Washington, DC – The Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) is thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant of $80,000 from State Farm to support our work to develop leadership skills and financial literacy for Southeast Asian Americans. SEARAC’s annual Leadership & Advocacy Training (LAT) program focuses on building the leadership capacity of Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) to address the resource and service gaps faced in their communities. This new funding from State Farm will allow SEARAC to continue this vital programming into its 21st year.

Additionally, this grant from State Farm will support SEARAC’s Building Financial Futures for Southeast Asian Americans (BFF) project, which provides essential financial literacy education for SEAA young adults and elders to improve their understanding of managing their finances, their ability to build long-term assets for the future. Training topics will include opening a bank account, creating a savings plan, saving for college, and protection for expected and unexpected life events, among other vital skills to manage personal and household finances. We are excited to work with our partners to address and end the cycle of poverty in SEAA communities.

“We are so grateful to State Farm for its continued commitment to SEARAC and Southeast Asian American communities,” said Quyen Dinh, SEARAC Executive Director. “As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into its third year, Southeast Asian Americans are facing urgent health and economic needs while also managing increased violence and hatred directed toward our communities and families. State Farm’s investment in and support of SEAA leaders means that our communities will be better equipped to convene, organize, and strategize, as well as advocate for their needs in the halls of Congress and in statehouses around the country.”

“State Farm turns 100 this year and for a century, we’ve made it our mission to help people manage the risk of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. We are committed to building stronger, safer and stronger communities where we work and live,” said Apsara Sorensen, Director of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. “Through national nonprofit relationships State Farm supports efforts to improve safety, education attainment, career and professional development, and economic inclusion. That’s why we partner with organizations like SEARAC who share our vision and commitment. At our core our purpose is to help people — that’s what being a good neighbor is all about.”

SEARAC thanks State Farm for their continued generous support of our organization and Southeast Asian American leadership development, advocacy, and financial literacy. To learn more about SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training program, visit www.searac.org. Information about our 2022 programming will be released soon!

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