, Director of Children’s Mental Health, shared practical, culturally responsive information entirely in Mandarin, including the connection between substance use and mental health, warning signs families should watch for, ways to reduce stigma through open communication, and available treatment and recovery resources. The conversation also included overdose response education and reflected ACRS’s commitment to making prevention and behavioral health information more accessible to multilingual communities. Listen in.

The Legal Foundation of Washington created a thoughtful tribute video honoring former ACRS Board President Kim Tran, who was recognized with the 2026 Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award. Kim, who passed away last year, served as Board President from 2008 to 2010, was at the forefront of the capitol campaign for the current ACRS building, volunteered with ACRS’s legal clinic and citizenship program, and was deeply respected and loved by our community. Shown at the Goldmark Luncheon in late February, the video also featured interviews with current ACRS board members Anita Rodgers and Juliana Wong. Watch the tribute video.

ACRS is proud to celebrate Hazel Boado, Director of Aging and Adult Services, for being recognized in America’s Best in Medicine. Over the past two years, Hazel has helped strengthen services for older adults through thoughtful leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to culturally responsive care. With a strong background in healthcare leadership and organizational transformation, she brings a clear commitment to equity, language access, and high-quality community care. Hazel holds a Master of Liberal Arts in Management from Harvard University, and we’re grateful for the expertise, energy, and care she brings to ACRS.

Starting in April, the ACRS Legal Clinic will expand to twice-monthly appointments on the second and fourth Wednesdays, helping more community members access free legal support close to home. Offered in partnership with the King County Bar Association and the Asian Bar Association of Washington, the clinic provides free, limited legal advice and referrals for civil legal issues in a welcoming, community-based setting. While the clinic does not handle immigration cases directly, interpretation is available at no cost to help reduce language barriers and improve access. The next clinic is April 8, 5:00–7:00 p.m. at ACRS’s main office. Appointments are required by calling 206-695-7639.

On March 21, ACRS partnered with the Asian Bar Association of Washington (ABAW) to host a Pro Bono Legal Clinic Day at ACRS. The strong response highlighted the need for accessible, culturally responsive legal support. Thanks to volunteer attorneys, law students, interpreters, and other volunteers who gave their time and expertise, community members received free legal support in a welcoming, trusted setting.

Come cheer on the Seattle Torrent, Seattle’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team, alongside ACRS during their AANHPI Heritage Game on Saturday, April 18. ACRS will be featured as one of the Torrent’s community partners and highlighted during the game. Discounted tickets can be purchased directly through the community ticket link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Asiancounseling5. Tickets may be limited, so purchasing early is encouraged for the best seat selection.