Group photo of Youth Leadership Project (YLP) members and mentors, circa 1995.
The Youth Leadership Project (YLP) began to take shape in 1994 as members of the Southeast Asian Organizing Committee (SEAOC) identified groups of Southeast Asian students who were experiencing racial harassment and violence at their schools. The SEAOC modeled their YLP on the Youth Leadership Program developed by Asian American United in Philadelphia, which educated Southeast Asian youth on political organizing, empowered their cultural backgrounds and identities, and gave them tools to advocate for their rights to education, employment, and fair treatment.
The SEAOC hosted its first YLP Summer Institute in 1995. For six weeks, CAAAV organizers guided six Southeast Asian youth community members through lessons in political education, Asian American history, community organizing skills, and leadership training.
The Fall 1995 issue of the Voice reported on the pilot institute:
"The youth project is seen as a way to empower working class and poor Southeast Asian communities. For a community to be truly empowered, leadership must come from within that community. Through YLP, SEAOC hopes to instill a sense of community responsibility among the youth so that they, in turn, will do their own organizing to empower themselves and their communities. After this first program, SEAOC has gained the trust and respect of some of the young people and their families, begun to develop ties within the different Southeast Asian communities, and laid the groundwork for future projects."
Several YLP participants shared their experiences and takeaways from the 1995 Summer Institute with the Voice:
Chhaya Chhoum
“... Usually there aren’t any programs like this in our community… I found this program to be very encouraging for the Southeast Asian children and the community.”
Phalla Chhoum
“When I first came to this program I was very excited… I felt that this program really cared for the Southeast Asian community. I decided to join this program because I wanted to work with kids and to learn more about Southeast Asians.”
Nicola Por
“... I have learned about the importance of community and how an individual or an organized group can make a difference in the community. This program made me more aware of the situations, events, and circumstances in my neighborhood and in the U.S. surrounding Asians and Asian Americans… Before I got involved with this program, I never really paid much attention to what goes on around my neighborhood because, like most other people, I felt it was none of my concern. The program has made me understand that there is an Asian community here – a community that can be improved.”
Thoul Tong
“Now, especially in the Southeast Asian community in the Bronx, more youth are in gangs than before. These youth disrespect their elders; and the violence against one another has escalated so much that people in the community are starting to realize these things happen everyday in this part of the Bronx. I truly think the community needs a center where troubled youth can go and enjoy themselves without facing the hatred and violence that goes on outside. I will help in creating this community center in a community that truly needs one.”
Linda Wong
“As an individual, I had never thought much about my community or any other community. But now, heading towards the end of the Summer Tutoring Program, I realize that there’s a lot to do in my community… In my community or any other Southeast Asian community, there are a lot of young children who hang out late at night with no adults to watch out for them… Before this program I thought that I couldn’t make any difference for the children; but I actually have helped the children…”
