Two-Part Virtual Training Series to Volunteer: Protecting Ourselves & Our Communities in NYC

Two-part training series to learn about community safety strategies and serve as a Community Companion in Asian neighborhoods in NYC

Join us to learn more about the Asian American Federation’s Community Safety program in NYC. By participating in both trainings, you are eligible to serve as a volunteer Community Companion or Community Ambassador to keep our elders and other community members safe

Note: This training series requires participation in both sessions since the trainings build on each other. By completing both trainings, participants are eligible to serve as a Community Companion in AAF’s Community Safety Program in Sunset Park, Brooklyn; Chinatown, Manhattan; and Flushing, Queens.

Training #1: Community Mapping & Assessing Threat

Date: May 17, & June 14 - 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET

Participants will learn about a proactive approach to community safety and protection using a threat assessment framework. We will discuss nonviolence, informed consent, and right relationship as guidelines to inform our work. We will also look at how we can understand our collective vulnerabilities and capacities, and generate creative ways in which communities can show up for each other by using the tools of community mapping and risk formula.

Participants will be guided through interactive activities, including creating a threat assessment unique to their own experience. Participants will walk away feeling equipped to prepare and advocate for the unique needs of their community.

Training #2: De-escalation and Situational Awareness

Date: May 26, June 23 - 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET

Participants will be introduced to the practice of everyday mindfulness and how to use these strengths and practices for the purposes of personal and community safety. This training will build on a holistic safety and security framework to look at the window of tolerance; trigger points and anchor points; the OODA Loop; somatic scanning; and holistic check-in.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the world affects them, their instinctual responses to the world, and how to stay grounded and respond safely in uncertain situations.

Live Captioning will be provided during all our virtual trainings. These trainings will be facilitated in English.

De-escalation and Situational Awareness
Virtual Safety Workshop Dates and Times:
May 17th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
May 26th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
June 14th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
June 23rd, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
July 19th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
July 28th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
August 16th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
August 25th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
September 13th, 6:30 - 8 pm ET
September 22nd, 6:30 - 8 pm ET

Intended Audience: Asian and Non-Asian community members seeking Upstander Intervention tools to disrupt violence when it arises.

Participant Note: This is a training on RESPONSIVE skill building. The objective is to share skills and tactics to prepare for and directly disrupt violence or harm.

Participants will be provided with tools to de-escalate a situation where there is a likely threat, and to strengthen their Situational Awareness. We will cover:

1. Identifying your personal survival responses to dangerous situations.
2. Learning about your Trigger Points and Anchor Points which may inform how you respond to danger.
3. Introducing the OODA Loop; a crisis decision making tool and cognitive short cut you can use in a potentially threatening situation.
4. Verbal and Physical De-escalation good practices and tactics to support survivors as a Upstander.

Participants are asked to have a pen and paper, a note taking app, or a designated note taker available prior to the training.