Frequently Asked Questions
What is SIPA?
SIPA is a nonprofit organization located in Historic Filipinotown that offers a wide array of supportive services including youth programs, mental health, health and wellness, and affordable housing.
What does SIPA stand for?
SIPA stands for Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.
Why does SIPA use the term "Filipino"?
Filipino is used throughout our work to refer to Pilipino, Filipinx, Filipina, Pinxy, Pinay, Pinoy, Filipinx/a/o American and descendants of the Philippines and people of the Filipino diaspora in the United States. It is meant to be inclusive of the expansiveness of all genders, migration and immigrant experiences, languages, generations and multi-ethnic/racial identities.
Does SIPA only serve Filipinos?
No. While our organization was founded by concerned Filipino community leaders that wanted to ensure that the Filipino-American and immigrant population had a safe space to access resources and support, SIPA recognizes that HiFi is now home to not only Filipinos and continues to make an active effort to expand its capacities in language and outreach to ensure all those that walk through our doors can access resources.
What are SIPA's pillars of work?
SIPA prides itself on it's vast offerings of services to the community. These pillars include Youth Programs, Mental Health, Health and Wellness, and Affordable Housing. Within each pillar, are even more services and activities to meet the needs of our community!
What activities and services are offered by SIPA's Youth Programs?
Our Youth Programs department provides educational development, leadership opportunities, and cultural enrichment for all ages. This includes afterschool programming wherein which K-12 youth are provided a safe space to engage in community building, enrichment and cultural exploration. Additionally, SIPA facilitates a Youth Leaders Internship for advocacy-minded, college-aged students to support their development as this generation's leaders to end anti-Asian hate and racialized violence. SIPA also works with local high schools through its Rising Above Shame/ Walang Hiya program, a 10-week on-campus program to support the mental health of teens of color. Lastly, since we are an organization that started from the enterprising energy of young Filipinos and Filipino Americans, SIPA's Filipino Summer Program teaches the next generation about the grand tapestry that is Filipino history, language, food, and the arts alongside local external partners.
What Mental Health Services are available through SIPA?
SIPA believes in culturally competent and fully accessible mental health services: from direct services like our free, one-to-one counseling with licensed therapists; to our subject-specific support groups offered throughout the year. Our mental health team also provides customized workshops, trainings, and psychoeducational presentations (both in-person and virtual) to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and multilingual clients.
What health and wellness resources can I gain through SIPA?
We recognize that public health is a huge prioirity for our neighborhood, so SIPA's Health and Wellness team conducts community research to find the most relevant educational workshops and clinics to offer Historic Filipinotown residents. This includes partnering with local organizations and agencies that provide free legal aid services, medical care, and affordable housing referrals. Also, our Health and Wellness team organizes monthly food distribution events localized in HiFi to provide fresh produce and free groceries.
Are SIPA's services free?
SIPA's goal as a non-profit organization is to pursue and secure free programming to our HiFi community. Our programs are made possible by personal contributions and applicable grants that ensure no or low cost to all our clients!
Do you take walk-ins?
Yes. Our drop-in referral hours are from 10 AM-2 PM Monday through Thursday at our main base of operations, HiFi Collective (3200 W Temple St, 90026). During those hours, we are happy to talk to prospective clients and community members about our many programs and events! You can also visit bit.ly/helloSIPA to inquire about our services virtually.
Does SIPA own affordable housing?
Yes. SIPA is part of the ownership of three affordable housing properties: El Centro Loretto Apartments, Normandie Village Apartments and HiFi Collective. SIPA provides supportive services to residents of affordable housing communities as well. For more information on SIPA's affordable housing portfolio, visit www.sipacares.org/affordable-housing.
Does SIPA determine who gets to live in the affordable housing?
No. SIPA does not conduct lease up or the selection of residents for its housing. Each property has its own process for leasing the units of the respective property. For more information, visit www.sipacares.org/affordable-housing.
How do I apply for SIPA's affordable housing?
Each property has its own process for leasing the units of the respective property. For more information, visit www.sipacares.org/affordable-housing.
Does SIPA still offer Small Business Assistance?
SIPA has paused its Small Business Counseling program as we develop our 3-year strategic plan. API Small Business Collaborative continues to carry the important work of supporting AAPI- and women-owned small businesses throughout Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.apisbp.org or call 213.473.1605 or email smallbiz@apisbp.org.
Who is responsible for SIPA's decision-making?
SIPA is governed by its Board of Directors, comprised of passionate and talented community leaders reflective of the community SIPA serves and representing diverse sectors and professions. SIPA's leadership team is led by the Executive Director, along with the Senior Program Director, Director of Operations and Development Director. For more on SIPA's board of directors, visit www.sipacares.org/board. For more on SIPA's committed and hardworking staff, visit www.sipacares.org/staff
How big is SIPA's team?
Since 2020, SIPA's growth as an organization has been exponential. Amidst a global pandemic, our team of six individuals has expanded to over twenty staff members spread across three major pillars of work. We hope to sustain and foster more strength in our numbers as we continue our mission.