Asian Americans for Equality

On Thursday, convened the first meeting of the newly created Advisory Group on Housing Affordability. AAFE Executive Director Thomas Yu is among those appointed to serve. We’re excited for the opportunity to help shape proposals to address New York City’s affordable housing crisis. Thomas has been at the forefront of AAFE’s housing innovations during the past three decades. We’re looking forward to collaborating with so many dedicated housing professionals and advocates to make a difference in communities across NYC! See the link below for the full announcement.

https://council.nyc.gov/press/2026/06/17/3138/

Looking for energy saving tips you can use at home? If you live in Manhattan, join WEACT for an Energy Smart Workshop in West Harlem on June 23th at 6:30pm. All participants will receive a FREE home energy kit with $92 worth of energy efficiency materials.

Registration is FREE and dinner and refreshments will be provided. Spanish translation will also be available. RSVP at bit.ly/energysmartworkshops ⚡

📣 Do you have a voting plan in place?

Polls are open for Early Voting June 13 – 21, and Election Day is next Tuesday, June 23! Your assigned Early Voting poll site may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check yours at nycvotes.org/pollsite.

🎉 Congratulations to ThinkChinatown on the completion of their beautiful community space! We were honored to be a part of Think's communal blessing and knot tying ceremony.

AAFE has owned the space since the 1990s, and our buildings have never been just about affordable housing. They're also about preserving the culture, history, and vitality of our community and neighborhoods. AAFE's Executive Director Thomas Yu gave his blessings for the space: "We run social services for thousands of people next door; there's a small business behind us; and now we have an arts organization like Think here. That is the right formula for Chinatown in the future. We're just stewards for now, but this building is alive."

The current exhibit "Everyday Chinatown: Objects and the Stories They Hold" closes tomorrow evening! Visit ThinkChinatown to learn more about open hours.

皇后區的朋友們，想創業卻不知從何開始？想讓您的事業更上一層樓？

歡迎參加我們的國語講座，了解紐約市新興微型企業培訓計畫，善用免費資源，掌握創業與經營技巧，為事業成長增添動力！無論您是創業新手，還是正在經營自己的事業，都能從中獲得寶貴的資訊與支持！

立即至 www.renaissancesbs.org/training 報名，或點擊個人簡介中的連結！

QUEENS! Looking to start or grow your business?

Join our Mandarin workshop to learn about the NYC Emerging Micro-Business Program, access free resources, and gain practical tools for entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this opportunity to take your business to the next level!

RSVP at www.renaissancesbs.org/training or link in bio.

NYC Department of Small Business Services CCHC - 紐約角聲總部

📸 Snapshots from our Jackson Heights food pantry yesterday!

Our food pantries started from an urgent need during the pandemic, and we continue to operate with that community-centered rapid response. In April, we launched our Jackson Heights food pantry because our neighbors lost access to their SNAP benefits and needed immediate help. We're able to respond that way because of partners like Neighborworks, which provides the critical resources and support to help AAFE meet the moment when the community needs us. We were proud to celebrate NeighborWorks Week (May 23-June 7) along with 250 community development organizations nationwide. Through our longstanding partnership, we’re creating opportunities, strengthening communities and expanding access to safe, affordable housing.

At our pantry this week, we were proud to acknowledge Keith Getter for his 28 years of service at NeighborWorks. Our working relationship with Keith goes back to the 1980s, when we teamed up to advocate for the Chinatown community in the landmark lawsuit, AAFE v. Koch. All of us at AAFE are grateful to Keith for the important role he has played in helping advance a more equitable city. 🌟

Yesterday, our immigration team joined the RISE Rally at City Hall to advocate for funding that directly supports immigrant and AAPI New Yorkers. RISE is a dedicated funding pool for AAPI organizations doing immigration work. Despite the heat, community leaders showed up to make sure City Council hears what's at stake for our communities. 📣

Join AAFE and for a candidate forum tonight in Woodside, Queens! The candidates for Assembly District 30 and Senate District 12 will share their visions for our communities. The forum takes place at 6pm tonight - June 12 - at P.S. 12, 42-00 72nd St. in Woodside. See the link below to register.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apa-voices-ad-30sd-12-candidate-forum-tickets-1989406144331?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

🏀 KNICKS IN 5! 📣

We're looking back at that time during Lunar New Year that our AAFE Youth students were featured on the Jumbotron at the Knicks game, and our student Alex got his hat signed by Jalen Brunson! Thank you again to Madison Square Garden for taking our students on a private tour with career talks from MSG employees, and letting us sit courtside during warm-ups!

We'll be cheering on the New York Knicks tonight 🌟

🍅 AAFE Food Pantry TOMORROW at our Jackson Heights office!

Our monthly food pantry for our Jackson Heights community will take place tomorrow starting at 1pm. First come, first served while supplies last. Our office address is 37-61 84th St. Come join AAFE and our partners 34th Ave Open Streets and Neighborworks! 🌟