Monthly Archives: September 2017

• When It Comes to Our Youth, Expect the Unexpected!

  By: Pallavi Rudraraju Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff As I near the start of After School Programs in Fairfax County, and head into my fourth month as the VA Middle School Program Coordinator, I feel so grateful for a wonderful beginning to my journey in the VA Middle School Program. Over the past few months, I have worked with MD and VA high schoolers during their leadership retreat, co-facilitated the VA MIC CHECK Summer Program, and learned immensely along the way. One important less

• My Journey To Youth Work

  By: Saadia Ahmad, DC Elementary School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff “But you’re a fashion designer, how come you’re teach

• The 3 Most Important Things I’ve Learned About Youth Work in 3 Months

  By: Mecca McPherson, MD Middle School Coordinator Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff I had just arrived off the metro from a closing shift at work, when I saw the email notification. I read good news - my application to intern with Asian American LEAD had been accepted! During orientation, I met the other interns and learned I would be working with the DC Middle and High School Summer Program under the tutelage of one Stephanie Lim. Though filled with slight apprehension, I was mostly excited.

• Standing together with ALL youth!

  “Compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use, and the regular exercise of choosing kindness over cruelty would change us.”

  -Gandhi By: Neel Saxena, Executive Director Photos Courtesy of Various Sources This past Tuesday, the current administration announced the end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), thrusting the hopes and dreams of 780,

• Lessons Taught, Lessons Learned: What Young People Taught One Youth Worker

  By Keo Xiong, Former AALEAD Staff Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff In August 2013, I packed into my new Scion XB a few bags of clothes, some books, photo scrapbooks, and a few snacks, and hit the road on a three day road trip from St. Paul, MN to Washington, D.C. to begin my new job at Asian American LEAD as a Maryland Middle School Program Coordinator. Four years later, after having become the Maryland Programs Manager, in August 2017, I repacked my now-tattered Scion XB (thanks, DC drivers)