APAIT a division of Special Service for Groups

Building community resilience through self-defense empowerment class for the TGI community with RAW Power Self Defense.

January is #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth, and we’re sharing the powerful story of a survivor who overcame unimaginable challenges to reclaim their life. Human trafficking is a global crisis, with an estimated 24.9 million people trapped in forced labor or sexual exploitation worldwide. This injustice can happen to anyone in any community.? Watch, share, and join us in amplifying the voices of survivors. To learn more, visit apaitssg.org. #TogetherWeCanHeal

APAIT/SSG, along with our partners Thai CDC, Department of Labor, Deputy in Charge, LA County District Attorney's Office, and Deputy District Attorney attended the national convening on the illicit massage industry—one of the most prolific and misunderstood forms of human trafficking in the U.S. This two-day event in Arlington, Virginia brings together experts to share knowledge, strategies, and tools to combat exploitation and support survivors.?

Happy Holidays from all of us at APAIT/SSG! This year, the APAIT team came together to celebrate the holiday season with a festive dinner and heartfelt recognition of our incredible team and community. We were also thrilled to host author Curtis Chin for a book signing of his inspiring memoir, "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant." During the evening, we honored our Seniority Service Award winners, whose years of commitment continue to strengthen our mission and impact. We also recognized our dedicated staff members who have gone above and beyond this year. To our team, supporters, and partners – thank you for making this year unforgettable. As we move into 2025, we look forward to continuing our work together, building healthier, happier communities.

UCLA and APAIT/SSG partnership secure new research grant to study integration of universal basic income among housing insecure people living with HIV ?On Monday, December 2, 2024, the UC Regents California HIV/AIDS Research Program (CHRP) announced five million dollars of investment across sixteen newly funded HIV research grants focused on implementation science and policy research. One of the newly funded projects under the area of Economic Justice Interventions to Address HIV and HIV Syndemic Factors in California, is called Project CARE: Californians Access to Resources for Housing and Economic Security to Promote HIV Care.? Project Care is a collaboration between academic and community partners UCLA School of Nursing and Access to Prevention Advocacy Intervention and Treatment, a division of Special Service for Groups (APAIT/SSG). The research team includes Principal Investigator Dr. Wei-Ti Chen and Dr. Chengshi Shiu of UCLA School of Nursing and Jury Candelario, LCSW, of APAIT/SSG. The research team has a long, successful track record of collaboration including a recent Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A partial snapshot of the implementation science-based project abstract is below: Integrating housing services with universal basic income (UBI) is emerging as a promising approach for mitigating the adverse effects of homelessness and income insecurity on care engagement among people living with HIV (PLH). However, most current research examines the impacts of housing services or UBI separately, leaving a notable gap in our understanding of their combined effects. To address this gap, the aim of this study is to pilot test an economic intervention for its acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy in promoting healthcare engagement among 24 PLH experiencing housing instability in the LA metropolitan area. This intervention will consist of UBI, housing services, and the combination of UBI and housing service, allowing for a more accurate evaluation of their implementation outcomes and impacts on health care engagement, both as individual components and in combination. Comparative studies to better understand the potential synergies of these interventions in promoting care engagement among Californian PLH with housing instability are urgently needed.?

On #WorldAIDSDay, Peppermint reminds us that knowing your status is a powerful step toward ending HIV stigma. Testing is easy, and advancements in treatment and prevention mean no one has to face HIV with fear.

November is a time to reflect and advocate for critical issues affecting our community! This?Transgender Awareness Week?Homelessness Awareness Month, we proudly celebrate Casa de Zulma’s 5th Anniversary. Casa de Zulma, created by SSG sister divisions APAIT & HOPICS, serves as a safe haven for trans women experiencing homelessness. Housing insecurity and discrimination remain persistent barriers. While we’ve made strides—such as establishing safe, affirming Short-Term, Transitional, and Permanent Housing spaces like Casa de Zulma—there’s still much work to do. Let’s recommit to ensuring everyone has access to safe, stable housing.

Team APAIT Orange County meeting with Board of Supervisor Sarmiento today about housing and behavioral health needs of vulnerable communities in Orange County.

To our community stakeholders, The recent elections have been a reason for pause to reflect, grieve, reset, and connect. Through all this, APAIT/SSG is committed to continue providing trauma-informed and culturally affirming services and advocacy for our most vulnerable communities – the LGBTQIA-Two Spirit community, the immigrant and refugee community, the people impacted by HIV/AIDS, the justice involved community, the people impacted by mental health and addiction community, the people impacted by human trafficking, the people impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity, and the Black, Indigenous, People of Color communities. APAIT stands in solidarity with our community members who are in grief, fearful, and struggling to make sense of today’s present, and the uncertainty of the future. We hear you. We see you. We will continue to advocate for you. Please know that you have a safe space at APAIT, a division of Special Service for Groups. Sincerely, Jury Candelario, LCSW Director (He/Him/His) APAIT/SSG

We are thrilled to announce that our Division Director, Jury Candelario, has been named one of the “75 Most Influential Filipino-Americans of 2024”! His work within our organization has been instrumental in driving transformative initiatives that improve health outcomes, foster partnerships, and support community well-being. This recognition is a reflection of Jury’s deep passion for promoting Filipino-American excellence and representation. Join us in congratulating Jury on this well-deserved achievement!