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June 1, 2006
City of Austin
Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office
Cultural Arts Division
City Hall
301 W. 2nd Street, 2nd floor Ste. 2030
Austin, TX 78701
Dear Sir/Madam:
I have been actively involved with the Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA) since 1998. When I took my seven years old daughter to one of their events, since then she became interested with our Filipino cultures and folkdances and has been performing with the many cultural programs. Being half American, she learned to embrace the culture and proud to be a Filipino. That is also true with other Filipino-American kids that have been involved with the AFAA activities. I was the Social Cultural Chairman for AFAA for several years, and I think it is important to promote and showcase our culture, not only to the growing Filipino community in Austin, but also to the growing visitors and tourists, to enrich the cultural diversity in Austin.
For our mission to materialize and be fruitful, we are seeking your support for the Austin Filipino-American Association and the community at large.
Sincerely,
Aurora Hillin
17706 North Rim Drive
Leander, Texas 78641
512-267-1525
June 1, 2006
City of Austin
Economic Growth and the Redevelopment Services Office
Cultural Arts Division
City Hall
301 W. 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, Ste. 2030
Austin, Texas 78701
To Our Friends at the City of Austin,
My family has been active members of the Austin Filipino American Association (AFAA) since 1996. Shortly after our arrival in February 1996, we experienced first hand the wonderful warmth we felt from members of this great non-profit organization. As active members of this organization, we help promote and preserve Filipino culture, bring diversity to this great City, help support the less fortunate here and abroad, and represent the voice of the Filipino community in Austin and in this great State of Texas.
As beneficiary of this great organization, it is the obligation of the membership to help carry the torch where ever we go, to represent this great City with pride, support, and love.
Preservation of this organization is most urgent, it would be devastating blow to the Filipino community if our service programs diminish due to lack of funding.
Sincerely,
Tatchi Lay
8745 Wafers Ash Way
Austin, Texas 78750
512-257-7042
May 31, 2006
City of Austin
Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office
Cultural Arts Division
City Hall
301 W. 2nd Street, 2nd Floor Ste. 2030
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am a 24 year resident of Austin and I have seen the city flourish and grow during that time. I have three children who had gone through the Austin public school district. My children are biracial and are very proud of their Filipino heritage. In the 23 years that I have lived in Austin, there has also been an influx of many more Filipino migrants who have come here to seek the American dream. To foster the continuation of our Filipino heritage and cultural diversity in Austin, I heartily recommend and encourage this panel to approve the $25,000 grant that the Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA) is seeking.
Sincerely,
Elena Cablao
512-927-9070
2005 Oakleaf Circle
Austin, Texas 78723
Alegria L.Olivarez
President
Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA)
P.O. Box 15072
Austin, Texas 78761
Dear Community Leader:
Thank you for expressing interest in the campaign to build the Austin Asian Resource Center (AARC).
Asian Americans represent an ever-increasing number of Central Texas residents. During the 1990s, the Asian American community more than doubled, growing to over 45,000 residents and representing about 5% of the population. The most recent economic census data identified that over 2,700 businesses were owned by Asians, and that these businesses created roughly 9,000 jobs and dispersed about $300 million in annual wages into the local economy.
The City of Austin has long since recognized the significant contributions of the Asian American community in enriching the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of our city. This recognition has been transformed into actual policy and direction to staff. On May 3, 2001 the Austin City Council passed a resolution directing the City Manager to identify and recommend a site for the AARC which will serve as a centralized public location for the community to synergize its educational, economic and cultural contributions.
The AARC will provide valuable public space for educational classrooms, commercial activities and meeting space, for the community, specifically for the Asian American community.
An Advisory Board and Steering Committee have been formed to direct the AARC project. We are currently reaching out to the community to ask for your support and ask you to join our effort to make this dream a reality.
The first step is easy. We would like to ask you to write a letter of support for the AARC.
The following resources are available to assist you in writing your letter:
- A Draft Letter and examples of key talking points
- A Letter of Support Example from one of our supporters
- A List of Supporters from our community
Your voice does make a difference. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, (512) 249-7117 or email rohit.jain@hp.com
Your feedback is very helpful to us. When you send your letters, please e-mail or fax me a copy for our files. Also, please send me any correspondence from respondents. Your support for quality, affordable higher education for ALL in our community is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Rohit Jain
AARC Advisory Board, Chairman
Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA)
P.O. Box 15072
Austin, Texas 78761
December 7, 2005
AARC Advisory Board and Steering Committee Members
8711 Burnet Road, Suite A15
Austin, Texas 78757
Dear AARC Advisory Board and Steering Committee Members:
1) Introductory paragraph – Your relationship to the AARC, NAAO or Asian Community, including your reason for writing. Please begin by stating that you are concerned about quality of life, economic development and/or cultural education and appreciation.
State your personal reasons for writing. For example, your company values the contributions of your Asian American employees. As a business leader you see the importance of economic development for our local economy. As a resident you desire to preserve cultural educational and appreciation for your family.
2) Body of Letter – Usually one to two paragraphs. Please select one of the following talking points from that are most appropriate to support your reasons for writing.
The growing Asian American population and benefit of cultural diversity in Central Texas.
The economic impact that the Asian American community contributes to the region through business and workforce.
The need for a centralized public location that will help strengthen the sense of community for Asian Americans living in Austin.
The general population's interest in participating in cultural activities offered by the Asian American community in the areas of education, language, traditional medicine, art and technology.
3) Closing paragraph – Please communicate your support for our capital campaign. Please thank the advisory board and steering committee and include contact information such as your phone number or email address.
I believe that the impact of this project will reach beyond the AARC's immediate programs and continue to provide an ongoing benefit to the community at large for many years.
I believe in supporting the AARC project because it will be an important resource for Central Texas for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Alegria L.Olivarez
President
Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA)
Sample Letter of Support from an Organization
May 31, 2006
To the City of Austin:
I am writing today on behalf of Samsung to express our support for the Austin Filipino-American Association’s programs and events for the benefit of the Filipino culture and the community at large.
Many of our employees are of Asian ancestry with a large portion from Korea, China and other East Asian countries. In addition, we are host to hundreds of Samsung employees who come to Austin for specific assignments that typically last less than six months. We also have many longer-term employees who may live in our community for up to five years. These employees usually bring along their spouse and children. Obviously, AFAA cultural events/programs would be of tremendous interest to these employees and their families and help with the sometimes difficult adjustment of living in a foreign land.
The AFAA presentations of their cultural events would share Asian Filipino culture with the broader Austin community. We at Samsung strongly value the quality of life our employees enjoy in the cities where Samsung is located. In short, when Austin includes a flourishing Asian community, Samsung benefits.
Austin, of course, is a leading contender for Samsung’s next generation fabrication plant. We are hopeful that a final decision will be made in the next few weeks. If Samsung makes a decision to locate the new factory in Austin, it will mean a large influx of both temporary and longer-term Korean employees into our community
I strongly endorse the inclusion of the Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA) grant proposals in the upcoming city meeting that will determine the grant awarding. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Alegria L.Olivarez
President
Austin Filipino-American Association (AFAA)
List of Supporters
AARC Advisory Board
<List Name, Organization>
AARC Steering Committee
<List Name, Organization>
Community Leaders
<List Name, Organization>
Austin Asian Resource Center
8711 Burnet Road, Suite A17 • Austin, Texas 78757
Phone: 512.407.8240 • Fax: 512.407.8233 • Email: info@aarc.org
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