Madison,
02
May
2022
|
16:36 PM
America/Chicago

American Family’s DreamBank hosts free events for AAPI Heritage Month

Free, virtual events celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander heritage

Summary

In May, American Family DreamBank hosts a variety of free, public events in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and also holds events for Mental Health Awareness Month. 

During the month of May, we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander heritage to recognize their contributions, achievements and influence on our history and culture. The American Family DreamBank will host a variety of free, public events in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The month of May was originally chosen by the United States Congress to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Many of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. The commemoration was originally a weeklong celebration, but in 1990 Congress expanded the observance to a month. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent: East, Southeast and South Asia, the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Events at American Family Insurance DreamBank
The American Family Insurance DreamBank is hosting events during May which will celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. DreamBank is committed to breaking down barriers by bringing forth conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging while amplifying speakers who represent the many dimensions of their community of dreamers. The events are free, virtual and open to the public.

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, DreamBank is a community destination and virtual experience focused on inspiring people to dream fearlessly and build a brighter future. Visit their website for more information and other public events. Register and learn more below:

FITNESS: Meditation Made Easy  
Monday, May 2, Noon-12:45 pm CT  
Join us for a midday meditation practice! In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join meditation instructors, Scott Anderson and Kasumi Kato, as they share the scientific benefits of this grounding, restorative practice and how to implement it into your life. They’ll end by guiding us through a simple, yet impactful, meditation together. Leave this event having experienced the beauty and benefit of meditation for yourself, along with a deeper appreciation for Asian American Pacific Islander tradition and culture. Register here.

FAMILY: Asian Elephants Sanctuary Field Trip  
Tuesday, May 17, 6-7 pm CT  
Join us in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month as we take a virtual journey to Thailand! In this online field trip, we’ll explore the Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for injured and mistreated elephants with Learn Around the World, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that specializes in guided, virtual experiences for K-12 classrooms and adults. We’ll learn all about Asian elephants: the threats they face, how to help them thrive and the tourism industry that benefits from them. Your whole family will leave mesmerized by the beauty of these magnificent animals and filled with a deeper appreciation for our beautiful world. Register here .

SPECIAL EVENT: Virtual Cook-Along with Celebrity Chef Martin Yan
Thursday, May 26, 4-5 pm CT
Mix up your typical dinner routine with a virtual cooking class alongside Master Chef Martin Yan, renowned food consultant, award-winning author and cultural ambassador with over 30 years of experience hosting 3,500 cooking shows on public television! In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Chef Yan will share his cooking tips and tricks as he prepares a quick and easy Asian-inspired stir fry and delicious vegetable dumplings.

Cook along with Chef Yan as he illustrates the importance of food in Asian culture and the rich traditions that carry on from generation to generation! You’ll receive a virtual recipe card to enjoy this meal during the event and for dinners to come. Register here

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month
During the month of May, we also observe Mental Health Awareness Month. The month began in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health America (MHA), an organization dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health. Today, many people around the world celebrate the month to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues so many people experience. American Family Insurance DreamBank will host a free, public event to conclude the month. Learn more and register below.

Mindfulness: The Key to Dreaming Big
Thursday, May 19, Noon-12:30 pm CT
We often spend much of our lives on autopilot, worrying about the future and ruminating on the past. Many moments in our lives can get lost, and we become disconnected from the fullness of who we are and the beauty of our dreams. Join Dr. Shilagh Mirgain for an experiential discussion that will focus on simple and practical ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. We’ll explore various pathways of dropping into the present moment so you can approach and embrace life with your whole mind, body and soul. Leave this inspiring conversation capable of traveling the mindful road to become a believer, seeker and achiever of dreams. Register here.

Reprogram Your Brain: Building Resilience from Life’s Challenges
Tuesday, May 31, Noon-1 pm CT
Help us conclude Mental Health Awareness Month with Mental Wellness Coach and Founder of Resilient Wellness Coaching, Callie Strouf, MSW, and learn how she has implemented mental reprogramming tools to help herself and others overcome trauma, loss and chronic pain. Explore ways to combat feelings of weakness or shame when crises arrive, in addition to how to shift your perception to understand how these feelings are caused by programming in our brains and how we have the power to change it. Callie will share coaching tools to teach you how to develop resiliency, embrace your discomfort zone and forge your own path to wellness. Register here .

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About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 232 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The GeneralHomesite and Main Street America. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.

About DreamBank
At American Family, we believe communities are stronger and the future is brighter when people are actively pursuing their dreams. That’s why we created DreamBank — an inspirational community destination and virtual experience, dedicated to dreamers everywhere. Dreams take hard work and heart, and they thrive with connection and support. From our daily event series to immersive signature programs, we’ve cultivated a community of dreamers to celebrate the journey, overcome obstacles and stay motivated. DreamBank is designed for noble dreamers like you – who believe and achieve.