Asian Pacific Development Center

In the late 1970’s there was a surge of Southeast Asian immigrants who sought refuge in Colorado from their countries of origin. The needs of these individuals and families were clearly undeniable and important. A group of professionals consisting of social workers, attorneys, psychologists and psychiatrists who served this group of individuals and families recognized that it was time to take action on a larger scale and began to advocate for these communities. In 1980, the Asian Human Services Association and Park East Mental Health Center applied for funding through the U.S. Government Office of Refugee Resettlement to address the mental health needs of this community facing stress of cultural alienation and minimal resources. This funding was successfully obtained and services were provided in a unified vision. The 501-(c)3 non-profit organization soon learned the broad array of needs and diversity that existed in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and began to diversify it’s services. In 1987, the State Division of Mental Health floated a bond that allowed APDC to purchase a building (1825 York Street). The needs of these communities stretched beyond the scope of mental health services, so the Asian/ Pacific Center for Human Development was formed. Asian American Foundation of Colorado was created to raise funding to support the wide variety of health and mental health services that the parent agency APDC provides today.