Cover mural artwork by youth in AWUM's Children's Program, Ordinary to Extraordinary
See page 5 art gallery for more!
Jane’ s Story
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
Jane (alias name to protect identity) called AWUM’s crisis line needing help to leave her abusive
marriage Jane endured a great deal of verbal and emotional abuse, and not only by her husband but
from his family as well. Jane, along with her three children, escaped to
safety, arriving at the House of Peace (HOP) with nothing,
including no money because she
was never allowed to have any, or
to open her own bank account. She immediately worked with AWUM
advocates to create a safety plan for herself and for her children and filed an Order for Protection.
While staying at HOP, Jane
accomplished a lot of her goals:
she connected with family and immigration attorneys and immediately applied for MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment
Program–cash and food
assistance), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children–supplemental food
assistance), and Child Care
Assistance She also registered for classes in a Certified Medical
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Assistant (CMA) program.
In less than a year, Jane and her
children moved into their own place
through Coordinated Access
Programs, and shortly after settling into their new home, she finished
her CMA class and got her driver’s
license! Through the whole process of moving from HOP to Jane’s own
place, Jane managed so many needed changes on her own: her children’s school transportation, their daycare, and informing her childcare worker.
AWUM is proud of Jane and her
hard work, demonstrating courage, strength, and perseverance. She reminds us how independent and powerful a person she is, taking
care of not only herself, but also
her three children.
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
Sarah’ s Story
Sarah (alias name to protect
identity) fled home to stay with her
friend before coming to AWUM’s
shelter. Sarah was a senior in high
school and a first-generation
refugee in America. She lived with
her boyfriend because she had no family and had nowhere else to go.
Sarah’s partner kept showing up at
her school and at her friend’s home
to try to gain access to her Sarah's
school resource officer and social
worker got involved. They decided
to contact AWUM
AWUM advocates went to the
school to meet Sarah and her social
worker To ensure safety, Sarah’s
clothing and belongings were
discreetly transferred to the social
worker’s office. On the day of her
move-in to HOP, an advocate
picked Sarah up at a rear exit of
the school, while the school
resource officer & staff monitored
arah
er 2024
Sarah’s mother fled Minnesota for
another state on the East Coast to
escape domestic violence from
Sarah’s father Sarah had no
relationship with her father Sarah
was afraid
HOP advocates helped Sarah to file
a restraining order, apply for
general assistance, and access medical care through the state.
This was the first time in a very
long time that Sarah was able to
attend school and focus on her
studies She was so far behind that
she did not think she would be able
to graduate and participate in commencement with her friends.
Sarah met with our Children’s
Advocate to work on homework
every night. Sarah eventually found
a job and moved in with a family
friend after staying at HOP for two
months
We are proud that she graduated from high school in June of 2025.
AWUM CHILDREN’S PROGRAM ART GALLERY
MISSION AND VISION
MISSION
Asian Women United of Minnesota
will end domestic violence by
promoting safe and healthy
relationships within the Asian-Pacific
Islander community and beyond.
We are the leader in eliminating violence in the Asian-Pacific Islander community and
share the expertise of our best practices
with others. Using the strengths of the API community, AWUM will uphold an
environment free of violence, promote selfsufficiency for women, and foster nurtured and healthy children and families.
LETTER FROM AWUM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As I reflect on Fiscal Year 2024-25, I am deeply grateful for the leadership of our
Interim Executive Director, Sipra Jha, whose shelter expertise and steady hand guided our team through a time of significant transition and challenge for our organization. Her insights have been invaluable as we chart a path forward.
This past year presented our shelter with unprecedented operational constraints that fundamentally impacted our capacity to serve new participants. While our dedicated team worked tirelessly to support those already in our care, circumstances outside of our control, including unexpected facility plumbing issues, limited our ability to accept new residents during critical periods This reality weighs heavily on us, as our mission is rooted in providing a safe haven to women and families in our community who need us most.
Yet within these constraints, we have learned important lessons about resilience, prioritization, and the true depth of our team's commitment Our shelter staff continued to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care to existing residents, ensuring that those we serve experienced the dignity and support they deserve. We have also used this period to assess our operations, identify systemic barriers, and develop strategies to strengthen our capacity moving forward
On a personal note, I am honored to join AWUM as Executive Director. Despite funding climate challenges and other curve balls thrown at our team, I am proud to serve with some of the most dedicated individuals in the domestic violence direct service space I am excited to see what we can achieve together
To our donors, partners, volunteers, and community members: your belief in our mission sustains us. We ask for your continued friendship, partnership, and support as we work to expand our capacity to serve the Asian women and families who depend on us
With gratitude and hope (and big dreams!),
Clara Haycraft
Executive Director
Asian Women United of Minnesota
IN-KIND DONATIONS
In-KindGiftsfromtheCommunity
AWUM receives a generous collection of in-kind donations every year from
community members. We are so thankful for the many thoughtful
contributions received from around the Twin Cities
PEARL – Boston Scientific
(August 2024)
On behalf of AWUM, AWUM interim Executive
Director Sipra Jha and Development
Associate Xue Lo received in-kind donations
from staff at Boston Scientific (BSC). These
were items collected in May & June 2024
during a donation drive hosted by PEARL
(Pacific East Asian Resources in Leadership)
–the employee resource group from Boston
Scientific. In addition to the physical
donations, BSC employees donated a total of
$998 in matching dollar gifts to AWUM!
PEARL (BSC) team members Joanne Cryer
and Amy Hang delivered the wonderful supply
of donations - Ziploc bags, diapers, hand
soap, dish-wash soap, and other essential
items for women & families at our shelter.
Thank you so much for the efforts of PEARL
ERG at BSC!
Code42
(September 2024)
Many thanks to Code42 staff
for their donation drive
benefiting AWUM families! We
picked up the items on
September 13, 2024 from Jeff
Larson, Sr. Facilities Mgr at
Code42 offices.
Target’s Asian Business Council
(September 2024)
AWUM was excited to partner with Target’s
Asian Business Council and HandsOn Twin
Cities for a Target team members volunteer
event held at the Target HQ on September 18,
2024 AWUM staff members Xue Lo &
Maitzeng Chang attended the event to share
AWUM’s mission and services. Target team
members attended in-person and remotely,
donating in-kind essential items as well as
assembling home care kits for the women
AWUM serves. The teddy bear towels are
adorable! We can’t thank enough Target team
member Mercedes Halaska and HandsOn staff
Sandy Yang for organizing the wonderful event!
Donation from Karen (September 2024)
Karen regularly reaches
out to AWUM to see if we
have any needs. We are
so very grateful for her
support in this way. Thank
you from the bottom of
our hearts, Karen!
U of MN Alpha Phi Gamma (APhiG)
(October 2024)
As part of the University of Minnesota–
Twin Cities’ Alpha Phi Gamma National
Sorority–Mu Chapter’s philanthropy
efforts and commitment, the Mu
Chapter hosted a donation drive event,
“APhiG’s Cozy Bear Bash” on October
24, 2024 benefiting AWUM. The event
was held on campus and included a
presentation on intimate partner
violence by Xue Lo, AWUM’s
Development Associate APhiG
members folded brand-new bath towels
into teddy bears Many thanks to APhiG
for the donated cozy bear towels!
InspirASIANS - Medica (December 2024)
Many thanks to the Medica Employee
Resource Group InspirASIANS for donating over 30 bags of Winter Care Kits that included: gloves, hats, cup, socks/compression socks, hand warmers, comb, body wipes. We appreciate the support from InspirASIANS!
C.H. Robinson – Human Resources
Department
(May 2025)
AWUM received 30 new tie blankets from
the Human Resources Department team at
C.H. Robinson in Eden Prairie, MN. Many
thanks for these lovely gifts as a part of the company's commitment to community
engagement
Boston Scientific
(June 2025)
In early June of 2025, AWUM welcom
Boston Scientific to our 24-hour emer
Scientific’s Week of Service. The Bos
helped to refresh our gardens and lan
mulch, planting some Hosta plants, gi
donating a couple bags of dirt. They also assisted us with removing
items out of our shelter space that are no longer needed, such as:
many large & heavy pieces of office furniture, discarded boxes, and an old fridge! THANK YOU, Boston Scientific team members, for helping us!
AWUM ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Outstanding Community Partner Award
AWUM was presented with the
Outstanding Community Partner
Award from the University of
Minnesota’s Center for Community-
Engaged Learning (CCEL) at their
annual Community Partner
Gathering on August 6, 2024. The
event was held at the Robert J
Jones Urban Research and
Outreach-Engagement Center in
Minneapolis.
CCEL Director Laurel Hirt presented
the award to AWUM’s Development
Associate Xue Lo. Thank you so
much to Laurel and her team at the
CCEL for all these years of partnership, matching AWUM with
talented, smart and caring UoM
students to serve as volunteers at
our House of Peace shelter!
Xue Lo and Lauren Hirt
API-GBV 2024 National Summit
Hosted by the Asian Pacific Institute
on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV),
the 2024 National Summit, "Growing
from Our Roots, " took place August
27-29, 2024 in San Francisco,
California Several AWUM staff had
the opportunity to attend the summit,
which its theme included: honoring
the foundational leaders of our
movement, embracing the dynamic
growth of a new generation, and a
tribute to the past with a bold stride
toward future achievements in ending
gender-based violence within AAPI
communities and beyond The summit
program was rich with the expertise of
esteemed keynote speakers, Mia Ives
Rubles and Helen Zia, who shared
transformative and inspiring insights.
Their contributions are pivotal in
guiding our conversations and actions
as we forge pathways toward
enhanced advocacy and support.
Numerous panel and workshop
speakers, with incredible lived and professional expertise, shared their
knowledge
Our heartfelt thanks to API-GBV staff
(and their sponsors, advisory
committee, and board of directors)
whose generous support and commitment helps sustain AWUM’s
mission and amplify the impact of our
work The summit was not just an
event but a platform for change. It
aimed to uplift, build, engage,
educate, and empower all of us to
foster leadership, promote peer-to-
peer learning, and utilize cultural
expression and history as a tool for
healing Through these collaborative
efforts, AWUM will continue to
strengthen the commitment of AAPI-
specific programs working to
eradicate gender-based violence.
AWUM from the Heart 2024
AWUM held our 13th annual gala,
AWUM from the Heart, on September
25, 2024 at the Woman’s Club of
Minneapolis. It was a beautiful
evening of warm connections with
new and long-time friends We are
always so grateful for the time
together Thanks to everyone who
donated. We applaud our amazing
artistic presenters the soulful and
gifted musician Alicia Thao and the
sensational and energetic dancers
from Cypher Side Dance School led
by founder/dancer Lue Thao! Special
acknowledgement to our inspiring
keynote speaker Naheed Murad of ZACAH, and a powerful testimonial
by Mayuri Meera.
Once again, we want to mention the
fantastic service and delicious dinner
by the chef & staff at The Woman’s
Club of Minneapolis. Our annual
event is not the same without their
support We appreciate their
partnership each year. Above all, we
are grateful to all our guests &
donors YOU make our annual
fundraiser so amazing and a true
success. From our hearts to yours,
THANK YOU!
(Photos by Maivab Photography)
AWUM from the Heart 2024
Give to the Max Day 2024
AWUM’s annual participation in the statewide fundraiser Give to the Max
Day generated $3,090! The November 21, 2024 event helped us to replace worn-out couches and heavily used waiting room chairs at the
House of Peace, our 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children We are so grateful for your partnership!
Action Day 2025: Victim Services Are Public Safety
AWUM staff took part in Action Day on February
10, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Victim
services are public safety. The Victims of Crime
Act (VOCA) is facing major cuts, and victims
services continually face inadequate funding despite doing critical work The Minnesota
Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, Violence Free Minnesota, Mending the Sacred Hoop, Minnesota Alliance on Crime, and Minnesota Children’s Alliance hosted a joint
Action Day 2025: Victim Services Are Public
Safety at the Capitol. AWUM, along with other anti-violence organizations, advocates, coalitions, victim survivors and allies gathered in the State Capital, calling for the prioritization of funding for victim services
VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS
AWUM programs thrive because of the commitment of our volunteers and interns. They make it possible for us to achieve our mission. Each person contributes not only their time, but also a genuine sense of care and purpose. Their support allows us to deliver exceptional services to the women and children at the House of Peace. We are sincerely thankful for the volunteers and interns for their invaluable contributions! During July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, AWUM had 26 volunteers & 4 interns offering a total of 2,651 hours of service. Below is a testimonial from one of our amazing volunteers!
TrietLu,Volunteer
“Volunteering at AWUM allowed me to connect with my Asian immigrant community and witness a resilience from survivors that proves hope can exist even
IN MEMORIAM
Arun Singh
(October 13, 1954 - October 25, 2024)
AWUM advocate, supporter, defender & friend, Arun Singh passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024 from complications related to gastric cancer. Arun served on AWUM’s Board of Directors from 2016 through 2019. Arun championed AWUM’s mission to end domestic violence by speaking out courageously about men’s role to end violence against women He was
unwavering in his commitment and understood the importance of men working with other men to address abuse. Arun cared deeply for the vulnerable and was devoted in his
service to those less fortunate He was especially steadfast in supporting girls and women. We remember his vibrant spirit, generous heart, and loyal friendship.
Arun was born in Calcutta, India on October 13, 1954 He graduated from the Madras Institute of Technology and worked in Calcutta before moving in 1986 to Fargo, North Dakota, where he earned a master's degree in computer engineering from North Dakota State University He and his family moved to Rochester, Minnesota in 1989 and then to the Twin Cities in 1991. Arun retired in 2023 as Chief Information Officer of Cannon Fallsbased company, Gemini Arun is survived by his wife Neelam, daughters Namrata and Neha, their husbands Patrick and Tyler, and grandsons Tej, Kiran and Jahan.
Photo caption: Arun Singh at AWUM from the Heart gala in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 30, 2023. Photo by Thaiphy Phan-Quang.
AWUM SERVICES
House of Peace (HOP) Community Advocacy Program (CAP)
Temporary emergency shelter
Women’s support group &
children’s groups
Assistance in obtaining
Orders for Protection (OFP)
Aid in filing for Harassment
Restraining Orders (HRO)
Provide with housing
assistance and job search
Help with filing for financial
assistance & reparations
claims
Legal referrals for family and
immigration law
24-hour multi-lingual crisis
line
Safety planning
Legal (criminal & civil court)
advocacy
Sexual assault advocacy
Assistance in obtaining
Orders for Protection (OFP)
Aid in filing for Harassment
Restraining Orders (HRO)
Assistance with immigration
services
On-going follow-up services
Violence prevention &
outreach in the API
community
Community education on
domestic violence
Training for service providers
PARTICIPANTS STATISTICS
The below data reflects the participation numbers at AWUM during the period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Participation levels at the House of Peace during this fiscal year declined because of plumbing issues that temporarily limited our ability to serve families at our normal capacity in the shelter. From November 2024 through September 2025, facility repairs were conducted to address water damage and restore the affected areas to safe and functional use
House of Peace (HOP) Community Advocacy Program (CAP)
43 shelter participants (21 women & 22 children)
584 crisis calls
247 calls requesting resources
203 requests for OFP/HR (Orders for Protection or
Harassment Restraining Orders)
378 support groups & individual counseling services provided
333 advocacy participants (291 women & 42 men)
82 attendees at 11 community trainings/presentations
LEADERSHIP
2025 FY Board of Directors
Hao Nguyen, Chair | Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
Rebecca Chaffee, Secretary | Hennepin County District Court
William Vang, Member | Chlamydomonas Resource Center
Sophia Vuelo, Member | Ramsey County Second Judicial
District Court
2025 FY Leadership Team
Sipra Jha, Int
Lucas (Louie) Munn, Facilities Supervisor
Nancy Wong, Communications Manager
2024-2025 FINANCIALS
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
FINANCIALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025
EXPENSES
FINANCIALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025
FISCAL YEAR 2025 GRANTS, CONTRACTS, FOUNDATIONS
Alice M. O’Brien Foundation
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based
Violence
BMPP Giving Circle (in partnership with
Minneapolis Foundation)
HRK Foundation
Mardag Foundation
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Minnesota Office of Justice Programs
Otto Bremer Trust
Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation
Pohlad Family Foundation
Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation oundation of Minnesota
2025 FISCAL YEAR CASH AND IN-KIND DONORS
Abigail Stahl
Afagh Mohajeri
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Alice M. O'Brien Foundation
Alicia Coffeen
Alpha Phi Gamma - UoMN
Amanda Krings
Amber Kokette
Amy Kenzie
Amy McTeague
Ananya Narayan
Angela Jones Flanaghan
Anita Gopalaswamy
Anjali Srivastava
Anjuli Mishra Cameron
Chef Ann Ahmed, Khâluna
Ann Moore
Anne Hines Brabec
Anonymous (19)
Asian Collective Team - Ryan
Companies ERG
Attrayee Dey
Bau Yang & Chia Vang
Bhagwati Karki
Boston Scientific
Brandon Fabel
Brian Workman
Briana O'Brien
Brindha P. Sargunam
Bruce Lee Cha
C.H. Robinson - Human
Resources Dept
Calluna Yang
Carol K. Arthur
Carol McTeague
Carson Yang
Chase Brenny
Chaya Garg & Ravi Janardan
Cherrelle Phon
Christina Miller
Christine Howard
Claudia Waring
Code42
Connie M Korman
Costco Wholesale
Craig Steiner
Cyndi Moua
2025 FISCAL YEAR CASH AND IN-KIND DONORS
David Ingham
David Milazzo
Deborah Weinstock
Debra Hilstrom
Deepika Appana
Diane Seep
Duraikkannan
Sundarackannan
Elissa Schloesser
Gail Chang Bohr & Richard
Bohr
Gail S Gangstee
Grace & Paul Wong
Hao Nguyen
Harold Williams
House of Kirin
Immigrant Law Center of MN
InspirASIANS - Medica ERG
Jason Dawson
Jessica Lerbs
Joan Linck
Joanne Cryer
Kamlika Chandla
Karen R Steiner
Karen Tobler
Kasum Chaturvedi
Katelyn Korman
Katie Berg
Kayla Sexton
Kelly McTeague
Korra Yang
Kris & John Gillio
Kris Solz
Krishna Jain
Krissandra Anfinson
Laura Pawlacyk & Dennis
Jones
Layli Phillips
Lee Reinhardt
Lucas Munn
Lydia Geiszler
Lydia Lui
Madhumita Bose
Maitzeng Chang
Marcia A Parish
Margaret Dreon
Mark Glotter
2025 FISCAL YEAR CASH AND IN-KIND DONORS
Marthand Nookala
Mary Norby
Mayuri Utturkar
Melanie Kelly
Melissa Avery
Melissa Ng
Milton Lucy
Naheed & Bilal Murad
Nancy Lindberg
Nancy Wong
Nayana Jha
Neelam & Arun Singh
Neerja Patel
Nilan Johnson Lewis, PA
Noreen Sheikh
Pamela Zeller
Panu Her
PayPal Giving Fund
Peter Cox
Poonam Agarwala
Priyam Saxena
Progressive Insurance
Foundation
Raji Shankar
Ramanathan Subramanian
Rebecca McLane
Regina (Chu) Moore
Rilee Nash
Robyn Tabibi & Dain Meyer
Roger A Gangstee
Rolf F Bjelland
Rosario de la Torre & Rogelio
Salinas
Sabrina Yates
Sabriyah Taher
Sajla Aggarwal Koul
Samira Samimi-Moore
Sanyu Janardan
Sara Paquette
Savita & Ramesh Harjani
Sawyer Brumm
Sayali Amarapurkar
Selene Yang
Shailja Ambrose
2025 FISCAL YEAR CASH AND IN-KIND DONORS
Shakuntala Maheshwari
Sheng Lor
Sherry Elwell
Shoua Kong
Shruti Joshi
Sipra Jha
Smriti Arora
Stacy Miller
Swasti Shree
T-Rex Cookie Company
Tanni & Bhabani Misra
Taxden Turnage
Tonia Marie Shupien
Trader Joe’s at 721
Washington Ave S , Mpls
Triet Lu
Trisha Brandes
Txhee Belinda Xiong
Vaishali Jha
Vennilla Thiruvengadam
Xinxin Zhang
Xue Lo
Yamini Jha-Korman & Dan
Korman
Hand-painted stones by the children at our House of Peace shelter.
Thank you for partnering with us to end domestic violence by promoting safe and healthy relationships within the Asian Pacific Islander community and beyond.
