‘No longer invisible’: Voter information shared at Chinese association’s picnic in North Park

Along with English and Spanish, voter services in Pennsylvania now are available in Chinese.

“Many of our community members don’t know yet,” Stephanie Sun, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said. “So that’s why we’re here, to share more resources and information.”

She and others from her agency were in North Park on Aug. 14 for the Chinese Association for Science and Technology — Pittsburgh’s summer picnic, an event featuring fine food, energetic entertainment and some educational elements, to boot.

In recognition of the approximately 90,000 Pennsylvanians who are proficient in Chinese, a version of the written language has been added to services such as registering to vote, checking registration status, locating polling places, applying for a mail-in or absentee ballot, and checking Election Night returns.

“In the community, every time we tell people, everyone is so excited and so grateful,” Sun said. “Many people told us that they feel they’re no longer invisible. They feel the government sees them and respects them.”

As members of Pittsburgh’s Chinese community settled in at North Park’s Avalon Pavilion, Upper St. Clair resident Sing Zhang greeted them on behalf of the hosting organization, commonly called CAST-P.

“Our mission is to encourage technological development, scientific research and investment in cultural and educational outreach, in order to improve our community and society at large,” she said about the 28-year-old nonprofit.

Regarding the educational component, she volunteers for the group’s mentorship program for students who arrive from China.

“Also, when they graduate from school, we want to support them to be able to find their pathways to their professional development,” Zhang, admissions and recruitment manager at the University of Pittsburgh, said.

She regularly conducts virtual meetings to provide pointers on activities such as applying to colleges and, for those who have completed their degrees, information on extending their student visas through curricular practical training and optional practical training.

“International students, after they graduate, have a certain amount of time to legally stay in the United States and to be able to find job opportunities in order to support their legal status,” she said. “That’s very important, and it’s a little bit confusing, as well.”

Talking with her can help allay concerns.

“Sometimes they’re anxious about the waiting time because they don’t know what to expect next,” Zhang said. “So the support from the local community, I think that’s very valuable to the students and their families in China so that they know that they are not alone.”

Among the guests at the CAST-P picnic was Lavonnie Bickerstaff, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police assistant chief of investigations, who discussed the bureau holding a resource day with the organization.

“We can share food, activities and, of course, information,” she said. “We are planning to have this event sometime in October or November, so stay tuned for more information.”

Following lunch, entertainment was provided by the Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group, led by Xiaobo LaPresta of Wexford.

And all the while, Sun and her crew continued to let those in attendance know about what’s new in Pennsylvania.

“We want to make it easy and convenient for people to vote,” she said, “because every citizen deserves an equal right to vote without barriers.”