About Us

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization offering a broad array of human services and behavioral health programs to Asian Pacific Americans in King County. ACRS is the largest multiservice organization serving all the different Asian Pacific American communities - immigrants, refugees and American born - in the Pacific Northwest.

ACRS was founded in 1973 out of a grassroots effort. During that time, Asian Pacific Americans were at risk of misdiagnosis and receiving inappropriate care from service providers unfamiliar with their culture and language. Today, ACRS provides a continuum of services for primarily low-income, immigrant, refugee, American-born Asians and Pacific Islanders through 13 programs:

Aging and Adult Services
Chemical Dependency Treatment
Children, Youth, and Families
Congregate Meals and Emergency Feeding
Consultation & Education
Domestic Violence Batterers Treatment
Food Bank
Information & Referral Services
Legal Clinic
Mental Health Services
Naturalization and Immigration Services
Problem Gambling Treatment
Vocational and Employment Services

The agency's largely bilingual, bicultural staff of 180 collectively speaks close to 30 languages and dialects. Caseworkers who speak the same language and come from the same culture assist more than 16,000 people annually, making clients' transitions easier and successful outcomes more likely.

ACRS Mission

To promote social justice and the wellbeing and empowerment of Asian Pacific American individuals, families and communities - including immigrants, refugees and native born - by developing, providing and advocating for innovative community-based multilingual and multicultural services.

Volunteer Opportunities

Give your time and expertise! ACRS invites individuals and groups to join in helping our community. Individuals with fluency in any Asian/Pacific Islander language or dialect are especially appreciated.

To volunteer contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@acrs.org or 206-695-7637.

Behavioral Health

Teach simple arts, crafts or music to clients at New Life, a day program for adults with mental illness.

Food Bank

Sort and distribute food.
Serve on advisory committee for Walk For Rice, ACRS' annual walk-a-thon and fun run.

Naturalization Services

Facilitate Talk Time, an informal session where clients practice English.
Teach or assist Citizenship Classes.
Conduct mock interviews with clients.
Assist clients with the citizenship application form (N-400).

Vocational Services

Tutor individual vocational ESL students.
Tutor students on computers.
Conduct mock job interviews.

Profile: Asian Counseling and Referral Service

ACRS Mission

Volunteer Opportunities