A Thank You Letter from our Program Director

Dear Friends of Asia Institute – Crane House,

As a first generation Asian American who has lived in Louisville, Kentucky for over 15 years, I can’t express how grateful I am to be working at an organization like Asia Institute – Crane House (AICH). AICH not only serves as an Asian Community Resource Center, but as a hub for all Asian communities to connect, engage, and support one another. Thank you for believing in our mission and goals and for the unwavering support you have shown us throughout the years!

In 2023, we collaborated with numerous non-profits organizations around town and government agencies, including: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Louisville Branch), the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, Speed Art Museum, Kentucky Arts Council, World Affairs Council of KY and Southern IN, Louisville Free Public Library, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Japan/America Society of Kentucky (JASK), Louisville Zoo, and the Asian Studies program at University of Louisville (UofL), as well as UofL’s Center for Asian Democracy. The purpose of our efforts is to make a broader impact in the community through educational workshops, networking events, cultural exchange opportunities and exhibition experiences.

Our team, my AICH family, has been so grateful to resume many of our signature educational programs this summer, one of which being STARTALK Summer Mandarin Camp. STARTALK was put on hiatus in recent years due to COVID-19 and lack of funding, but this year we were able to bring this camp back for middle and high school students. So many students depend on this camp to continue their Chinese language and cultural studies since language programs across the city have been cut, which makes the work we do here locally even more important to promote both multiculturalism and multilingualism in our rapidly globalizing world.

AICH also resumed our other signature educational program: Teach in Asia (TIA). This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Tainan alongside 8 American educators through the TIA Program. During the three and half weeks, we taught at 12 different schools and engaged with more than 300 Taiwanese elementary and junior high school students. We brought elements of American culture, American sports, national parks, American fast-food traditions, and aspects of Kentucky’s rich culture and culinary heritage to classroom settings. Not only did this experience allow me to enhance my Asian culture, but also gave me the opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s rich history and culture in return. As I reflect on my time teaching about American culture in Taiwan, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy.

AICH’s major events, the Lunar New Year Dinner & Auction and the Asian Night Market have undoubtedly made a lasting impact from AICH to the community. I had the privilege of witnessing an astonishing level of participation in both extraordinary gatherings. Furthermore, under the leadership of Joel Buno, the Executive Director of AICH and the efforts of AICH team and volunteers, I played a pivotal role in orchestrating all strategic planning, overseeing logistics and operations, managing vendors, and was honored to host both events. We look forward to continuing these events in the upcoming years.

During my last two years as the Program Director at Asia Institute – Crane House, I successfully revamped our program’s curriculum, incorporating the latest social media trends and best practices, resulting in approximately 30% increase in e-newsletter subscriptions, 25% increase in social media following and 15% increase in membership enrollment. I focused on organizing and hosting a greater variety of workshops, such as Intro to Tai Chi, Mahjong 101, Bento making class, Ikebana (Japanese floral arrangement) class, exhibit open receptions, homebuying workshop and speed networking events to attract a broader range of audience.

I also volunteered to re-launch the Crane House Young Professional (CHYP) program, which has been an active division of AICH since 2010. I led a team of young professionals in achieving the goal of strengthening and uniting the Asian Communities in Louisville by hosting professional, social, and networking events. We have partnered with Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) in Election Watch Party and Virtual Speed Networking events. CHYP Spring Recruitment, St. James Art Fair Fundraiser, Holiday Potlucks, restaurants nights, monthly happy hours, and movie nights are some of our major events.

AICH’s main purpose is to promote understanding of Asian cultures and heritage through education, outreach, and arts. To maintain the great work and signature programs of AICH, we count on gifts from supporters like you, now more than ever.

Will you join me in making an end-of-year gift to support AICH as we head into the new year?

Financial contributions to AICH may be made one of four ways: