By Tina Ngo, Mentoring & Volunteer Programs Manager Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff There have been many things that I've learned over the course of my time at Asian American LEAD (AALEAD), but one lesson in particular will always stand out to me. During an after school program session, a young person and I had a discussion about choices and how a single decision can create a ripple effect. I'll never forget this conversation because AALEAD youth speak truth: the choices that we make imp
By Sue G., Current MD Youth Mentee Photo Courtesy of Shanice Lo, MD Middle School Program Coordinator We are halfway through National Mentoring Month, and I am excited to share another account of one of our youth mentees! This week's post comes from Sue G., who is an active member of our MD Programs. I first met Sue when I visited her after-school program in Fall 2015. I remember being nervous, as it was one of my first Maryland site visits. But, I also remember Sue putting me at ease wi
By Tommy L., Current DC Youth Mentee Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Lim, Mentoring & Volunteer Programs Coordinator Happy National Mentoring Month! It has been such a joy building relationships with our wonderful youth mentees, learning about their interests, passions, and goals. Every January, I have the unique opportunity to reflect on the larger meaning of the work I do with the supremely gracious, thoughtful, talented, hilarious and warm young people in AALEAD's Mentoring Program. I
By Ari Pak, MDÂ High School Program Coordinator
Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff, Youth Powerpoint, and Southern Poverty Law Center
If anyone has ever
By Yonsoo Kang, VA Programs Coordinator
Photo Courtesy by AALEAD Staff
Hello again!
AALEAD VA Summer Horizons finished with an amazing trip to Six Flags after six weeks of fun and intense activities.
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By Chelsea Iorlano, Development & Communications Associate Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff Across Washington, DC, Montgomery County, MD, and Fairfax County, VA, summer break has ended and school is officially back in session. From planning lunch recruitment sessions to meeting with school staff and administrators, from printing intake forms to writing program lesson plans, AALEAD staff are hard at work preparing for another school year of successful programs. As staff work diligently to br
By Keo Xiong, MD Programs Manager Photos Courtesy of Keo Xiong, MD Programs Manager “Sometimes when we think we are keeping a secret, the secret is actually keeping us.” ― Frank Warren
Friendship. Insecurity. Love. Loss. Fear. Expectations.
These are just some of the common threads among the secrets shared anonymously by AALEAD youth for a PostSecret project at school. PostSecret is
By YLan Nguyen, MD Programs Intern Photos Courtesy of YLan Nguyen, MD Programs Intern Hi everyone, my name is YLan Nguyen and I am AALEAD’s MD Programs Intern for the spring 2016 semester. Currently, I am a senior at the University of Maryland studying psychology and Asian American Studies. For the duration of my internship, I’ll be at Wheaton High School’s and Julius West Middle School’s after school programs. Iâ
By Dia Bui, DC Middle and High School Program Coordinator
Photos courtesy of Dia Bui
By Yonsoo Kang, VA Middle School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of Yonsoo Kang Hello everyone!  Happy 2016. Youth from Poe and Holmes Middle Schools have been busy learning about one another’s culture as well as celebrating their own.  In December and January, AALEADers used icing to draw flags representing their heritage on cookies