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September 2018
A HARVEST OF MEMORIES
YOUTH EFFECT: 12TH ANNUAL MOON FESTIVAL
Moon Festival is a traditional holiday that celebrates the completion of a harvest season. It features lantern parades that signify a wish for the sun’s light and warmth to be returned after a long winter. It is a time of appreciation, where family and friends often share mooncakes as they give thanks and gaze at the moon during its fullest peak.
Over the last 12 years, our Youth Effect members have dedicated countless hours after school and over weekends to showcase their talents through cultural performances. This year, the WYND team presented drumline, lion and dragon dances. Following these performances were traditional Vietnamese hat and fan dances, martial arts by Vovinam, and even a "Baby Shark" and Macarena contest! Volunteers from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences also hosted face painting, balloon animals and relay games for children and their families to enjoy. We are humbled and overjoyed to see the entire Worcester Community gather for a tradition that is held near and dear to our hearts. Amongst the 500 attendees of children and families was state Senator Michael Moore. Thank you to everyone who joined us, we hope to see you again soon!
Volunteers Mr. Quyen Truong & Ms. Son Ho joined by State Senator Michael Moore, SEACMA Executive Director Anh Vu Sawyer, SEACMA Board Director Minh Mailloux, Regional Environmental Council Stephen Fisher, and Jayna Turchek Director Office of Disabilities & Human Rights, and their families.
This event was made possible by our wonderful sponsors: Albert W. Rice Charitable Foundation, Amelia Peabody Foundation, Ascentria Care Alliance, Binh An Market, Boys & Girls Club, Frank W. & Carl S. Adams Memorial Fund, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Mass Council on Compulsive Gambling, Pathways for Change, Shriver Job Corps Center, WIC Family Health Center, Worcester Arts Council, Yoway Cafe & Frozen Yogurt.
NEW ENGLAND MADE SHOW
Many of SEACMA's clients possess amazing handcraft skills such as sewing, weaving, arts and crafts, website design, jewelry making, and food services. To help them grow and establish small businesses, we have developed our own start-up incubator. We provide free studio space, equipment, materials, training, resources, and connections to other business owners to ready them for success.
In early September, we expanded our client's reach to wholesale buyers at the New England Made Trade Show in Sturbridge, MA. We created SEAC MARKET as a way to collectively promote their services and products. Team members Anh Vu Sawyer, Em Trieu and Emily Tran connected with buyers and other business owners who were interested in collaborating with SEACMA's artisans. The event was a great way to promote their talents and create further job opportunities!
SUMMER IN REVIEW
As we transition into the autumn season, let's look back at our highlights this summer. Fun events, performances, workshops, and more!
MAY: Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Small Business Development at Clark University
Arts and crafts coordinator, Em Trieu, making centerpieces for Health Care for All Fundraising Gala
WYND placed 3rd in Dragon Dance at the United States Dragon & Lion Dance Federation competition
JUNE: Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito at the Business Roundtable event with local small business owners
Anh Vu Sawyer with Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Mayor of Framingham at the DCU Center
SEACMA's Youth perform and celebrate International Refugee Day with Mayor Petty, Ascentria Care Alliance and many others
SEACMA's Annual Asian Festival with 1,000+ attendees
JULY : Children's Summer Program bonding over home cooked meals, trips to the library, arts and crafts, sports, and more
Artisans from SEACMA's small business & entrepreneurship program showcasing their products at Worcester PopUp
WOMENS HEALTH NETWORK
SEACMA is grateful to partner with Family Health Center for a Women Health Network project to provide culturally responsive service to Greater Worcester's Asian women. The Women's Health Network focuses on evidence-based strategies to increase cancer screening rates and diagnostic services, case management, and patient navigation to underserved populations; increases public awareness about breast and cervical health; and offers professional development opportunities and quality improvement opportunities for clinical providers and community health workers. Screenings are important because they can find cancer early, when treatment works best. In fact, cervical and colon tests can find growths that can be removed. It is important to talk to your health care provider about which cancer screenings are right for you and when you should get them.
To find out more information, or to get a referral to a health center that provides breast health services, breast cancer screening, and other screenings please call SEACMA at (508) 791-4373.
Did you know?
Cancer is the leading cause of death of Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) women in the United States, with breast cancer as the most common
Cancer deaths are increasing faster among A&PI Americans than any other U.S. ethnic or racial group
U.S. A&PI rates of invasive breast cancer have increased approximately 1.2% every year between 1988 and 2005, and have yet to decline
Breast cancer rates among U.S. A&PI women are 60% higher than those found in the same women's A&PI home countries
Sources from Asian Breast Cancer Project