A Day of Service and Mentoring

By Vi Bui, Youth Mentoring & Volunteer Programs Coordinator and Salena Chaudhry, Mentoring Intern

Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff.

On Saturday February 16, 2019, youth from across AALEAD’s programs in the DC area convened at Martha’s Table at the Commons to partake in community service projects, share how mentoring has impacted their lives, and honor the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement in the Asian American community.

Youth discussed in groups how Asian Americans have been affected by the Civil Rights movement through the legalization of interracial marriage, passage of the Immigration Act of 1965 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the desegregation of schools.

“The Civil Rights movement is important because it shows people have a voice, people of different colors & ethnicity can come together and fight for their rights”

– AALEAD Youth

Youth then participated in one of five community service projects that would impact the communities served by local community organizations: Martha’s Table, Philippine American Foundation for Charities, AP/I Domestic Violence Resource Project, Lutheran Social Services, and Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. Additionally, the youth assembled lunches and trail mix bags for those in need of food, created cards and care packages for domestic violence survivors and elders, and advocated for refugees.

Through this event, AALEAD youth became more intimately connected to issues in the local community that affect immigrants & people of color and gained insight on how to sustain the legacy of civil rights & social justice.

“I liked how the day promoted civil rights movement as well as us being a part of the community and being able to step up”

– AALEAD youth

“I enjoyed the event because it raised awareness of the community as well as service learning projects”

– AALEAD Youth sharing their thoughts on the Day of Service and Mentoring