The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA), in conjunction with the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) has initiated the Asian American Substance Abuse Intervention Initiative (AASAII). The primary objective of AASAII is to increase access to culturally and linguistically appropriate screening and treatment services for substance abuse among the Chicago Asian American communities. FACHIC is one of over 10 community organization partners that are screening Asian Americans for substance abuse from April to June 2009.

Rowena Luna, RN, as the FACHIC Community Health Worker, has brought FACHIC substance abuse screening and referral services in the Filipino community. At the end of the program funding period, FACHIC screened 60 Filipino community members of a wide age range and referred two clients for free substance abuse treatment.

On March 28, 2009, FACHIC was one of the contributing organizations who participated in “A Day of Giving Thanks” at the Jose Rizal Center to mark the authorization of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. This fund recognizes the services of Filipino WWII veterans, most of whom are in their 80s or older, with a one time monetary benefit. FACHIC has been available to assist veterans in submitting the application to the Veterans Administration. The application deadline expires in February 2010. FACHIC will continue with advocacy and follow up until the benefits are received.

In addition to providing outreach and support to the veterans, FACHIC will also work to offer similar services to other seniors in the community by providing information and assistance and assessing and addressing their needs with the goal of improving their quality of life and sense of well-being.

FACHIC participated in the Passport to the Philippines (P2P) at the Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) on June 14, 2009. The CCM’s “Passport to the World” series showcases the arts and traditions of Chicago’s many ethnic groups to provide opportunities for museum visitors to better understand Chicago’s unique multicultural community.

The P2P event ran: Thursday, June 11, 2009 5:30pm - 8:00pm; Saturday, June 13, 2009 12:00pm - 3:30pm; Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:00pm - 3:30pm.

In order to promote lifelong physical activity, FACHIC sponsored an event on Sunday June 14 from 2:45-3:15pm. FACHIC volunteers taught traditional Filipino games in order to provide healthy activities for children as well as promoting Filipino culture. the games included: patintero (a team game where there are boundaries in which one team must run and maneuver another team in order to get to the other side) and tumbang preso/fallen fortress (one person will be “IT” and protect the fortress ‘the tin can’, while the other kids use their coordination skills to try and hit the fortress with flipflops). These games enable children to be more physically active versus the typical sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games.

FACHIC along with the Filipino American Network of Chicago (FAN) and Believe International hosted a free Filipino American Mixer at Moonshine located in Chicago's trendy Wicker Park on May 14, 2009 as part of Asian Pacific Heritage month.

Attendees had a chance to mix and mingle and reconnect with Filipino American organizations in the community. Complimentary appetizers were provided by FAN. Raffle prizes were given out including restaurant gift certificates, gift cards and a traditional heart healthy Filipino cookbook.