Our Story

Catalyst Wellness Alliance started by faith, in response to the urgency of today’s situation with Asian American & Pacific Islanders’ mental health and wellness. We believe that Jesus came to give a life of abundance and flourishing, but this is sorely lacking among AAPI communities, especially in mental wellness.

Catalyst Wellness Alliance (CWA) seeks to empower AAPI thriving by hosting a community where pastors, clinicians, researchers, denominations, and nonprofits can share resources, learnings, and opportunities that benefit our work together for greater results.

It all started at an invitation-only national mental health summit hosted by the White House Initiative in July 2023, where Pastor Jin Lee from Atlanta and DJ Chuang from Orange County first met. We learned how much these three barriers prevented many among the AAPI population from mental health treatment: lack of accessibility, lack of affordability, lack of availability.

While there are good efforts underway by various nonprofits and professionals, it’s obviously not enough. Even though we’re seeing more awareness and openness about the struggles with loneliness, depression, and anxiety, the statistics show that the overall health of the AAPI population is not improving. For example,

• Asian American young adults are the only racial group with suicide as their leading cause of death. (CDC)
• Asian Americans are the least likely racial group to take actions on their mental health. (Mental Health America)

Also, Christians are not immune to emotional and mental struggles:

• 54% of practicing Christians say they have at least one emotional or mental health issue that impacts their relationships. (cf. Barna)
• “Individuals who are struggling with mental health are more likely to go to a clergy member before a mental health provider or physician.” (NIH)

CWA intends to facilitate a generous network where we share relationships and resources. As every member in the alliance will benefit in their respective fields, CWA will also assist AAPI faith communities to be a place of care and support, because churches gather the most number of AAPI people every week. By working better together, churches can complement the valuable services provided by clinicians, informed by evidence-based research, and outcomes resulting from collaborative projects and partnerships across the country.

We cannot do this work alone. We can help more people when we work better together. The time is now. Our work will succeed when we faithfully come together in unity, live wholeheartedly, and share generously.

CWA invites you to partner with us. Here are 3 ways to participate:

• Prayer Support go.catalystwa.org/subscribe
• Volunteer catalystwa.org/volunteer
• Donate catalystwa.org/give

Jin Lee is Founder of CWA and also Executive Director of Catalyst Coalition, a nonprofit that invests in students to excel in literacy, engage parents to be the first teachers, and support the family and its schools with community partners.

Jin has a passion for causes to help people by networking with people of different backgrounds to get things done. He has degrees from Trinity College (Youth Education), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Religious Education), and Golden Gate Theological Seminary (M.Div.)

DJ Chuang is Executive Director of CWA and also a freelance digital strategy consultant for several nonprofits. 

DJ loves to serve the church at large by engaging innovative breakthroughs for greater Kingdom impact. DJ authored the book, “MultiAsian.Church: A Future for Asian Americans in a Multiethnic World,” as well as edited 2 others: “Asian American Youth Ministry” and “CONVERSATIONS: Asian American Evangelical Theologies in Formation.” DJ has been resourcing and networking among Asian American Christians for over 25 years. He has degrees from Virginia Tech and Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.)

Mailing Address

Catalyst Wellness Alliance is located at the offices of Catalyst Coalition, 1854 Shackleford Court, Suite 300, Norcross, GA 30093. EIN 31-1795483.