youth leadership

CACF organizes Asian Pacific American youth to ensure that there is a collective voice in our advocacy initiatives.  We are responsible advocates by ensuring that Asian Pacific American youth themselves have a meaningful role in promoting equity.

ASAP (Asian American Student Advocacy Project)

 

What is ASAP?

The Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) is a youth leadership program for Asian Pacific American public high school students who want to learn how to make positive changes in education through advocacy.  Advocacy is what we do to express our ideas about what can be improved.  By identifying problems and coming up with helpful solutions, we can advocate for improvements in our schools.

What does ASAP work on?

The "model minority" stereotype, the lack of Asian Pacific American representation in the curriculum, and harassment against immigrant students are some factors preventing schools from effectively educating Asian Pacific American students.  Believing that youth themselves should play a role in advocating for positive school reform, ASAP allows youth to develop their own campaign. 

ASAP is currently working on a college and career readiness campaign to ensure all Asian Pacific American youth have the support and guidance they need to not only graduate high school but succeed in college and their careers.

To learn more about ASAP, please download the brochure

If you are interested in being part of ASAP, please download the 2011-2012 application.

 

QAPAW (Queer Asian Pacific American Workshops)

Queer Asian Pacific American youth feel unsupported by many Asian Pacific American community organizations and feel marginalized in many programs for queer youth of color.  QAPAW aims to provide a safe space for queer Asian Pacific American youth to address both race and sexual identity.  In summer 2006, QAPAW organized a conference for over 70 youth, educators, and community based organization staff to learn about strategies to support these youth.

At the end of 2006, a documentary film following QAPAW's summer conference was produced.  For a copy of the documentary, click here.