AIISF Newsletter / April 2023
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
It’s said that April showers bring May flowers. Given that recent weather has caused some landslides and downed trees on Angel Island, let’s hope the weather is a bit more gentle this month.
We’re also hoping that there is no rain forecasted for our 40th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 29th. We’ve had to make a few changes to our original plans. The evening will kick off with dinner at the Franciscan Restaurant at Pier 43½. Guests will then board a chartered ferry for a rare evening on Angel Island. Upon arriving on the island, we’ll present this year’s Immigrant Heritage Awards and then shuttle folks to the immigration station for a dessert reception and self-guided tours. Please note that we only have about 60 tickets left for this event, so if you would like to join us, please visit www.aiisf.org/gala2023 and reserve your spot soon!
Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Sacramento along with Angel Island State Park’s Casey Dexter-Lee, Michael Garavaglia, and his team at Garavaglia Architecture. We were there to receive the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for the work conducted to renovate and reimagine the former hospital building. You can listen to my remarks here.
The following day, I traveled to Los Angeles for the Organization of American Historians conference. AIISF program manager Danielle and I accepted their Friend of History Award from OAH President Erika Lee. While Erika and I have connected multiple times over the past 3 years via Zoom, it was such a pleasure to finally meet her in person. As many of you know, she literally wrote the book on Angel Island’s history along with the late Judy Yung, and she continues to be an ardent champion for Angel Island and broader immigration history.
Finally, I would like to strongly encourage you to take advantage of our free Immigrant Voices Live storytelling training taking place on Sunday, April 16. We’re working with two amazing storytelling trainers – including someone who previously worked with The Moth. At AIISF, we believe that it is incredibly meaningful and impactful when we use our own voices to tell our own (or our family’s stories). Your story does not have to have a direct connection to Angel Island in order to participate in the training, but we are looking for individuals who identify as immigrants or having immigrant heritage.
Stay safe and dry, and we hope to see you out on Angel Island!
With gratitude,
Edward Tepporn
AIISF Executive Director
40th Anniversary Gala & Immigrant Heritage Awards
Saturday, April 29, 2023 | 4:30 pm to 10 pm
Hosted on Angel Island
We’re excited to invite you to a very special after-hours event on Angel Island! This is a rare opportunity to see the buildings illuminated under the evening sky while also supporting AIISF.
This year’s benefit event will include…
An evening cruise from San Francisco to Angel Island.
Dinner al fresco.
Dessert reception at the Immigration Station.
A night cruise back to San Francisco under the stars.
AIISF is looking for volunteers to assist us with our Gala!
Volunteers are needed to help with the following positions:
Set up and site prep on Angel Island. (9:25 am -2:50 pm) 8 volunteers are needed to help dust, sweep, weed, and set up tables and chairs. AIISF will provide a roundtrip ferry ticket from SF Ferry Building, ground shuttle, light lunch, and parking reimbursement up to $25.
Dinner registration and check-in in San Francisco. (3 pm to 7 pm) 8 volunteers are needed to help check in guests for dinner and ferry. AIISF will provide light dinner and parking reimbursement up to $25.
Onsite volunteers on Angel Island. (5:30 pm to 10:30 pm) 10 volunteers are needed to help with greeting, bussing tables, and staffing dessert tables. AIISF will provide a light dinner, a roundtrip ferry from Pier 43 ½, ground shuttle, and parking reimbursement up to $25.
Please contact info@aiisf.org if you or your group are interested in helping out.
This Year's Immigrant Heritage Awards Recipients
Celine Gounder, physician and journalist, Kaiser Family Foundation
Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary for Access, CA Natural Resources Agency
Stop AAPI Hate, nonprofit coalition
Events from AIISF
Immigrant Voices LIVE! Free Storyshare Training
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Join AIISF as well as best-in-class story coaches Dawn and Noilyn to help you find, shape, and rehearse a story. Together we can create a sense of belonging and community through our shared voices and humanity.
You may want to preserve your story for your kids and grandkids. You may be motivated to create a polished and concise story to fight for immigrant rights. Perhaps you are looking for a moment of connection with others who may have experiences like yours. For these reasons and more, join us at the Angel Island Immigration Station for a free one-day workshop on Sunday, April 16th.
After this workshop, there will be an opportunity to share your stories in person and/or virtually. Transportation to Angel Island, lunch, and a tour of the Immigration Station will be included in the event.
Immigrant Voices LIVE!
Saturday, April 22, 2023
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Detention Barrack Museum (Angel Island)
The event is free to attend. Barracks admission is required.
Join us to hear stories about finding a sense of place and belonging (or not) in a home.
Community members will share 3-5 minute stories from their personal experiences in a space where immigrants of the past carved their experiences into the walls. Join us to make past-to-present connections between immigration, community, and resilience.