Advocacy

SSG’s advocacy programs are designed to empower individuals and families to engage and resolve critical challenges affecting their communities. These programs’ advocacy efforts promote positive and just environments for vulnerable populations and enable individuals to live life at its fullest.

Below is a list of SSG’s advocacy programs. Click on the program name for more information.

List of programs in alphabetical order:

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER OBESITY PREVENTION ALLIANCE (APIOPA)
APIOPAs mission is to power the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community to improve their health by recognizing health disparities and to improve/address social, cultural, environmental, and political factors that contribute to the growing rates of obesity among API residents in Los Angeles County.

We are currently focused on one project. Safe Active Family Environments for Asian and Pacific Islanders (S.A.F.E for APIs) addresses the staggering obesity rates in the Pacific Islander communities by building upon APIOPA’s pilot project in 2007-2009 to increase access to physical activity to Pacific Islander (PI) neighborhoods. Using guidelines that our PI Community Action Group (CAG) developed during the pilot project, we advocate that public parks adopt standards for safety, cleanliness and culturally competent family programming to promote active and healthy lifestyles.

Services Offered

• Community Outreach
• Community Education
• Policy and Advocacy
• Collection of Data and Resources
• Network/Relationships with various API health organizations
• Organizational Capacity Trainings

SSG Program Since: 2010 (In existence since 2007)

605 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 720, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (213) 553-8491 | Fax: (213) 553-1822
Website: www.fightapiobesity.wordpress.com

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BENEFITS ASSISTANCE CLIENTS URBAN PROJECT (BACUP)
The Benefits Assistance Clients Urban Project is a mental health wellness center and benefit advocacy program. The wellness center also known as the LIFE Center provides activities to promote self-sufficiency and wellness for adults with mental illness. BACUP also works to educate the community the realities and stigmas of mental illness.

Services Offered

• LIFE Center – Client-run center (Activities include: Smoking cessation, conflict resolution, games club, computer class, photo club, movie talk, arts & crafts, vision board, plant project, WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) )
• Application assistance for SSI and SSDI benefits
• Emergency food vouchers

SSG Program Since: 1986

2120 W. 8th Street, Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Tel: (213) 368-1888 | Fax: (213) 368-6888
Website: www.bacup.net
Email: info@bacup.net

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THE PAINTED BRAIN (PB)
The Painted Brain (PB) is a peer-driven media and outreach campaign created by young adults with mental illness. Through the use of art and media, PB seeks to eradicate the stigma of mental illness, foster thriving social relationships and to create a community of young adults.

Services Offered

• Art, music and writing groups
• Design and publication of the painted brain magazine
• Outreach and education

SSG Program Since: 2012

605 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (626) 354-1584| Fax: (213) 553-1822
Website: paintedbrain.org
Email: thepaintedbrain@gmail.com

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PALS FOR HEALTH/ALAS PARA TU SALUD (PALS)
PALS for Health seeks to improve the health care system’s understanding and support of Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients and families and to increase its capacity to provide quality interpretation and translation assistance. Serving Los Angeles and surrounding counties (Orange, Riverside San Barnardino), PALS for Health also works to inform LEP patients and families of their right to these services and how to access them. Staff and language consultants’ language capacity includes Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Russian, Spanish and threshold Asian languages (including Tagalog.)

Services Offered

• Interpretation services
• Translation services
• Evaluation and training of health care interpreters and translators
• Continuing education seminars and case conferences for health care interpreters and translators
• Trainings for consumer and provider groups
• Advocacy on language access, safety net programs, and early intervention and prevention services
• Bilingual proficiency testing
• Health care, breast health and HIV interpreter training services
• Simultaneous Interpretation Training
• Translation training
• Promotores and community health workers training (including training mental health services promoters)
• Cultural competency and health literacy trainings to providers and community education for consumers

SSG Program Since: 1991

605 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 750, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (213) 553-1818 (for English speakers)
Tel: (213) 614-1761 or (800) 228-8886 (API multilingual voicemail)
Tel: (213) 627-4850 (for Spanish speakers)
Fax: (213) 553-1822
Website: www.palsforhealth.org

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Saath
Saath (a word for “collective action” in several South Asian languages) was formed in 2006 as a community-led response to the disproportionate impact of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases on South Asians (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Nepali). Dedicated to improving the South Asian community’s health, Saath is initially focusing on a three-part objective: to promote cancer prevention, early cancer detection and cancer survivorship among underserved South Asians in Southern California. Saath has also made best practices available to South Asian communities and agencies nationwide, through a partnership approach.

Services Offered

• In-language latest health information to increase knowledge and action
• “Well Done Masi!” is a program available in English, Bengali and Urdu and focuses on cancer prevention and wellness for South Asian women/families
• Referrals to health care providers for prevention, early detection and treatment
• Navigation assistance to understand how to obtain high quality care faster. Our trained “Saathis” (i.e. Navigators) are with you every step of the way
• Policy recommendations to ensure health systems are responsive to issues impacting South Asians
• Outreach and support for cancer survivors
• Research in collaboration with local Universities to design programs that work. Partnerships and capacity building with like minded groups to work in synergy to improve South Asian health nationwide
• Dissemination to other U.S. cities and countries to share Saath’s best practices

Founded in 2004 and working with SSG since: 2006

605 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: (866) 459-8474
Website: www.saathusa.org
Email: saathusa@saathusa.com

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TONGAN COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER (TCSC)
The Tongan Community Service Center provides social services to vulnerable families, seniors and disabled Tongans in Los Angeles County. They support the community to engage in pressing issues, including poverty, education, immigration and health.

Services Offered

• Case management
• Immigration services
• Health programs
• Academic support
• Youth leadership programs
• Food distribution
• Employment services
• Translation and interpretation services

SSG Program Since: 1991

13030 Inglewood Ave. Suite104, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Tel: (310) 679-9099 or (310) 679-9899 | Fax: (310) 679-9022
Website: www.tonganla.org
Email: office@tonganla.org

Additional Location
11701 Inglewood Ave. Suite 201, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Tel: (310) 978-8378 or (310) 978-8978

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