A newsletter of Asian American Economic Development Enterprises, Inc. A non-profit organization helping and others to help themselves Volume 30, No. 1 August 2020

Inside this issue: ENTERPRISE Pg 1: AAEDE 2020 Scholarship Recipients

AAEDE’s 2020 Scholarship Pg 2: 2020 Virtual Online Job Fair

Pg 3: Lincoln Heights Scholarship

Pg 4: COVID-19

Pg 5: Preventive Measures

Pg 6: AAEDE In Response to COIVD

Pg 7: In Summary

By David Taing winners are invited to a all across the San Gabriel were: Camille Rodriguez luncheon where AAEDE Valley apply for our schol- from Montebello High ack in 2010, former staff, school officials and arship. Hailing from Mark School (UCLA), Nushrat BAdministrative Assis- superintendents celebrated Keppel, Alhambra, Temple Ezra from Alhambra High tant Kelly Lam started our their accomplishment. City, (UCLA), Cindy Vong annual AAEDE scholarship nlike previous years, School and much more, Mark Keppel High School which consisted of awards Uthe AAEDE scholar- applicants provided strong (Northwestern), Jason valued up to $500 and ship luncheon this year was and powerful essays that Gonzales from San Gabriel $1000 that were given to unable to be held due to made the process of choos- High School (Yale), and high school seniors. These the COVID-19 pandemic of ing winners much harder Zoe Hsu from Temple City awards are given based on 2020. Nonetheless, It was than usual. Captivating per- High School (Yale). We academic achievements truly a pleasure to support sonal stories and reasons wish everyone who applied and financial need based such diligent students in of motivation narrowed the a bright and successful on essays answering their academic careers winners down to only 5. future. promptsA Word that were From given thegoing Administration~ into college. This his year, the AAEDE to them. Upon selection, year, we had students from Tscholarship recipients

MORE INFO~ CONTACT US~ Asian American Economic Development Enterprises 216 W Garvey Avenue, Suite E, Incorporated is a Nonprofit Organization dedicated to Employment, Enterprise, and Excellence. To find Monterey Park, CA 91754 more information find us below. Phone: (626) 572-7021 https://www.facebook.com/Asian-Amer- Email: [email protected] ican-Economic-Development-Entrepris- Website: www.aaede.info es-INC-197477460304544/

https://twitter.com/AAEDE_Inc 2 Virtual Online Job Fair

By Jacky Shum The interns contacted var- ious employers to attend n August 28, 2020, the job fair, recruiting many OAAEDE worked to unique companies and or- provide the community with ganizaitons. In total we had our annual job fair. This year- 22 different employers. The due to COVID-19, we were Employers were as followed: unable to host our job fair in Allied Univeral, Asian Pacific person and we were forced Health Care Venture, Inc, CA to adapt to learning a brand Dept of Tax and Fee Admin- new interface in order to istration, Community Devel- connect the community on- opment Commission, San line. Gabriel Police Department, s of summer 2020, WellsFargo, Caltech, De- Aour website and do- partment of Rehabilitation, main was officially launched Kelly Services, Athens Ser- as aaede.info and updated vice, Culinary Staffing Ser- to reflect our mission and vice, Los Angeles Job Corps, goals as a nonprofit based The Celebrity Boss, Personal organization. From now and Assistance Service Council, towards the future, we will Army, Toshi- be fully utilizing our website ba, Sterling General Security as our main source of com- Services Inc., and YMCA. munity outreach, organiza- hrough this year’s vir- tional updates, and the plat- Ttual online job fair, we form for future events. hope that many of the at- n cooperation with LA- tendees and employers were IJOBSNOW, DTS, DL able to take this chance and Solutions, PACE, EDD and form new connections to America’s Job Center of gain access to new career , Asian American opportunities. Economic Development En- terprises was able to host an online virtual job fair this MAKING CALLS: AAEDE Intern Jacky Shum make calls to year through our website. potential vendors about the online virtual job fair.

A Word From the Interns:

My name is Surya communication, of COVID - 19, I Ram and I am from analytical, and team hope to make an the Montebello building skills. Having even greater impact area in Los Angeles. heard about the on the community I am an incoming goals and past deeds by donating and junior majoring in of this organization, reaching out to Software Engineering I hope to have a anyone in need. I am at San Jose State positive impact on truly honored to have University. This is my the community just the opportunity to first year interning at like everyone else intern here and look Surya Ram AAEDE, and I look here. Given the forward to helping forward to gaining current situation out the community. Lincoln Heights Scholarship and Mentorship 3

By Jason Nguyen

sian American Economic Develop- ment Enterprise remains dedicated towardsA the development of young bril- liant minds. This year our organization has donated $5000 for the 2019-2020 year towards nurturing high school stu- dents at Lincoln Heights High School through the Lincoln High Mentoring Pro- gram. he mentoring program at Lincoln heights is called the Lincoln Hieghts EducationT Project and supports students towards academic achievement. While also giving students financial support, the program’s main goal is to provide preparation for college, offer career guidance, and facilitate personal growth. Along with these values, the program also exposes the kids to new experienc- es such as taking them on campus tours or museums. Occasionally the program also allows students to have the chance to demonstrate leadership skills through meetings and participation in events. In addition, students meriting achievement are also able to share their experiences with the program and are able to display their success in a monthly newsletter. sian American Economic Develop- ment Enterprises looks forward to workingA with the Lincoln Heights Ed- ucation Program in the future and will continue to help students work hard to achieve their dreams.

CONTACT: To learn more about the Lincoln Heights Educa- tion Project, contact them at any source above!

A Word From the Interns:

My name is Jason year, ranging from and boss demonstrate Nguyen, and I’m an improved communication towards our community incoming sophomore skills and better is truly inspiring, and I majoring in applied teamwork, to learning look forward to working mathematics at the how to compose business with this great group emails and making calls of people once again Los Angeles. This will be with other businesses this summer– especially my second year as an that we would like to during these truly intern for AAEDE, and I work with. The non-profit trying times where the feel that I have gained a aspect of AAEDE and the community needs all the plethora of knowledge sheer generosity and care help it can get. Jason Nguyen and skills from my first that my fellow coworkers p 4 COVID-19:

By Jacky Shum & Surya Ram or Chills, Coughs, Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, head- OVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, CChina in 2019 and was officially identified congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomitting, on Feb. 11, by the World Health Organization. diarrhea. Symptoms may also lie dormant for While there have been different up to two weeks before showing signs of types of Coronavirus cases in the “The virus is COVID-19. Even more so, the virus may past, COVID-19 is considered an able to survive be spread during the virus’ asymptomatic entirely new breed of coronavi- incubation phase. As the world struggles rus called SARS-CoV-2. While the in aerosols for to develop a vaccine to battle the pan- exact source of the virus is un- hours and on demic, there are many preventive mea- known, the origins of the virus are surfaces...” sure people may take to stall the spread suggested to have emerged from of the virus. animal resevoirs. The virus is able to survive in aerosols for hours and on surfaces Sources: CDC.gov ; https://doi org/10.1002/ such as stainless steel, plastic, and cardboard psb.1843 for days. Symptoms of the virus include: Fevers

The USA has about 5.8 million cases as of late August and is quickly nearing 6 million. The number of deaths in the USA are 179 thousand cases. The spread of this disease has not seemed to stop and is only a matter of time till more fa- talities occur. LA County itself has a total of 235 thousand cases which rounds out 34% of California’s cases. The next closest county is Riverside which only has 7.4% of the state’s cases which is a monumental difference when com- pared with LA County. The total number of deaths rounds out to around 5660.

Sources: CDC.gov ; https://doi org/10.1002/psb.1843

Schools have had the most impact due to the virus. Students have been forced to adjust to online learning which is a huge step to become accustomed to. Out of 50 states, 40 of them have ordered schools to shut down for the entire year. Schools in LA County have shifted towards online learning completely which ensures the safety of students and faculty. Some universities such as the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill opened for the fall semester but have been quickly shut down as 130 cases of COVID-19 were reported within the first week. Universities around the US have primarily online classes with the exception of some labs happening in person while adhering to the social

Breakdown of Breakdown COVID-19: distancing guidelines

Sources: CDC.gov ; https://doi org/10.1002/psb.1843

A Word From the Interns:

My name is Kyle He, to learn skills such as online office work and and I am going to be office administration communications with a second-year applied and customer services companies with email mathematics major at and improve my and use these essential UCSB. This summer communication skills experiences to advance is the first time I’m among the team in the technological interning at AAEDE, the office. Although future. I am appreciative and I am very nervous COVID-19 has to be in the AAEDE but also passionate drastically diminished internship since the about experiencing the physical work that skills and knowledge I the untouched field of the internship has, I will have are valuable to Kyle He office works. I’m hoping can learn more about my life. Preventive Measures: 5

By Corey Pong & Kyle He

reventing the novelty COVID-19 virus is Psimilar to preventing other diseases such as the common cold. While the virus does have a low overall fatality rate of 3.1% in the United States, we must remember that that percent- age differs between different age groups. For example, the fatality rate among those in the age group of 75-84 years old is 220 times the rate of the 18-29 year old group. The virus is, however, extremely infectious, and can lead to many more deaths if not handled properly. Therefore, it is imperative that we do what we prior to preparing or eating food and especially af- can to help prevent the spread of the disease. ter being in a public place. Do not touch your face o prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is import- with unwashed hands. Second, avoid close contact ant to know how the virus spreads. The Cen- T and maintain about six-feet apart from others. This ters for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) states is important for those who are at a much higher risk that the virus is mainly spread from person-to-person of contracting illnesses. On top of that, cover your who are in close contact with each other. Respiration coughs and sneezes especially in public. Third, when droplets are produced when a person coughs, sneez- around frequently used objects or surfaces, make es, or talks. These droplets can land on the mouths sure to thoroughly disinfect them daily or before use. and noses of those who are around or be inhaled into Lastly, the CDC recommends that you moinitor your their lungs. health daily and to be aware and alert of the symp- ecause infected respiratory droplets can spread toms of COVID-19 as described from before. so easily, the CDC recommends covering one’s B verall, while these common practices may mouth and nose with a mask when around other peo- seem out of the ordinary for some, it can also ple. This protects not only yourself but also others O be the difference between life and death when deal- in the case of an infection. In addition to wearing ing with such a pandemic. face masks, the CDC suggests following a few ex- tra precautions in order to greatly reduce the risk of Sources: CDC.gov; coronavirus.jhu.edu/ contracting and spreading the virus to others. First off, wash your hands for at least twenty seconds

The spread of COVID-19 and layoffs has impacted numerous aspects of our life. Employees have been fired, businesses have closed down, and some people have lost their families. In the past month, there have been countless COVID-19 case clusters primarily in the eastern and southeastern part of the USA. 2 major outbreaks came in LA county at Television City and USC. Due to this, they have had to shut down and move operations fully online. A Word From the Interns:

Hello, my name is learnt so much from especially during these Johnny Ching and I the internship and my tumultuous times. I’m am from the Lincoln amazing co-workers. As forever grateful for Heights area in Los an aspiring aerospace having the opportunity Angeles! I am starting engineer who wants to work with AAEDE my sophomore year to change the world, and such awesome at the University of being in this non-profit people to give a helping California, Los Angeles organization led me to hand to our local in applied mathematics. understand that giving community in Monterey This is my second year back to the community Park and beyond. Johnny Ching interning at AAEDE, is one of the first steps and I have already to making a difference; a 6 AAEDE In Response to COVID-19

By Jason Nguyen and Surya Ram n response to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in Ithe summer of 2020, Asian American Economic De- velopment enterprises remains dedicated to the commu- nity and believes that the need to help others is more important than ever before. Normally, our focus as a nonprofit organization is to bring the community closer together through seminars, volunteer work, and career fairs over the summer. However, this year we decided to tailor most of our efforts towards helping the members of our community rebound from the pandemic crisis as quickly as possible. ith a returning team of dedicated and hardwork- Wing interns this summer, AAEDE’s working condi- tions were forced to adapt to the pandemic. Interns were required to follow a strict rotational schedule for days they could come into the office to follow CDC guidelines. First thing in the morning when they would come in is get their temperature tested for symptoms of the virus and were always required to wear a mask inside and outside MAKING AN IMPACT: AAEDE Intern Surya Ram finishes the office. Interns also had to adapt to working remotely delivering his donations to Optimist Youth Homes Center. and online video meetings were required to ensure team- work. towards the aforementioned school districts as well as two AEDE’s main goal this summer was to organize low-income schools in the East Los Angeles area where ACOVID-19 donations for other organizations in our low-income families were highly prevalent (Albion Elemen- community that we thought would benefit greatly from re- tary School and Abraham Lincoln Senior High School). ceiving PPE supplies. organizations in our community that hese supplies included 42.000 standard dispos- we thought would benefit greatly from receiving PPE sup- Table facemasks, 11,300 kid-sized disposable masks, plies. These organizations included heavily impacted areas 11,200 alcoholic wipes, 2,600 face shields, and 1,800 bot- such as senior citizen centers, medical centers, and food tles of hand sanitizers. From then on, we contacted various banks. We also targeted the schools and school districts organizations in order to set up drop off dates for the sup- who demonstrated high need for such supplies, including plies. Our interns, clad in protective equipment, were also the Alhambra Unified and Rosemead Unified school- dis responsible for delivering such resources to the rendez- tricts in order to help support the precious students and vous points. Overall, the donations were a huge success staff who would be attending in the upcoming fall season. and hopefully was able to positively impact the community AAEDE put forth a budget of 30k in order to procure a sig- in these times of need. On the next page, are some of our nificant amount of donatable supplies. We decided to shift donation adventures. the majority of our efforts towards the schools as they had AEDE is also currently working with the Office of one of the highest risks of spreading the virus, and we at AHilda Solis, and supervisor of LA county to sponsor AAEDE highly value the safety and prosperity of all in the COVID-19 Testing from hotspots in the San Gabriel Valley. education system. Over half of the budget was dedicated

A Word From the Interns:

My name is Jacky it has allowed me to as if I have so much Shum and I am meet and work with more to learn from currently a third year wonderful new people this job and every communications as well as giving day is a brand new major at the California me the opportunity learning experience. Polytechnic State to develop my this organization University of San Luis communication has inspired me that Obispo.This is my and graphic design anyone can give back third year interning skills. Even though to the community and at AAEDE and I am I already have two make a difference in Jacky Shum extremely grateful years under my belt the world. for this internship as as an intern, I still feel PPE Distribution Summary 7

-13.9k towards food banks, senior citizen centers, homeless shelters, and medical centers, non-profits -4 food banks: Heart of Compassion, Orange County Food Bank, Valley Food Bank, Interfaith Food Center -2 medical centers: Kei Ai, Alhambra Medical University -2 misc.: Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, First Baptist Church of Alham- bra -2 senior centers: Atherton Baptist Home, Senior Center Transportation 1 non-profit: The Midnight Mission -15.7k towards schools and school districts -2 low-income schools and 2 school districts (Alhambra Unified, Rosemead Unified, Abraham Lincoln Senior HS, and Albion Elementary) -Albion Elementary has close to 97% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (Source: EdData - School Profile - Albion Elementary ) -Abraham Lincoln HS has close to 96% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (Source: EdData - School Profile - Abraham Lincoln Senior High) -Alhambra Unified has close to 63% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (Source: EdData - District Profile - Alhambra Unified) -Rosemead Unified has close to 81% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (Source: District Profile - Rosemead Elementary )

Special Thanks to Prima Travel, Inc. for donating 2000 disposable masks to the community!

A Word From the Interns:

My name is Corey there is much more especially during the Pong, and I am an for me to learn ongoing situation, upcoming second this time around. has shown me the year, majoring in This internship importance of giving applied mathematics, has allowed me to back and what a at the University not only meet and difference that can of California Los work with different make for everyone. Angeles. This is my people from around I look forward to second year interning the community but working with this for AAEDE, and it has also allowed organization along although I did gain me to learn more with my fellow interns plenty of skills and about the community to continue helping Corey Pong experience from itself. Being able to the community. last year, I feel that help the community,

My name is David work with and the society needs still Taing and I will be a new tactics to increase exists during such third year political efficiency around the problematic times. science student at the office. The internship Collaborating and University of California has taught me the even sharing laughs Riverside. This is my value of community with my coworkers second year interning and unity from the have been the one of for AAEDE and events this year. the many highlights even though I have Donating to various of my summer during been accustomed locations during the this internship and to the culture and co-vid 19 crisis has I only hope to have workspace, I am still made me realize the more in the future. learning new things importance of love David Taing about the people I and passion that Asian American Economic U.S. POSTAGE Development Enterprises, Inc. NON-PROFIT 216 West Garvey Ave., Unit #E PAID Monterey Park, CA 91754-1688 PERMIT NO. 2 MONTEREY PARK, CA

A newsletter from Asian American Economic Development Enterprises, Inc. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Norman Lee

Program Administrator Administrative Assistants Ann Tsuchiya Grace Gao

Newsletter Editor Writers Jacky Shum Jacky Shum, David Taing, Surya Ram, Jason Nguyen, Johnny Ching, Corey Pong, Kyle He

sian American Economic Development Enter- Aprises, Inc. began in 1977 by helping Chinese immigrants acclimate to their new environment and to obtain financial security. It has since grown into a full service 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to economic self-help for Asian Americans and others. Its activities include workshops and seminars, business assistance for beginning and fledgling enterprises, ac- cess to funding for growing ventures, information sup- port for the business community, advocacy for small and minority firms and individualized career consulta- tion. For more than 40 years, AAEDE has provided training and employment services to thousands of Asian Americans throughout while collaborating with government, not-for-profit organizations, and major corporations in providing programs. David Bow Woo In 2019, AAEDE drew more than 1,000 attendees in Founder of AAEDE workshops and seminars which covered topics from Enterprise and Excellence. Woo says, “AAEDE exists to financial management and business growth to addressing help people find employment, to assist them in getting legal issues associated with small business and other the expanded education they may need to ensure their career ideas. AAEDE now also offers language-specific promotion and competence, and to assist them on the workshops in addition to its usual workshops in English. road to building a successful enterprise which will then, David Woo, founder of AAEDE describes the goals in turn, employ more Asian Americans.” of AAEDE as the “Four E’s”:Employment, Education,