The Mission of IAAA is threefold -
- To promote, educate, and celebrate Asian and Asian American heritage and cultures
- To uphold the civil and human rights of all Asian Americans and other residents in the greater Ithaca community, and
- To encourage the full participation of all Asian Americans and other residents in the American democratic process.
In addition, for the enrichment and advancement of our Ithaca community, IAAA serves as a medium of exchange, communication, and understanding between Asian and non-Asian community members.
Short Term Goals of IAAA
- To organize cultural events recognizing our diverse cultures and communities
- To develop mentorship programs for children of immigrant Asian families
- To establish a Saturday Asian cultural program for children
- To continually sponsor lectures, arts, and films highlighting Asian and Asian American experience
- To fundraise in support of scholarships for young Asian Americans
- To advocate at all levels of government, civic life, community, and business for the advancement of the Asian/Asian American communities
- To serve as a resource to various educational and community agencies by providing translation services, ESL, job help, community liaison services, etc., and
- To have recurrent social events that allow us to share our food, culture, and our friendship with one another
Long Term Goals of IAAA
- To host annually and be the lead organizer of one of the most exciting events in the Central New York area: The Finger Lakes Dragon Boat Festival
- To initiate, manage, and maintain a multi-service cultural and community center which is owned and operated by the Asian American communities
- To become a national community historical and cultural archive for the development of a pan-Asian identity
- To assist national organizations with research and office facilities for the advancement of Asian Americans in the State of New York and nationally
- To provide administration and program space for non-profit Asian and Asian American organizations in the greater Ithaca community, and
- To initiate, manage, and maintain a great hall and conference center for the benefit of the entire Ithaca community
