COMPASSION IN SGV
Hearing continued reports of anti-Asian incidents in the news was devastating, and with each new incident, I worried about the elders in my community who frequently walk streets and plazas alone. Every day it seemed like these attacks were getting closer to home and I was tired of feeling helpless and powerless. Being that the San Gabriel Valley is home to one of the largest AAPI populations in America, I felt like we needed an initiative to unify the community and establish a sense of security and protection.
While I had little previous experience in community organizing, the desire to help came naturally. With the help of my friend Phoebe Gallo, we started an all-volunteer organization called Compassion in SGV in March of 2021 – the first SoCal chapter of Compassion in Oakland. With my art direction experience, I led a team of two volunteer designers to create print assets available in multiple languages, volunteer materials, signage, social media assets, event artwork, and merchandise.
Our organization now has a pool of more than 200 volunteers of various ages and backgrounds. We’ve launched various endeavors, including a free chaperone program, food drives, rallies to raise awareness for the Stop Asian Hate movement, block parties to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, and free self-defense workshops.
BRANDING
CREATIVE DIRECTION: BRITTNEY AU
DESIGN: RIYANNA FURLANO & WINNIE QUAN
ILLUSTRATIONS: DANNY LIU
SPREADING THE WORD
COMMUNITY EVENTS
‘Block the Hate’ Community Block Party & Rally (2021)
VIDEOGRAPHER: DO YU PRODUCTIONS
PRESS: SGV Tribune
‘Block the Hate’ Community Block Party & Rally (2022) | Sponsored by Target, Starbucks, Sony Pictures, We Rise LA, REI, Yeos, and Honey Belle
VIDEOGRAPHER: DO YU PRODUCTIONS
Self Defense Class taught by Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park
PHOTOGRAPHER: MAKITO UMEKITA
Candlelight Vigil in Monterey Park (2023)
VIDEOGRAPHER: DO YU PRODUCTIONS
PRESS: Pasadena Star News | CBS 2 | SGV Tribune | Washington Post
MURAL INSTALLATION: Eddy Lee, Iron Grace Rentals, and REI
LION DANCERS: Kong's Siu Lum Pai Kung Fu Association Monterey Park
PHOTOGRAPHER: MAKITO UMEKITA