The Child Center of NY’s Asian Outreach Program helps recent, at-risk Asian immigrant children and their families get their lives back on track. It is one of the very few organizations in NY that provides vulnerable Asian immigrant children and families from China, South Asia, Afghanistan, Korea and the Philippines, the mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence prevention services that they so desperately need, but are often too ashamed to access because of cultural stigma or language obstacles. Many of the children and families served live in conditions of extreme poverty and deal with issues including substance abuse, depression, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. Yet many still don’t seek help because of the cultural shame and stigma associated with these problems and because of language barriers. Other critical services provided through AOP’s parent agency (The Child Center of NY) include multi-lingual tutoring in reading and math, treatment for infants and toddlers with developmental issues, and Head Start, a program to support parents and enhance the education and growth of children ages 3 to 5.
AOP’s services are delivered in two clinics -- in Elmhurst and Flushing, Queens -- by staff members who are both highly trained as social workers and counselors, and familiar with the specific cultural struggles and hardships of each of the many Asian communities they serve. Most are recent immigrants themselves, and together they are fluent in 16 Asian languages.
Over the last decade, AOP has helped instill the confidence that people can turn around their lives, and as a result more and more people come to its doors. However, even with two clinics AOP is hard pressed to serve all the families coming to its doors and hence continues to need support in order to fulfill its goals.
In a city filled with so much opportunity, no child should be left to struggle alone or turned away from critical services that can help turn around his/her life.
- Location: Woodside, NY 11377
- Visit the website: childcenterny.org