A History of Caring
A Union of Leaders
In 1974, UPAC's Founding Executive Director, Beverly Yip, and the leaders of six Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities (Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Samoan and Guamanian) united and pioneered the way for UPAC's initial $36,000 city grant for a cultural adjustment and language assistance program to access community services. At that time, no single Asian group was large enough or vocal enough to pursue the basic services desperately needed by its impoverished, ill, elderly and limited English speaking members. As the refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia began arriving in San Diego with multiple health, behavioral health, educational and housing needs, UPAC developed culturally and linguistically appropriate programs to address their special needs and emerged as the only bilingual, bicultural, multiservice agency for San Diego's Asian populations. For 16 years executive director Beverly Yip provided unwavering commitment and leadership.
In 1989, Margaret Iwanaga-Penrose joined UPAC and assured the continuity of legacy of excellence and leadership, for the past 20 years. In 2009, UPAC celebrates its 35 years of Excellence in Service to San Diego's culturally and linguistically diverse communities through:
- Vision: Uniting diverse cultures and generations for the good of all communities
- Courage: Identifying critical health, social and economic challenges and having the courage to see changes to their conclusion
- Compassion: Providing essential human care services for those most in need.