Mission

The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization offering human services and behavioral health programs to Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) in King County, Washington. ACORN was funded to develop culturally competent and linguistically accessible peer recovery support services for members of its target population who encounter system, language, and cultural barriers in their paths to recovery.

Asian Pacific American-Focused Recovery Resource Center

ACORN’s resource center gives members of the APA recovery community a place to meet in an atmosphere of mutual support with others who have similar addiction, recovery, and cultural backgrounds. An array of recovery support services has been developed, including: daily sober support groups in Asian languages, monthly family-children support groups, a group for Mien seniors with opiate-use disorders, vocational ESL classes, acupuncture services, art class, computer class, game nights, and many cultural celebration events facilitated by peer helpers. ACORN also has developed a resource center with a library containing culturally relevant recovery information; Asian books, tapes and videos; and a computer lab.

Culturally Relevant Support Groups

Members of ACORN’s target groups come from cultures that value communication that takes place through sensing and insight gained through silence rather than verbal interaction. Therefore, new approaches to recovery support groups have been necessary. ACORN has created culturally appropriate recovery support programs that are adapted from 12-Step approaches and/or incorporate meditation and Buddhist chanting practices. Recovery support meetings in 10 language-based groups meet 6 days a week, led by peer helpers.

Bilingual Peer Helpers

Asian-language speaking bilingual peer helpers provide a variety of peer services including: information and assistance, referrals and linkages to services, volunteering with recovery support groups, maintaining the ACORN Center, and recovery coaching. Peer helpers and volunteers also assist peer service recipients with such tasks as calling probation officers, providing interpretation for interviews in the welfare office, accompanying peers to Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) appointments, getting food stamps, talking about struggles with life and addiction, or just laughing together. ACORN’s peer helpers have emerged as powerful and inspirational role models, as brotherly mentors, and as coaches for others in recovery.

Community Education and Outreach

Community education and outreach activities, often held in conjunction with cultural events, festivals, and conferences, have been important in introducing recovery concepts to people whose cultures and languages do not include western concepts of substance use disorders or recovery.

ACORN has recently started peer outreach by offering a daily lunch, with food from ACRS’s food bank, to the neediest members of their community, who are usually homeless. The lunch program offers the opportunity to get connected with others who have successfully made the recovery journey.