For Immediate Release
April 22, 2013
Please contact: Cathy Vue, Program Coordinator | cvue@asiaohio.org | 330-535-3263 x226

Download this press release.

ASIA, Inc. Project RAISE Working with Community Organizations to Maximize Opportunities for Healthy Living in the Asian American Community of Greater Cleveland 

CLEVELAND – To help eliminate chronic disease disparities and improve the health of Asian Americans (AA), Native Hawaiians (NH) and Pacific Islanders (PI) across the U.S., Asian Services In Action (ASIA), Inc. is partnering with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and the New York University Center for the Study of Asian American Health (NYU CSAAH) as part of the Strategies to Reach and Implement the Vision of Health Equity (STRIVE) project.

STRIVE is a five-year project aimed at increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and supporting weight management. STRIVE will assist community based organizations (CBOs) and coalitions to conduct a local health assessment and policy scan; develop a community health action plan; and implement high impact, population wide improvements to address barriers to physical activity, nutrition and weight management with AA/NHPI populations. The STRIVE project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. APIAHF will work with CBOs in 15 communities across the country and Pacific to implement the STRIVE project. As a part of STRIVE, ASIA, Inc. will be implementing Project RAISE (Reaching Asian Americans through Innovative and Supportive Engagement) and working with 16 key community organizations in Greater Cleveland.

“ASIA, Inc. is committed to improving the health and well-being of the Asian American community, one of the fastest-growing racial populations in Greater Cleveland,” said Michael Byun, the Executive Director of ASIA, Inc. “We are looking forward to implementing Project RAISE and empowering our community leaders to come together as we improve the human condition. With STRIVE and RAISE, we have opportunities to bridge the gaps in health inequity and improve the quality of life for all people.”

The key community organizations include: AsiaTown (St. Clair Superior Development Corporation); cultural language schools (Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association, Hindi Heritage School of Solon, Korea School of Greater Cleveland, Westlake Chinese Cultural Association); ethnic social and voluntary groups (Association of Philippine-American Physicians of Ohio, Federation of India Communities Association, Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland, Orgs. of Chinese Americans of Greater Cleveland, Philippine American Society of Ohio, Salaam Cleveland); refugee resettlement centers (Cleveland Catholic Charities Office of Migration and Refugee Services, International Services Center, U.S. Together, Inc.); and public health resources (Cuyahoga County Board of Health). By working together, Project RAISE will combine unique cultural AA practices and traditions with evidence-based health initiatives to create a sustainable, healthy community to impact 75% of the AA population of Greater Cleveland.

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Asian Services In Action
ASIA was founded in 1995 by four immigrant women who recognized a unique need for under-served Asian Americans in Northeast Ohio. The mission of ASIA is to empower Asian Americans in Northeastern Ohio to access quality information and services that are both culturally and linguistically appropriate. Informally, ASIA is considered by many to be the new “settlement house” for the Asian community. Its services touch the lives of more than 10,000 people each year. Visit www.asiaohio.org to learn more. Follow ASIA onFacebook and Twitter!

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.