Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Farewell and Looking Forward!

Dear AATOP partners,

From October of 2012 to May of 2013, we have seen AATOP make progress in its first year! I have enjoyed meeting and sharing with you about AATOP. Your partnership and enthusiasm have been invaluable to the project. Thank you for bringing AATOP to a new level of awareness and participation in Chicago’s Asian American community! In the past 8 months, AATOP has:

  • Formed new relationships and strengthened existing ones with Asian social services, legal networks, and community organizations
  • Organized a Meet and Greet for attorneys with the Asian Pacific American Legal Advocacy Network (APLAN) in May 2013
  • Held a human trafficking training with the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) in May 2013
  • Held a general community forum in October 2012 and will hold the first Asian-specific community forum with our Filipino project partner, CIRCA Pintig, in May and June 2013

AATOP has been gaining momentum in the past few months and will be moving toward additional Asian-specific community forums and more opportunities for attorney and social service trainings in working with Asian trafficking victims. The planning process for these events is already in the works! With your help, AATOP will continue to explore culturally relevant ways to approach this issue in our city.

Just when AATOP is kicking off at a good speed, I am sad to say that I am ending my internship at IOFA. I graduate in two weeks from the University of Chicago’s Social Service Administration program and will be continuing my job search. I have enjoyed collaborating and meeting you all and hope that you will continue to be a part of AATOP. AATOP has been a productive and learning experience for me as I explored what it means to serve people well as a social worker.

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to send an email to info@iofa.org.

In solidarity and for Chicago,


Esther Liew

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