Why You Should Give

For three decades, the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) has been a proven “safety net” for the Asian and Pacific Islander communities of Colorado.  These communities are Colorado’s fastest growing ethnic minority group reaching close to 150,000 and we continue to see growth.    Last year alone, over 1,000 refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand came to Colorado.

The Story of Refugees:   A refugee arrives in Colorado after having lived in refugee camps for many years and for some youth, their entire lives. They come from conflict-ridden societies, day-to-day oppression, persecuted from their own country and driven out of their own homes.  Seeking refuge at refugee camps isn’t as easy as it sounds.  Residents are fenced in, usually without electricity, running water or sewage treatment facilities.  The refugee camp isn’t always peaceful either.  There are ongoing conflicts among different ethnic groups, risks of diseases and human trafficking and this vulnerable population has nowhere to claim their home; they are citizens of no country.

After arriving in America, people from refugee camps around the world are supported by the U.S. government for eight months.   After this, they are expected to learn English, find a job and learn how to navigate the different social systems.

Government resettlement agencies turn to APDC  for its culturally competent and sensitive  services to provide refugees with culturally appropriate health, mental health, interpreting services(providing translation services in over 30 languages), ESL classes, youth programs, citizenship classes, sexual assault prevention, legal services and whatever other assistance is needed.  With the ongoing, unwavering help of APDC,  these “new” Coloradans are able to settle in our state with pride.

Over the last 30 years, APDC has provided these services in subpar facilities.  Our clinic is located in an old house near City Park.  It is a four-story building with no elevators and no parking.  The floor-plan is not conducive to medical care and the elderly or handicapped must be carried from floor to floor.

Our staff offices, youth services, translation and interpretation programs are housed nearly 5 miles east of the clinic, in Aurora.  The building is cramped with little space for staff and all of our communities to gather, learn and grow.  We touch and serve over 15,000 children, adults and elderly with a staff of  only 19.   A new central location will help us serve our communities more efficiently and effectively and expand our services to meet the growing needs of our clients.

Our Journey Continues.