What nots of a former coffee house guy

Welcome to random bon mots from a guy that used to own the best darn coffee house in Union City, CA

Monday, March 12, 2012

Saving FAJ (Filipino Advocates for Justice)

Paddy's Coffee House and the FAJ have a storied and wonderful relationship. Some of our colleagues were from FAJ, and we have seen their passion in community involvement.

FAJ recently got word that their funding from the Alameda County is being taken away and given to a 90+million dollar organisation based out of So Cal, which operates in various counties.

It is shocking that an Union City based organisation, deeply involved in community activities will cease in two weeks. The prevention education, alternative activities, problem identification and referral and community-based process model that FAJ built in Union City will be sorely missed. FAJ's collaborative of partners (New Haven Unified School District, Communities Organized for Renewal, Asian Community Mental Health and the various Union City youth support committees are at a loss as to how they will fill the hole in the violence and alcohol/drug prevention infrastructure FAJ helped knit together over the last 10 years in particular.

On our part, whenever we saw a community problem that needed to be addressed, we immediately turned to our friends in FAJ. Paddy's and FAJ have done various community outreach in the past, including Safe Sex practices among the youth, Bone Marrow Drives, Voter Education, Immigration assistance. And first hand, we have seen the dedication and passion that the organisation brings to the table.

We don't look at FAJ as Filipino Advocates for Justice, but rather we look at FAJ as Freedom, Awareness and Justice for all.

To help save FAJ, please show your support by writing your letters of support to the elected officials of Hayward,Union City, Fremont, Newark and also to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

1 comment:

  1. Also, you can show your support by showing up to the March 27th meeting, this Tuesday at 7P at Union City's City Hall! Please, please, PLEASE attend! Your presence alone will let the city council know we need their long term support!

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