(Akron, Ohio) Asian Services in Action (ASIA) congratulates Malissa Xiong, Program Specialist of ASIA’s Sustainability Services department, for being awarded the True North Award: Community Leader by the North Hill Community Development Corporation (NHCDC). The award recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that exemplify the core values of peace, social justice, community building, and economic development within North Hill. NHCDC announced the winners of the Truth North Awards on September 12th.
“Malissa exemplifies great integrity of character and resilience,” said Kelly Le, Manager of Volunteers and Special Projects at ASIA. “She is an incredible advocate for the communities she serves along with the colleagues that she helps to build professionally. Her values are always ones of collaboration and cohesion, searching for ways to meet common goals and uplifting others to reach individual ones. She has managed the HAPI Fresh Farmer's Market for almost a decade, which has been a key program that many residents look forward to every summer to not only dabble in entrepreneurship but to also get local culturally appropriate produce for their families.”
Malissa manages workforce development programs at ASIA’s Sustainability Services as well as ASIA’s Healthy Asian Pacific Islander (HAPI) Fresh Farmer’s Market, also known as HAPI Fresh. Vendors from the immigrant and refugee communities including Ka’Ren, Hmong, Nepali, and Hispanic among others sell their locally grown produce to community members, which offers entrepreneurial opportunities to newcomers and neighbors with home gardens. Many vendors sell culturally specific vegetables that are prevalent in Southeast Asian cuisine, such as pumpkin shoots, bitter melon, and chili peppers. Visitors of the farmer’s market come from numerous cultures including but not limited to Afghan, Congolese, and Mon. The market runs yearly from the first Wednesday of July to the last Wednesday September since 2014. It is hosted at Akron Cooperative Farms (743 Gaylan Dr, Akron, OH 44310) on Wednesdays from 4-7PM.
NHCDC will present the True North Awards at the Fourth Annual International Day of Peace Celebration at People’s Park (760 Elma Street, Akron, OH 44310). The celebration will take place from 11AM-1PM.
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ASIA is the largest health and human services agency that serves, supports, and advocates for the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of Northeast Ohio. ASIA focuses on providing linguistically and culturally centered services for immigrants and refugees.
MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Chen
EMAIL: achen@asiaohio.org
PHONE: (330) 459-1173
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