At PSJ, we honor the history, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders — and recognize the ongoing fight for equity, collective safety, and belonging.
We know that AANHPI communities are often impacted by the criminal justice system, but there is a lack of disaggregated data which undermines the unique challenges they face. This “invisibility” is reinforced by the model minority myth.
By framing AANHPIs as a monolith of success, this myth masks the reality of those impacted by the criminal justice system and creates a racial wedge that has historically been used to undermine movements for racial justice.
Due to cultural and linguistic barriers, documentation status, and the fear of reinforcing negative stereotypes, many AANHPI victims do not access support or report harm.
At PSJ, we fight for long-term solutions — like culturally specific and linguistically accessible services — that meet people where they are.
Due to recent immigration raids, our AANHPI neighbors continue to be targeted by systemic harm and ICE surveillance. We must show up for our community and protect each other because we are stronger together:
Everyone deserves access to mental health care. We know that people experiencing mental health conditions are disproportionately funneled into the criminal justice system rather than receiving the care they need. We are proud to help lead the shift away from criminalization and toward investments in community care across Oregon. Safety is built on access to low-barrier, supportive services, which is why we continue to advocate for sustained investments in treatment and supportive services instead of resorting to unnecessary incarceration.
Visit the Health Justice Recovery Alliance’s Legacy Website to learn about the advocacy work that funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into treatment and services in Oregon.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website for additional resources.
Your voice is powerful. The Statewide Primary Election is tomorrow, May 19!
State and county leaders recommend using an official ballot drop site, rather than sending the ballot by mail. To ensure your ballot is valid, it must be received at any Official Ballot Drop Site or County elections office by 8 PM tomorrow. Find an official Ballot Drop Box.
However, if you’re planning to mail your ballot, the Oregon Secretary of State recommends going up to the post office counter and asking for a hand postmark to make sure it gets stamped on time due to recent changes at the U.S. Postal Service.
If you already voted, track your ballot through Oregon’s My Vote website.
Solidarity at the Oregon State Capitol: PSJ staff stood in solidarity at PCUN’s International Workers’ Day and A Day Without an Immigrant rally in Salem, joining a global movement for dignity and justice.
The work to reduce incarceration and advocate for healing is inseparable from the fight for immigrant and workers’ rights. At a time when the future feels precarious, this gathering sent a clear message: we are far stronger together than we are apart.
These moments of collective joy remind us why we show up every day – to build an Oregon that protects everyone.
Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP) Virtual Gathering: Our policy team hosted a virtual session for JREP recipients across Oregon to strategize on organizing efforts and cultivate leadership for the next legislative session. Despite funding shortfalls, we’re uplifting each other and building solidarity around the shared goals of reducing incarceration and recidivism through culturally specific healing services.
Supporting Youth and Families: This past Saturday, we joined a powerful network of Portland providers at The Pathfinder Network’s Community Building & Resource Fair. We spent the day listening to the lived experiences of neighbors and service providers working to reduce the barriers faced by justice-impacted individuals, youth, and families.
