A Ten-Year Promise 十年之約

In 2016, I received a phone call from a stranger.

The woman on the other end introduced herself as Nancy Eng, a Cambodian-Chinese woman in Los Angeles and the Vice President of NAMI San Gabriel Valley. That year, I had received the NAMI National Multicultural Outreach Award, and she reached out to invite me—as an out-of-state trainer—to Los Angeles to train local support group leaders. She said she hoped we could meet soon.

Two days later, she arrived, travel-worn.

That day, we connected instantly and spoke for six hours straight. During that conversation, I learned that Nancy was the sister of Jazmyne Ha Eng—the young woman with schizophrenia who was tragically and mistakenly killed by four police officers in 2012 at the Rosemead Asian Pacific Family Center. That case deeply shook the community.

In the years that followed, Nancy tirelessly advocated for her sister—seeking justice, calling for accountability, and pushing for improved law enforcement training in responding to mental illness. She led with both heart and action, contributing her time, energy, and resources. Her perseverance and sense of responsibility earned my deepest respect.

Yet in 2016, after hearing her vision for building support groups, I did not immediately say yes. I told her, “Planting a seed is not enough—we also need sunlight, soil, water, and nutrients. Only when the conditions are ready can something truly grow.” She paused for a long time, then nodded.

Over the next ten years, sometimes I traveled to Southern California, sometimes she came north. We met, we called, we planned—but reality often interrupted. Progress came slowly, and plans did not always unfold as hoped.

Until 2026.

I traveled to Los Angeles as planned and trained seven support group facilitators. Back in Northern California, I waited quietly and held hope. Then one day, I received the mutual support group flyer from program coordinator Mary. At that moment, an indescribable joy filled my heart.

Because I knew that behind that flyer were years of dedication from Nancy and her team, the quiet contributions of many, and a promise we made to each other long ago—now finally taking root.