Community Rises at ACRS Gala, Stand Together Under the Theme ‘Not On Our Watch’

BELLEVUE, Wash. — October 6, 2025 — More than 350 community members, advocates, and supporters gathered for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Annual Benefit Gala on October 4 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, coming together under the theme “Not on Our Watch.”

The evening was filled with powerful performances, moving stories, and a collective spirit of resilience — culminating in an address by ACRS’s new CEO, Kendee Yamaguchi, who announced the relaunch of ACRS’s Legal Clinic this fall in partnership with the Asian Bar Association of Washington (ABAW) and the King County Bar Association (KCBA).

“Too many of our families are living in fear — fear of deportation, separation, and being targeted for who they are,” said Yamaguchi. “That’s why ACRS is expanding our advocacy and services, including the relaunch of our Legal Clinic, to ensure no one faces those challenges alone. Not on our watch.”

“Bringing this clinic back reminds us — and everyone watching — that no matter what obstacles come our way, we will meet the need.”

In her first major public speech since stepping into the role earlier this year, Yamaguchi’s message captured both courage and continuity, affirming ACRS’s unwavering commitment to equity, justice, and community care. The Legal Clinic’s return marks a renewed investment in providing accessible, culturally responsive support to those most in need.

The gala opened with an electrifying performance by Seattle Kokon Taiko, whose thunderous drumming set an atmosphere of strength and solidarity. Later in the evening, the program concluded with a performance by the internationally renowned Massive Monkees, the award-winning breakdance crew from Seattle’s Beacon Hill, who brought their high-energy celebrating culture and community.

Among the night’s speakers was Shomya Tripathy, ACRS’s Policy and Civic Engagement Director, who spoke about the power of collective advocacy in protecting the rights of immigrant and refugee families.

The evening’s featured guest speaker, Tessa Hulls — artist, writer, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Feeding Ghosts — delivered a deeply moving multimedia presentation about her family’s history and their multigenerational journey through trauma, mental illness, and healing. Her reflections on the power of community and belonging mirrored ACRS’s mission to provide culturally responsive care and connection.

Guests were also invited to view Hulls’s original artwork in the foyer, featuring portraits of ACRS Club Bamboo clients — a tribute to the elders whose stories of resilience continue to inspire the community.

“If something like ACRS had existed for my grandmother, everything could have been different,” Hulls said. “Care requires connection, and connection cannot happen without people who have the lived experience and the language to understand your story.”

The program also paid tribute to two beloved members of the ACRS family. The evening honored ACRS building project director and first legal counsel John Chen Beckwith, who passed away earlier this year, recognizing his vision and decades-long commitment to community. The program also saluted photojournalist, recently retired ACRS employee, and longtime Chinatown–International District advocate, Dean Wong, for his tireless dedication to uplifting the stories and spirit of the community.

The evening was made possible through the generous support of longtime community partners and sponsors. ACRS extends special thanks to Presenting Sponsor TMS, which includes the former company PMI, for its enduring partnership and commitment to ACRS’s mission. We also thank our Premier Sponsors, Amazon and Asians at Amazon, and Microsoft, whose continued support uplifts immigrant and refugee communities across the region.

Additional gratitude goes to our Advocate Sponsors — the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UPS — as well as our Partner Sponsors, including Muckleshoot Casino, Swire Coca-Cola, and Uwajimaya. We are also deeply thankful to our Community Partners — Banyan Legal Counsel, East West Bank, and Keller Rohrback L.L.P. — along with the many donors and volunteers whose collective generosity fuels ACRS’s work year-round.

Together, these sponsors and community members ensure that ACRS can continue providing vital services — from food and mental-health support to citizenship, workforce training, and legal assistance — for tens of thousands of people each year.

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) is a social justice organization that promotes the health and well-being of Asians, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (A&NH/PIs) and other communities by providing and advocating for responsive, community-based services. ACRS offers a broad range of programs, including behavioral health, human services, and civic engagement, delivered in more than 40 languages and dialects. Each year, ACRS serves nearly 30,000 individuals across the Pacific Northwest, empowering immigrant and refugee communities through care, connection, and justice.

For more information or to support our work, visit acrs.org.

Media Contact:
Liza Javier
Senior Development & Communications Manager
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Phone: (206) 695-7600 | lizaj@acrs.org