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Compassion in Action – Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team Celebrates 10 Years of Service in Orange County

Suzanne Whang
Host, Actress, Author, Comedian and Equal Rights Activist		 Kieu Chinh
Joy Luck Club		 Charles Dewitt
"Unsung Hero" Award Recipient
Viet Bao
Media Award Recipient		 The Center Orange County
Community Service Award Recipient

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WESTMINSTER, CA (September 15, 2009) - The Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team, Southern California’s largest provider of HIV/AIDS services to Asian and Pacific Islanders, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary serving Orange County. Comedian (Winner at NY and LV Comedy Festivals), Host of HGTV's House Hunters, Actress as Polly on NBC's Las Vegas, Author Happy Home Buying, and Equal Rights Activist Suzanne Whang is set to host this year’s festivities!

APAIT-OC acknowledged the need for culturally-sensitive programs, especially in the area of health for Asian and Pacific Islanders (API). APIs is a growing community in greater Orange County. It would be incorrect to say APAIT-OC works alone. It is with the assistance of others that make services possible. For this reason, APAIT-OC recognized various individuals and organizations for their commitment.

Chuck Dewitt, REACH Program Community Health Assistant, was one of the honorees at the APAIT-OC’s 10-Year Anniversary Luncheon in Westminster. He received the “Unsung Hero Award” for his contribution to the agency’s HIV Testing program. Kieu Chinh, a legendary Vietnamese American actress, presented the award to Mr. Dewitt.

“Chuck’s dedication to the HIV/AIDS community continues to be an inspiration to our work. His dedication to our work has been integral to the life of our HIV Testing and outreach programs,” said Elizabeth Mediano, Manager of APAIT-OC.

Also honored at the luncheon were The Center Orange County, an organization serving the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual community received the “Community Service Award.” Mary Anne Foo, Executive Director of the Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance, presented the award to The Center Orange County.

APAIT-OC also recognized “Viet Bao,” a Vietnamese newspaper, for covering the Banyan Tree Project, a five-year HIV anti-stigma campaign funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Quyen Tran, Viet Bao’s General Manager, accepted the “Banyan Tree Project Media Award” on behalf of Viet Bao. The award was presented by Mayor Margie Rice of Westminster, CA.

Asian and Pacific Islanders (A&PI) make up about 16% of the total population in Orange County. Yet out of that 16%, 6% of those individuals contributed to the total number of AIDS cases in 2007.