Empowering Communities in the San Gabriel Valley

The San Gabriel Valley, home to Southern California Edison’s headquarters, is the heart of a thriving Asian American enclave that dates to the 1970s. Dubbed “the first suburban Chinatown,” the valley is buzzing with culture and is home to one of the country’s largest Asian American communities.

The Asian Youth Center, a nonprofit, was established in the San Gabriel Valley in the late 1980s and aims to empower those communities. Focusing on low-income, immigrant and at-risk youth, the organization provides resources to help participants succeed in school, work and life.

"Fostering thriving communities is really at the heart of what AYC does. We help the community thrive, and SCE’s support helps us do that,” said Elizabeth Yang, AYC vice president, noting that they reach over 100,000 community members annually.

AYC was presented with this year’s Community Partnership Award at SCE’s first in-person Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration since 2019. This year's theme was “Fostering Thriving Communities.”

Edison International has contributed more than $100,000 in grants to AYC over the last 10 years for its programs, including its emergency food program. Their Stop Hate Project promotes diversity, inclusion and building solidarity with a goal to achieve zero hate in the community. AYC also provides after school programs to help students with supplemental English, homework and mentoring.

“Each of us has our own idea of a thriving community; I picture one that is economically, environmentally and socially equitable for all,” said Caroline Choi, Edison International and SCE senior vice president of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, who presented the award to AYC.

Other honorees included Chinese American Construction Professionals, which received the Gwen Moore Diversity Award for its commitment to empowering construction professionals, and Karma Automotive, which was recognized as this year’s Clean Energy Champion.