When Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) was formed in 1996, it was intended to fulfill a deep need as a place that brought together significant segments of minority Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. For more than two decades, APCC has taught and celebrated the cultural history, customs, arts, crafts, people and legends from their 47 represented nations. And it has been a hub for so many people to gather and celebrate. To be entertained. To show their pride. And to help each other.
Helping each other is one of the major missions of APCC. And, help they do. Whether it is assistance in filling out government forms to start a new business or guiding members in understanding complicated regulations, APCC is there to help. The organization knows they are trusted because they look like their members and speak their language. They form a comfort zone and have the capacity and earned trust to improve their members’ lives.
Through phenomenal support from their sponsors, APCC puts on a vast number of annual events that entertain and educate. But APCC also sees a need to help with students creating many wrap-around youth programs in the local schools. Reducing stress for youth begins and ends with reducing stress on their parents. This is accomplished by APCC through housing and food assistance, two of the biggest stressful issues for any family.
As APCC approaches its 25th anniversary in November, it has expanded its role in the community by offering free testing and vaccinations, much needed food boxes and school supplies plus Resiliency Grants Assistance for small businesses. Asia Pacific Cultural Center – on a continued mission of service.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
253.383.3900
APCC96.org
BY LYNN CASTLE