Mission:

To support community members who have suffered a bias incident or hate crime, including (for example) harassment, discrimination, or violence, and who have experienced physical injury, emotional trauma, or confusion.

Goals:

Assist the community member to report the bias incidents or crimes to police or other relevant agencies or tracking mechanisms and assist in the prosecution of the alleged perpetrators or accompany the community member to interviews by the police or prosecutors. In appropriate cases, accompany the community member to court or help them seek counseling or mental health treatment, as well as connect community members with each other for mutual support.

Approach:

This project prioritizes the community member’s interest and desires.  While we are interested in helping community members report the incident or seek redress and justice under the law, we act in accordance with the community members’ directions and in their best interests. If a community member is not interested in reporting or prosecuting the incident, we will continue to assist that person in getting the help and support she needs. Whenever possible, we seek to work or collaborate with other communities of color in seeking solutions to anti-Asian hate sentiments.

Identifying those seeking assistance:

We will actively promote and publicize the services provided by HEART. We will also track publicly reported incidents about the individual who has encountered a bias incident or hate crime. We will then make our best efforts to approach these individuals discreetly and with sensitivity to offer our assistance.

Recruitment and Expectations of Volunteers:

We will put out a call for volunteers through AABANY’s Weekly Announcements and via social media. We will reach out directly to our Board members and Committee Chairs to spread the word. At any public events at which AABANY is presenting about anti-Asian violence and racism we will publicize HEART and encourage people to volunteer. The volunteer need not have the ability to speak an Asian language. AABANY will recruit volunteers who can serve as interpreters as needed. Once a volunteer is assigned to a community member who requests assistance, the volunteer will provide ongoing support -- not legal representation -- to help the person obtain a resolution, such as by accompanying the person to law enforcement to make a report of the incident, pointing the person to victims’ services that may be available, or connecting the person to mental health resources. This list is illustrative and non-exhaustive. The volunteer should consult with the community member to understand her interests and desires. The volunteer should offer suggestions and advice consistent with the person’s expressed interests and desires. The engagement ends when the community member decides that no further assistance is required and desirable, or when the volunteer believes that he or she has provided all the assistance that can be reasonably given under the circumstances. 

Funding:

AABANY will actively seek funding from donors to the Turn the Tide Fund.

Administrative Assistance:

AABANY staff will provide administrative assistance to support the HEART program.

Download the HEART brochure by clicking on the image below.