Project Connect

APICHA is excited to present Project Connect, a program for Asian and Pacific Islanders (A&PI) who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI).

LGBTQI A&PI individuals experience barriers accessing services and are often underserved due to a spectrum of reasons including culture, linguistic isolation, and the lack of supportive networks. Initiatives under Project Connect were created to improve general health and well-being, and increase access to culturally competent human and health services for LGBTQI A&PIs. Our programs include A Healthier Me! Skills-building Workshop Series, GAYME (GLBTQI A&PI Youth Mentorship for Empowerment), and cultural competency trainings for health and human service providers.

UPCOMING A Healthier Me! Workshops (click links for more information)

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013		So You Think You CAN’T Dance?
Friday, April 5th, 2013		Coming Out Stories

A Healthier Me! Skills Workshop Series

Our skills-building workshop series, A Healthier Me!, invites expert speakers from the larger communities to lead workshops and lectures. Many of our speakers work specifically with LGBTQI and/or A&PI individuals in their profession and many identify as LGBTQI A&PI. All speakers are deeply committed to serving the LGBTQI A&PI community and have tailored their workshops to address issues relevant to the LGBTQI A&PI population. Project Connect’s first A Healthier Me! workshop by Alan Lee, a certified food, nutrition, and fitness expert of 12 years, taught participants the importance of eating appropriately, supplements, and exercise.

GAYME Youth Mentorship

Project Connect’s youth initiative, GAYME (GLBTQI A&PI Youth Mentorship for Empowerment), connects LGBTQI A&PI youth with other youth and adults to share their experiences. GAYME departs from the traditional one-on-one mentorship style, utilizing an informal, topic-based group workshop method preferred by LGBTQI A&PI youth. These groups allow youth and mentors to draw upon an array of different experiences to cultivate understanding and build a supportive community. Session topics are concerns identified by LGBTQI A&PI youth and include: self-image, acceptance of multiple identities, coming out, body image, budgeting, getting into college, affording college, career paths, and finding jobs/job security.

Are you GLTBQI, Asian/Pacific Islander and 24 years old or younger? Join our GAYME mentoring program as a MENTEE! Applications for the Jan-May 2013 mentoring cycle are always welcome; there is no due date.

Mentee Application

Are you GLTBQI, Asian/Pacific Islander and at least 25 years old? Join our GAYME mentoring program as a MENTOR! Applications for the Jan-May 2013 mentoring cycle are always welcome; there is no due date.

Mentor Application

Please email vlee@apicha.org or call 646-744-0990 for inquiries or interest.

Training for Service Providers

In improving the accessibility and quality of services for LGBTQI A&PI, Project Connect engages with local service providers to encourage awareness of LGBTQI A&PI concerns. Trainings for organizational staff to develop cultural competence and LGBTQI-sensitivity are offered to create systemic change. Project Connect also provides trainings and lectures in academic settings, such as school Gay-Straight Alliances and class settings.

Contact Us

Have a question, a concern, or want to know more?
Call us: (646) 744-0990
Email us: vlee@apicha.org
Friend us on Facebook!
Follow Project Connect on twitter @ProjConnect

The People behind Project Connect:

Project Connect Coordinator: Vincent Lee

A recent graduate of UC Berkeley, Vincent moved from his native California to New York to work for APICHA’s Project Connect. Vincent believes strongly that as LGBT A&PIs we can raise ourselves and each other above the discrimination we face, enjoying health wholly and pursuing happiness fully. Before joining Project Connect, Vincent worked on an underage prostitution research project in San Francisco and was the executive coordinator for a 550-student seminar course on medical and public health ethics for UC Berkeley’s Department of Public Health. When he manages to leave the APICHA office, Vincent spends his time plucking away on his ukulele, exercising to heavy-bass dance music, and marathonning nature documentaries.