Increase federal funding to support SEAA students’ success

SEAAs’ refugee history, their invisibility in education data and policy, and systemic racism create barriers to our students’ educational success. Our government must address the disparities that SEAA students experience and invest in their futures.

Key resources:

SEARAC Executive Director Quyen Dinh speaks at an AAPI rally led by NAKASEC to defend DACA.

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“My commitment to educational advocacy is shaped by my personal experience as a low-income, immigrant Southeast Asian student in the U.S public school system and my professional experiences as a teacher and youth facilitator. As a high school student, I experienced firsthand a lack of a culturally inclusive education and witnessed an unequal distribution of resources between my high school and the wealthier, predominantly white high school just across the bridge. Yet, I did not have the language to name what I was experiencing.”

SEARAC LAT 2019 participant

We need to be actively thinking about creative spaces and after-school programs that encourage participation from refugee parents in preparing their children for college. More importantly, we need to address language access. Without the ability to read documents or understand robocalls, parents are further barred from being informed on their child’s educational attainment and success.”

Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell
People pose, some jumping in the area, around a sign saying Made By Refugees

People Power in Action

Six people wear traditional attire adorned with flowers

Include Southeast Asian American ethnic studies in school curricula

Learning about the histories, culture, and experiences of our diverse communities, including SEAAs, benefits all students

Post-its and handwritten messages on a posterboard labeled with the year 1975

Increase federal funding for Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions

These colleges and universities are essential for increasing higher education access and success to low-income, first generation Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, including SEAAs.

This month, SEARAC proudly joined our California partners including @aypalpower, @cerieastbay, @firmunity, @hipcalifornia, and @varoundtable for the #PardonRefugees rally as a part of the Pardon Refugees Coalition, a collective effort to fight for pardons for Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants facing deportation. The day was a reminder of our collective strength and the urgent need to keep families and communities together.

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month and it's not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones by staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination. Adults 50+ face a higher risk from the virus, and getting vaccinated is a simple way to stay protected. Discover more with @cveepsocial: cveep.org/stayupdated

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Southeast Asian American Journeys (@seaajourneys_doc), a docuseries produced alongside @caamedia, honors the journey of Southeast Asian American communities across the United States. Premiering at CAAMFest earlier this year, this series is an act of remembrance, reclamation, and resistance. The behind the scenes conversation with our filmmakers is now live for all to enjoy!

In conversation with fellow filmmaker Van Tran Nguyen, director of THE MOTHERLOAD, Joua Lee Grande (Director, TEB CHAW), @oanhnhi.nguyen (Director, THE MARKET), and @smellydurianface (Director, THREADS) reflect on the years-long journey of building trust within refugee immigrant communities and the care it takes to authentically tell their stories of resettlement. Tune in to the conversation at the link in our bio!

Photo credit: Treehouse Vista Studio

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