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Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

Created by Uzair Qadir

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Q&A

Chair Lee asks how AAPI organizations can partner with MOIA

New York City Council · May 28, 2026 · starts 4:45:52 · 1 min 9 sec

Lee asks how local AAPI-serving CBOs can bridge the gap in culturally competent legal services. Ali highlights the legal technical mentorship program administered by Immigrant Justice Corps and capacity building initiatives for AAPI-led organizations.

Linda Lee

And I think this is across all communities in general and something we've heard in our roundtable conversations where there really is such a shortage of culturally competent attorneys that are available.

Linda Lee

And so what are some ways that, and you sort of alluded to this with the partnership aspect, but what are some ways our local AAPI serving community-based organizations can partner with you to bridge this gap?

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

Yeah.

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

We know there are areas where I think additional culturally and linguistically responsive legal capacity would make a real meaningful difference, especially for our AAPI communities.

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

You know, I think meeting those requirements.

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

requires sustained investment in community-led legal infrastructures.

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

You know, one specific way that MOIA is already working on this is really through capacity building initiatives.

Member of the Public - Faiza Ali

You know, I mentioned in my testimony the legal technical mentorship program that's administered by IARC, making sure that our AAPIs-led and serving organizations have access to that capacity building tool is really critical.

Linda Lee

Yeah.