Our History

Organized the first Mental Health Education program at the 2016 UCA Convention, featuring two youth-focused sessions & Youth Service Project
Hosted Bridging the Cultural Gap: An Honest Conversation with Teenagers with Dr. Josephine Kim, including the “Fish Bowl” parent workshop
Presented Challenging the Stereotypes: How Chinese Americans Define Our Identity and Broaden Opportunities for Our Children

Hosted the Asian Parents, American Children conference in Chicago, focused on strengthening understanding between immigrant parents and their children
Drew 250 participants across the nation through UCA chapters and community partners
Founded UCA Illinois as the organizer of the conference

Hosted an Anti-Bullying Conference in Chicago focused on youth mental health awareness, prevention, and community education
Conducted workshops in multiple states to support youth, families, and community mental health engagement, including events in Wisconsin, Las Vegas, Ohio, San Francisco, Minnesota, and Chicago
Promoting culture and civic engagement through Jiaofestival

Conducted multiple webinars with the Breaking Silence Team to combat anti-Asian hate and promote mental health awareness
Provided leadership training for four team members who are licensed health professionals
Began production of Silent War
Launched the Parent & Youth Ambassador Program

Received Mental Health Awareness Training Grant from SAMHSA, collaborating with NCCU
Began MHFA training nationally
Held UCA WAVES mental health session at the 2022 UCA Convention
Lily spoke at the news media, WRAL supporting nursing students
Launched UCA WAVES Village online peer support

Lily Chen invited to the White House to advocate for AAPI mental health
WAVES invited to serve on SAMHSA task force for “Pathway forward”, participating in the 60^th King’s March in DC
Received funding from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to study the effectiveness of the MHFA Chinese
Keynote speaking at Arizona AAPI conference
Served on TAAF Youth Mental Health Survey “Beyond the Surface” Community Advisory Committee

Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in NC!
Received funding from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation for the Identifying NC AAPI Health Priorities project, partnering with Karen Community Farm at Oaky Grove and 12 Community partners
Organized a hybrid mental health Conference in Raleigh with NC Asian American Together
Hosted the WAVES Summit with 8 sessions at the 2024 UCA Convention in DC, and visited Capitol Hill to advocate for AAPI Mental Health
Organized a hybrid mental health Conference in Raleigh with NC Asian American Together
Presented AAPI research in London with UNC Royster fellows

Obtained funding from the NC DHHS, youth mental health grant from the Blue Cross NC foundation, Wake County mini-grant, and strategic planning grant from the Triangle Community Foundation
Expanded in-person peer support, education & outreach for youth and families
3 presentations & rally at the APHA in DC, received the best student abstract award; presented at the TAAF Conference in SF & national Chinese Schools Association in Boston
Lily received the Carolina Public Service Award from UNC-Chapel Hill
Hosted the Roots & Resilience Conference in Raleigh, featuring the premiere of the documentary film Silent War.
Obtained the Strong Minds grant through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, funded by NC DHS
Launched Silent War screenings nationwide

Reached thousands through increase WAVES presence during the Lunar New Year & other events
Presented Preliminary AAPI Health Priorities Survey results at Duke CTSI
Moved into our very first office & hosted an Open House in May
Held Community In Action in Las Vegas at UCA’s 5^th Chinese American Convention