Dear Community,

Over the last week an undeniable truth has emerged: these are unprecedented times we are living in. COVID-19 has the potential to devastate our families, communities, and society. As we have since our inception in 1985, our Council stands with you. In this time of trepidation and anxiety, we will continue to serve as a reliable and responsive source of verifiable information to you and all Minnesotans. Now more than ever before, we are committed to assisting community members with navigating state government to access resources. To ensure that we serve as a vital source of information for you, and in instances where we do not have an immediate answer for you, we will coordinate to send you to the appropriate offices and/or programs.

Over the coming days, you will begin to see a rapid number of updates on our Council Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CAPMnews/ These updates will provide you with the latest information on actions the federal and state governments have taken as components of their ongoing response to mitigate the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. We hope to provide you with easy-to-understand summaries of the critical, and often complex, information that is being reported on an almost hourly basis. Beginning next Monday, March 23rd, these updates will also include links to key websites, including our Council website: https://mn.gov/capm/ where you can access critical information such as a list of resources available to you right now.   

The role of government has not always been clear to most in our Asian Pacific communities; however, moments like this demand that, to the greatest extent possible, government carries out its role and responsibilities to the people in an accessible and timely manner. Please do not hesitate to lean on us; and we ask for your patience as we seek to secure the answers and support you need.

We recommit to taking care of ourselves and each other in this time. In our various capacities, we will overcome together.

Thank you,

Sia Her