The Ethnic Support Council is a Longview, Washington immigrant assistance and civil rights group. In April 2021, the group received a grant from All In Washington, a statewide COVID-19 relief effort, to promote the COVID-19 vaccine among racial minorities and illegal immigrants. 1
In June 2022, the group hosted its annual International Festival, during which it held performances and sold items to show support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. 2
Background
A group of mostly Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrants founded the Ethnic Support Council in 1989 to assist Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees with education, social services, and employment. The group began under the umbrella of the Lower Columbia CAP and was also known as Ethnic Community Services. The group renamed itself Ethnic Support Council to eliminate confusion over its name and became an independent organization in 1993. 3
Services Provided
The Ethnic Support Council provides interpreters and English translation services for medical, legal, and personal appointments. The group provides COVID-19 vaccination and education services. The group promotes public health information and encourages its clients to seek medical assistance without fear of deportation. The group also provides resources such as housing, education, food, employment, and legal assistance. The group does community outreach to encourage the population to embrace diversity in schools, businesses, agencies, and groups. 4
Combatting Racism
In 2007, the Ethnic Support Council worked with churches and individuals to organize a diversity rally in Longview, Washington to oppose a meeting by the Church of Jesus Christ-Christian, a sect which had ties to the Aryan Nations and other neo-Nazi groups. Approximately 500 people attended the counter-rally and it dissuaded the sect from establishing a regular church in the area. 3
In other instances, the group helped organize drives to paint over racist graffiti illegally painted on public and private property. 3
COVID-19 Vaccine Grant
In April 2021, the Ethnic Support Council received a grant from All In Washington, which was a coordinated COVID-19 relief program operated by a coalition of public officials and private for-profit and nonprofit groups, to promote the COVID-19 vaccine to racial minorities and immigrants. The group used the $50,000 grant to hire people who are bilingual, speaking English and Spanish or Chuukese (a language spoken in the Pacific island nation of Micronesia). The group also used the grant to dispel concerns about people not being able to get the vaccine because they were illegal immigrants or did not have insurance. The group reassured illegal immigrants and those without health insurance that the vaccine was free and available to all. 1
2022 International Festival
In June 2022, the Ethnic Support Council hosted its 30th annual International Festival. The International Festival was not held in either 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group hosted COVID-19 vaccinations at the event. The festival featured multicultural performances, ethnic food booths, vendors, information tables and a fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees. The group included three performances highlighting Ukrainian songs and dance to show its support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The group sold pro-Ukraine stickers and signs with proceeds used to benefit Ukrainian refugees in Cowlitz County. 2
Housing Ukrainian Refugees
By December 2022, members of the Ethnic Support Council housed Ukrainian refugees who came to Washington state. 5
2023 International Festival
In June 2023, the Ethnic Support Council hosted its annual International Festival. At the event, the Northwest Justice Project hosted a free legal clinic on housing, family and general civil law issues. 6
Leadership
The Ethnic Support Council’s executive director is James Hill. 7
The group’s president is Cindy Lopez Werth. 7 She is employed by the city of Longview. 8
Finances
According to the Ethnic Support Council’s 2022 tax return, the group had $339,890 in revenue, $200,777 in expenses, and $330,788 in assets. 9
References
- Fairbanks, Katie. “Cowlitz County Health Officials, Organizations Working to Address Racial Gap in Covid Vaccinations.” Longview Daily News, June 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220321001128/https://tdn.com/news/local/health/cowlitz-county-health-officials-organizations-working-to-address-racial-gap-in-covid-vaccinations/article_632dbde8-fd07-593e-a578-00b8ad6fc8aa.html
- Fairbanks, Katie. “Ethnic Support Council Hosts International Festival in Longview Saturday.” Longview Daily News, May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20231111015055/https://tdn.com/news/local/ethnic-support-council-hosts-international-festival-in-longview-saturday/article_07a5c46c-e111-11ec-a932-77c7c1381d6e.html.
- “Ethnic Support Council: Helping People Understand Each Other.” Lower Columbia College, October 13, 2011. https://services4.lowercolumbia.edu/info/webResources2/ArtsAndEntertainment/Conversations/PPT/2010-01-07-StimulusPackageJFranz.pdf.
- “Services.” Ethnic Support Council. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.ethnicsupportcouncil.com/services/.
- Kauffman, Brennen. “Ukrainian Refugees Find a Temporary Home in Cowlitz County.” Longview Daily News, December 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20230315230638/https://tdn.com/news/local/ukrainian-refugees-find-a-temporary-home-in-cowlitz-county/article_77d41dd6-7678-11ed-9874-f3930113a3f9.html.
- “Free International Festival Returns to Longview Saturday.” Longview Daily News, June 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230607171250/https://tdn.com/news/local/free-international-festival-returns-to-longview-saturday/article_1819df9a-fffb-11ed-99c0-efc7275a1cf4.html
- “About Us.” Ethnic Support Council. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.ethnicsupportcouncil.com/about-us/.
- Cindy Lopez Werth – Community Service officer – city of longview washington | LinkedIn. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-lopez-werth-245039125.
- “Ethnic Support Council, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911591153/202332269349300898/full.