New York AAPI communities receive historic $30 million state fund
By Carl Samson
The state of New York is funding Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations with a record $30 million to support critical services, including efforts to combat anti-Asian hate crimes.
Background: First announced in May, the fund, which is part of the state fiscal year 2023-24 budget, increases the previous year’s funding by $10 million. It aims to provide critical services to AAPI communities, including crisis intervention and community-based programs to stop anti-Asian attacks.
Why this matters: New York has the largest AAPI community in the country. Currently, they make up 11% — roughly 2.1 million — of the state’s population. Unfortunately, attacks against the community have persisted, particularly in New York City. On Monday, a man was sentenced for attacking seven Asian women in just two hours in Manhattan last February.
What officials are saying: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Grace Lee and Zohran K. Mamdani announced the historic fund. Lee, who has led efforts against anti-Asian hate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, described the funding as an “important step” in protecting vulnerable communities.
The latest: The fund is being rolled out. In Western New York, Assembly members Jon Rivera and Bill Conrad announced Wednesday that $75,000 will be given to AAPI organizations, including the Burmese community services, Buffalo String Works and the Karen Society of Buffalo.
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