Asian Services in Action, Inc. (ASIA)

Asian Services in Action Inc. (ASIA) serves the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by providing comprehensive wrap-around services. This organization aims to provide quality, culturally, and linguistically appropriate information, health, and social services in Northeast Ohio. These services are tailored to various audiences, including immigrants, refugees, and non-English speakers.

ASIA aligns with McGregor’s mission because they believe seniors need supportive and social environments where they are assisted while leading fulfilled and meaningful lives. Generally, isolation is prevalent in older adults. Their children become grown adults and have other responsibilities to take care of. It can also be difficult to get from one place to another. There are several other reasons why seniors are more susceptible to mental health disorders.

In 2022, ASIA received a $20,000 grant from The McGregor Foundation to help support their mental health programs. One such program, Lucky Seniors, aims to alleviate isolation while helping various communities preserve their cultures. “On a weekly basis, we have transportation to pick up the Lucky Seniors so that they can have some social time together, share a meal, and learn about positive thinking to help with their mental wellness,” Elaine Tso, ASIA’s CEO, explains. Program participants make connections with others while participating in activities tailored to their culture; this does wonders for promoting togetherness. Because of COVID, this program turned to virtual conversations around mental health during the weekly Lucky Seniors Emotional Support group, where they discuss a new topic each week in their preferred languages.