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| National CAPACD E-Newsletter September 2007 |
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Contents:
1) More than 1,000 attend National CAPACD and CNHA Joint Convention!
2) Apply Now for National CAPACD’s Leadership Development Opportunities
3) Congress Passes Historic Legislation Creating AAPI Serving Institutions of Higher Education
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1) More than 1,000 attend National CAPACD and CNHA Joint Convention!
The
three-day joint convention between the Council for Native Hawaiian
Advancement (CNHA) and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific
American Community Development (CAPACD) was a huge success, drawing
more than 1,000 registered individuals from all across United
States. The Convention, "Communities United – Our Passions,
Our Strengths, Our Future", provided a unique opportunity for community
development advocacy groups, foundations, federal agencies and elected
officials to come together and recognize the needs and assets of our
diverse communities.
During the course of the three days, the convention touched upon
various topics including: small business, affordable housing, voting,
immigration, community development, non-profit organizations, policy
sessions, and Hawaiian Home Lands. The three-day program was
filled with inspirational speakers who moved the audience and inspired
participants.
"We are thrilled with the success of The Annual
Convention in Hawaii this year. Our partnership with CNHA brought
us together with the Native Hawaiian community to share our stories and
find common ground. Undoubtedly, we all walked away committed and
inspired to organize " - Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD.
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2) Apply Now for National CAPACD’s Leadership Development Opportunities!
National CAPACD is currently offering several leadership opportunities – and deadlines are quickly approaching!
2008 Congressional Housing Fellowship
The 2008 Congressional Housing Fellowship will provide
an individual the opportunity to learn about federal housing and
community development policies while gaining experience working in
Congress. The Fellow will provide leadership and expertise on housing
and community development issues to the Congressional Asian Pacific
American Caucus (CAPAC), analyzing housing and community development
legislation and its impact on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and/or
other Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). The Fellow will work with National
CAPACD, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies
(APAICS) and other AAPI housing and community development organizations
to raise awareness among elected officials, policymakers and
advocates. Deadline: October 15, 2007 Apply Here
Community in the Capital
Community in the Capital engages National CAPACD
members to participate in the policymaking process and educate
policymakers and mainstream community development organizations about
issues affecting AAPIs. The 2008 program will take place in
Washington, DC from February 23 -27. Program participants will be
expected to present and share their local housing and community
development policy issues and priorities in interactive sessions with
each other and national policymakers. Activities will include
providing testimony on Capitol Hill, meetings with staff of key federal
agencies, dialogues with national community development intermediaries,
and national advocacy organizations. All participants selected
will receive support for travel to Washington D.C. and accommodations
for the five days of the program. Deadline: November 7, 2007 Apply Here
National CAPACD Internships Available for Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
National CAPACD Internships provide undergraduate or
graduate students the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in
the field of AAPI community development. Interns meet community
and congressional leaders, engage in substantive research and writing,
organize and/or attend local and national events, participate in AAPI
social justice networks and learn about AAPIs in nonprofits and
community development.
National CAPACD is accepting applications for Fall 2007 (until filled) and Spring 2008 (Deadline: November 15, 2007). Apply Here
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3) Congress Passes Historic Legislation Creating AAPI Serving Institutions of Higher Education
On September 7, both houses of Congress passed H.R. 2669, the College
Cost Reduction and Access Act in conference. This landmark
student financial aid bill creates a designation for Asian American and
Pacific Islander Serving Institutions of Higher Education. This
designation complements other existing minority serving institution
designations and will help ensure that AAPI communities are included in
federal government programs and initiatives. National CAPACD has
championed this legislation since 2001 and is looking forward to
working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other
federal agencies to design programs using this new designation.
The Department of Education is authorized to provide $10 million in
grants to institutions of higher education with at least 10% AAPI
undergraduate student enrollment and a majority of low-income
students. Funds may be used to purchase library & educational
materials; curriculum development; academic tutoring, counseling and
student support; including disciplines in which AAPIs are
underrepresented.
Former Congressman Robert Underwood (D-GU) first introduced the first
Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions bill in
2002. Congressman Wu and Senators Barbara Boxer & Daniel
Akaka introduced subsequent versions of the bill in the House and the
Senate with full support from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and
Congressman Michael Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific
American Caucus.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act is expected to be signed into law by President Bush in the near future.
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