Michigan Moai
About Michigan Moai

A circle of care, built for our communities.

We're a community nonprofit working to make culturally fluent mental health and legal support reachable for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Michigan and across PSYPACT states.

Our mission

Care that doesn't ask you to explain yourself first.

Michigan Moai exists because too many AANHPI individuals in Michigan still face the same three barriers when looking for mental health care: language, cultural understanding, and trust.

We identify therapists across Michigan and PSYPACT states who speak AANHPI languages and have experience supporting trauma survivors, immigrants, and refugees. Through our directories and community partnerships, we connect individuals to the right care — and we keep the path short, free, and human.

Trauma-informed Bilingual Free to use Nonprofit since 2023
The name

What is a moai?

Moai (模合) is a Japanese concept for a lifelong circle of mutual support — a small group that meets for a common purpose, offering each other care, financial help, and a strong sense of belonging across a lifetime.

Traditional moai are quiet, durable, and chosen. They're a safety net you build over years. We chose the name because that's the kind of care infrastructure we want for our communities — not a one-time service, but a steady network of people who show up.

The team

Built by students, for the community.

Two students, one mission: make the path to culturally fluent care shorter for everyone after us.

Portrait of Elizabeth Amata
Founder

Elizabeth Amata

MSSW candidate, Columbia · BA Psychology, BU

Elizabeth graduated from Boston University in 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at Columbia University, specializing in policy practice. Her academic and professional goals center on advancing policy and advocacy for marginalized communities. In 2023, she founded Michigan Moai to expand access to mental health support for immigrant and refugee communities across Michigan, emphasizing culturally competent care and services in individuals’ native languages.

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Portrait of Lawrence Tang
Technical Lead

Lawrence Tang

CS & AI, MIT · Finance minor

Lawrence graduated from MIT in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus in AI, plus a minor in Finance. He runs the website and all technology-related aspects of Michigan Moai — keeping the infrastructure quiet, fast, and easy to maintain. He works as a Quant Trader at a prop firm, building models to trade equities and derivatives, and is passionate about using his technical skills to support impactful causes in the nonprofit sector.

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Get in touch

Work with us, or just say hello.

For partnerships, directory submissions, press, or anything else — email support@michiganmoai.org.

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