Page 39 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

January to June
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Human Services Day Event Held at Philippine Center New York

The Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI)
in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General held a
Human Services Day on March 25, 2017 at the Kalayaan Hall
of the Philippine Center in New York. FAHSI is a non-stock,
non-profit organization dedicated to improving the social
conditions and enhancing the self-reliance of Filipinos and
Filipino-Americans in New York City

The day-long event featured two panels composed of
resource persons from different Human Services agencies and
organizations catering to underserved and underrepresented
sectors in New York.

The panelists composed of Margaret Abrams of the
Anti-Domestic Violence and Women’s Program group Women
L-R 1 row FAHSI Board Members Aleli Alvarez, Emerson Ea, Cora Custodio, Con- Rising; Emily Task of College Access support group Options
st
sul General Theresa Dizon – De Vega, FAHSI Board members Jaena Valles, Dr. Center; Veronica Lavarro of the Asian Health Center-Holy
nd
Jean Lobell, Board Secretary Laura Lopez; 2 Row Panelists Jo-Ann Yoo of the
Asian American Federation, Peter Gee of University Settlement, Mark Libatique of Name Hospital; Larinda Hooks of Elmcore Youth and Adult
New York Immigration Coalition, Therese Rodriguez of APICHA, Marian Guerra of Activities catering to seniors and young people; Therese
New American Leaders Project, FAHSI Board Member Atty. Reuben Seguritan, Rodriguez of APICHA Community Health Center which
FAHSI Vice Chair Joseph Barretto, FAHSI Chair Zultan Bermudez provides programs on Primary Care, LGBTQ issues, Safety
Net Services; Mark Libatique of New York Immigration
Coalition; Peter Gee of University Settlement; and Marian Guerra of the New American Leaders Project, all spoke of various
services available to the community.

The event also featured guest speaker Fran Barrett, InterAgency Coordinator for Not-for-Profit Services of the Office of
the New York Governor, who spoke of New York State support for non-profits and their contribution to providing a wider range
of services to the public. Another guest speaker, Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation, spoke
about the state of research on the social conditions of Asian-Americans and Filipino-Americans on a wide range of human
services issues.

(Continued from page 38)...Fil-Ams in NJ Holds Forum.. The panelists responded to questions from attendees on
how to access free Human Services as well as volunteering to take
The speakers discussed the importance of part in the different initiatives of the resource organizations.
participating in the US political arena, starting with the Atty. Reuben Seguritan and Dr. Jean Lobell, Board
local councils and institutions. The speakers and the members of FAHSI, spoke of the organization’s continued
audience, both those at the venue and online, commitment to ensuring that the underserved sectors in the
exchanged ideas on the different approaches to community such as the elderly, victims of domestic violence, youth,
encourage members of the Fil-Am community to actively LGBTQ community, human trafficking victims, and undocumented
and constructively participate in different political migrants have access to available services.
activities and have their voices heard.
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega acknowledged the
Philippine Consul General in New York Ma. work being undertaking by FAHSI and spoke of the importance of
Theresa Dizon-de Vega shared the need to "incubate" reaching out to underserved and underrepresented sectors,
and mentor upcoming Fil-Am leaders who are inclined in engendering a spirit of volunteerism in the community, and working
governance to train and prepare them for their future together to realize a more just and humane society in keeping with
roles and maximize their potential. She also the global sustainable development goals.
emphasized the importance of getting involved in local
organizations and institutions like the school and zoning
boards.

The Consulate, in coordination with Filipino-
Americans politicians and community leaders, is slated
to conduct this year a follow-up Seminar on mentoring
the emerging generation of Filipino-Americans with an
interest in and potential for political advocacy and Panelists L-R Larinda Hooks of Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Veronica Lavarro of
governance work. The seminar likewise aims to educate Asian Health Center-Holy Name Hospital, Emily Task of Options Center-Goddard Riverside,
the community on civic and political systems and Margaret Abrams of Women Rising, Inc., and Fran Barrett the InterAgency Coordinator for
processes. Not-for-Profit Services of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office