Outstanding Community Organization - APIFM

‍For over a decade API Forward Movement (APIFM) has advocated for the public health of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the San Gabriel Valley and across Los Angeles County. Their history of community work has included coordinating active living programs (e.g., hiking, biking, and running groups), developing a food hub to distribute fresh produce from Asian American and other farmers of color to corner stores in low income LA neighborhoods, supporting the implementation of Vision Zero in the City of Los Angeles, hosting a popular annual walking challenge, and leading air quality monitoring and education efforts with youth and residents of the cities of Monterey Park and Alhambra.

APIFM's air quality work is particularly relevant as the region has suffered from some of the worst air pollution in decades due to recent fires, impacting millions of residents of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. In addition to helping over 70 local residents install air quality monitors at their homes, the Clean Air SGV campaign is collaborating with UCI to study individual exposure to air pollution via the use of wearable/portable air sensors. In doing so APIFM is raising community understanding and awareness of a problem that will become worse if our region and state don't act to address it, and helping empower everyday residents to act individually and collectively to support clean air.

In 2017 the organization updated its vision and name, from APIOPA (Asian Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance) to APIFM to better reflect their long-standing commitment to cultivating healthy, long-lasting, and vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander communities through grassroots organizing.

​ActiveSGV's annual awards bash, Noche de las Luminarias, honors people making strides to realize a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. On 10/10/20 a special virtual edition of the annual party will celebrate 10 years of ActiveSGV.