United Peace Collaborative

When the pandemic happened, Leanna and Robert noticed the Chinatown community struggling. Small businesses were already grappling with economic struggles, but to add to it the increase in crime and vandalism in their community was too much to bear. They saw that the elderly were being increasingly attacked. At first, they just thought it was their civic duty to just help out. Do a simple patrol to just be a watchful eye. But, the patrols became more frequent, more people became involved as news spread, and as they monitored they saw additional needs as they walked the streets of Chinatown. This led to a graffiti removal program, a safety education program for the elderly, rallies to fight against injustices to the Asian community. UPC became the people with the “Blue Shirts” that the Chinatown community sees as a safe haven. One simple civic duty has led to an organization that envisions a better future for our Asian community and be the voice for the victims that feel they have no voice.