We are the
American Central
Asian Association
We strive to serve and represent the needs of the Central Asian community in the US.
Who are Central Asians?
kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, tajikistan,
turkmenistan and uzbekistan
Central Asia is a subregion of Asia which stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north. The region consists of the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
In the pre-Islamic and early Islamic eras (circa 1000 and earlier) Central Asia was inhabited predominantly by Iranian peoples, populated by Eastern Iranian-speaking Bactrians, Sogdians, Chorasmians and the semi-nomadic Scythians and Dahae. After expansion by Turkic peoples, Central Asia also became the homeland for the Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tatars, Turkmen, Kyrgyz, and Uyghurs; Turkic languages largely replaced the Iranian languages spoken in the area, with the exception of Tajikistan and areas where Tajik is spoken.
From the mid-19th century until almost the end of the 20th century, Central Asia was colonised by the Russians, and incorporated into the Russian Empire, and later the Soviet Union, which led to Russians and other Slavs emigrating into the area. Modern-day Central Asia is home to a large population of European settlers, who mostly live in Kazakhstan; 7 million Russians, 500,000 Ukrainians, and about 170,000 Germans. Stalinist-era forced deportation policies also mean that over 300,000 Koreans live there.
Our mission
The community
Community Engagement
Research
Central Asians are a group that hasn't previously been represented or studied in the U.S. Therefore, our research department is working on the first-ever community needs assessment for Central Asians. The team is in the planning-piloting phase of the project and preparing for distribution. Once the data is collected and analyzed, the results will be published. Based on the results, more programs will be implemented.
Community events
We are partnered with Annabel Counseling Services PTLC., psychological counseling, and social work company that provides resources, therapy, and social work services to the Association
Volunteers
ACAA cares about education which is why we run an internship and volunteer program available to anybody 16 years and older. The program aims to raise awareness of social issues, as well as give the opportunity to intern/volunteer in an environment that supports the volunteer's career goals Volunteers/interns are placed into their department of interest and are given training and work in alignment with their goals.
Our programs
Our programs and resources aren't limited to members of the Central Asian community, we are always looking to help those in need.
Mental Health Support
Our culturally competent staff of psychotherapists, social workers and caseworkers are among the most qualified in the field and are equipped to address a wide range of emotional and social problems such as trauma, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), domestic violence, anxiety, depression and isolation.
social work and legal support
Our department is dedicated to providing essential assistance and guidance to individuals and communities in need. We recognize the complex and often challenging processes individuals face when navigating legal systems, especially with the limited translators available for Central Asian languages. Thus, we aim to provide culturally sensitive guidance and support to ensure equitable access to justice and resources.
Throughout the year, ACAA hosts a variety of educational and interactive events, ranging from cultural workshops to community forums.
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Resources and News for Everyone
Community Needs Assessment Report 2023
The American Central Asian Association's Community Needs Assessment focuses on the Central Asian community in the U.S., a group often overlooked and u...
Fri, 29th December 2023
1 minutes read
Low Cost Mental Health Resources: Supporting Well Being Across All Age Groups and Communities
In today's fast-paced world, mental health has become a critical concern affecting individuals ofall ages and backgrounds. Access to proper mental hea...
Sun, 24th September 2023
11 minutes read