ACL (Asians for Collective Liberation)
Asians for Collective Liberation (ACL Spokane)
Website: https://aclspokane.org
Founded: Originally as APIC Spokane in 1996; rebranded to ACL Spokane in 2022
Type: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Location: 25 W. Main Ave. #404, Spokane, WA 99201
Tax ID: 87-2478304
Contact: adickinson@aclspokane.org | (509) 990-8530
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn
Mission
ACL Spokane centers the power of Asians and Asian Americans to build a just, healthy, and thriving community for all.
Vision
A world of collective liberation where Asians and Asian Americans can live in a community of wellbeing, safety, and belonging.
Core Values
- Joy & Celebration
- Belonging
- Honoring Complexity
- Accountability
History
ACL Spokane began as APIC Spokane, part of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition formed in 1996 to support marginalized communities after the Welfare Reform Act. Initially volunteer-led and sponsored by Asian Counseling and Referral Services in Seattle, activities included participating in APIC WA Lobby Days and Asian American Heritage Month.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization provided services such as vaccine clinics and education, while addressing the rise in anti-Asian hate. In 2021, it became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and rebranded to Asians for Collective Liberation in 2022 to better represent diverse communities.
Programs
Health & Wellness
Focuses on fostering healing, resilience, and community care through culturally responsive workshops, peer support spaces, advocacy, and storytelling. Programs include:
- Boba Buddies & Boba Breaks: Events aimed at fostering protective factors and mental health fortitude in Asian and Asian American youth and young adults.
- Forge Panel: Events where therapists speak to dismantle stigma around mental health.
- Workshops: Led by mental health experts to teach techniques and tools for improving mental well-being.
Arts & Culture
Celebrates cultural pride and offers spaces for intergenerational dialogue, helping individuals explore and deepen their understanding of their roots while connecting with the broader community. Programs include:
- Asian American Heritage Month: Annual events to celebrate, educate, and connect over the rich and diverse cultures of Asians and Asian Americans.
- Chai Culture Club: A club committed to creating spaces of belonging where members can celebrate community stories and critically discuss their impact.
Environmental Justice
Aims to empower Asian American communities in Spokane by addressing environmental inequities through education, advocacy, and creative collaboration. Initiatives include workshops to increase access to public transportation and solar energy, teach about zero waste practices, improve bike infrastructure, and more.
Civic Engagement
Advocates for the rights and equity of Asians and Asian Americans, including immigrants, refugees, and citizens in Washington state. Policy work aims to connect the community’s values to a broader political system that truly represents and serves them.
Events
ACL Spokane hosts various events throughout the year, including:
- Spokane Asian Graduation Celebration: An annual event to honor and celebrate Asian/Asian American graduating students from Spokane County colleges, universities, and high schools.
- An Evening with Viet Thanh Nguyen: A keynote event featuring the Pulitzer Prize-winning author as part of Asian American Heritage Month celebrations.
- Opening Reception: Our Stories – Asian American Families in Spokane: An event to celebrate the Asian American stories that shape Spokane’s history and community.
- Climate Chats Café: Sip, Share, & Connect: A supportive space to discuss climate change and environmental justice.
- Ten Thousand Things: Artifacts of Asian American Life: A Humanities WA Speakers Bureau event with poet Shin Yu Pai.
Get Involved
Volunteering: Opportunities available in advocacy, mental health, environmental justice, and community events.
Donations: As a nonprofit, ACL Spokane thrives on community support—every contribution helps create meaningful change.
Advocacy: Represent ACL Spokane at the Department of Health’s Environmental Justice Council Meetings or use the ACL Advocacy Kit to share the organization's work with others.
Resources
- Mental Health Therapist Directory: A directory of mental health professionals serving the Asian and Asian American community.
- Environmental Justice Resources: Includes tools like the Environmental Disparities Map and information from the Washington State Department of Health.
Language Accessibility
ACL Spokane's website and resources are available in multiple languages, including:
- English
- Vietnamese
- Korean
- Tagalog
- Arabic
- Dari
- Farsi
- Pashto
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Punjabi
- Khmer
- Japanese
- Thai
- Hmong
Affiliations
ACL Spokane is affiliated with Asians for Collective Action (ACA), a 501(c)(4) organization focused on advancing advocacy efforts.
