The world would be a pretty dull place if we were all alike, if we all did the same things and if we all thought the same way.

Lancaster Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Lancaster AAPI) promotes diversity and celebrates all the things that make us different. But the social group also salutes the things we have in common.

In the process of acceptance, understanding and familiarity are essential early steps.

"That's what it's all about, finding people with whom we have things in common," said Cindy Lam Guo, president and one of the founding members of Lancaster AAPI. "If you don't have that sense of belonging, it's not home. I don't want my kids to feel like they're different. That sense of connection is what Lancaster AAPI is all about."

Lancaster AAPI is civically minded and advocates for inclusivity, but the group does not conduct regular formal meetings in an office or a brick-and-mortar building. Instead, the organization hosts four seasonal potluck meals each year - "breaking rice together" - and partners with similar nonprofits to advocate for the group's interests through a handful of events held in various locations around Lancaster County, including Manheim Township and the city of Lancaster.

On Feb. 2, more than 3,000 individuals attended Lancaster AAPI's Lunar New Year celebration at Ewell Plaza and Binns Park in the city.

Lancaster AAPI also sponsors a scholarship program as part of its youth outreach initiative.

"Part of us is a social group, but we do advocate for our community," said Lam Guo, a resident of Manheim Township. "If there's something we want to advocate for, we show up. But we never push anything on people. Within the Asian community, there are also different people."

"It's really a safe space," she continued. "Our mission is to celebrate, connect, bring us together and let people know we have a voice. We want to educate people and let people know who we are. It's fun for us to all come together. But at the end of the day, we're a minority group."

Through steady growth since its founding, Lancaster AAPI's membership now numbers 300 Lancaster County residents. Many of the members are second- or third-generation citizens who live in Lancaster County communities like the city and Manheim Township.

"In the Asian culture, there are a lot of traditions we value," said Lam Guo. "We come from immigrant families. Our grandparents worked hard and tried to pave a way for us. We take part of that and try to make a way for future generations. We try to piece two worlds together. I think the biggest difference (between the two worlds) is that we don't take a lot of things for granted. Things weren't given to our grandparents. They came here with nothing. We recognize how hard we have to work for the things we get because we saw how hard they had to work. That's what binds us."

It is estimated that the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in Lancaster County currently numbers more than 14,000 residents, or about 2.6% of the locale's total population.

"On every corner and on every block and at every traffic light across Lancaster County, there is an Asian-owned business," said Lam Guo. "Some people aren't as open-minded because it's unfamiliar. But the Asian American community will continue to drive commerce in the county. There have been so many other contributions made. If you never take the time to learn about it, you'll never know what's beautiful about it. If (people) can understand it, there will be more appreciation for it. We need to start developing appreciations for other cultures, and not just the Asian culture."

Lancaster AAPI was established in 2023.

"COVID was a really tough time for a lot of Asian Americans, and (Lancaster AAPI) was a safe space to come together," said Lam Guo. "If we're all separated, how do people know we have a voice? It has grown so much. Every single time we get together, it feels like there's new people. When they join Lancaster AAPI, it feels like they're home again."

"We are here, and we are building a community," Lam Guo continued. "We've extended our arms to welcome other communities, and we hope everyone will welcome us because this is our home as well. We hope everyone will take the time to see us, hear us and value us."

For additional information, go to http://www.lancasteraapi.com.