Tags: Youth Empowerment

• AALEADers Learn about Campaign Finance

  By Naijla Faizi, DC Middle & High School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff Last week AALEAD DC middle and high school youth participated in a guest workshop by DC Fair Elections Coalition. This coalition “represents groups from the environmental, labor, economic justice, social justice, faith, and good government movements.” Their main goal is “to pass meaningful campaign finance reform in D.C. to empower everyday residents and make

• 2nd Annual VA Fall Festival

  By Shaima Ahmad, VA Programs Manager Photos Courtesy of Chelsea Iorlano, Development & Communications Associate Last week, AALEAD VA Programs came together to celebrate the start of after school programs for the 2016-17 school year. More than 70 youth across all 3 school sites— Holmes MS, Poe MS, and Annandale HS— attended. The theme for this year's festival was "Autumn Around the World." Youth had the opportunity to learn about how autumn is celebrated in other parts of the world th

• MD Change Makers

  By Diane Bui, MD Middle School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of Chelsea Iorlano, Development and Communications Associate   Each new school year brings a new, exciting energy to AALEAD programs. This year, the Maryland team wants to focus on unifying all youth throughout the nine program sites under one theme and year-long goal. During the 2016 – 2017 school year, Maryland youth will focus on becoming change makers within the community. But what does that

• Changed For Good, Farewell to AALEAD

  During the final song in the musical Wicked, the Good Witch, Glenda, and the Wicked Witch, Elfaba, are in Elfaba's castle. They know the castle is about to be o

• Greetings From YLan!

  By YLan Nguyen, MD Middle School Program Coordinator Photos courtesy of YLan Nguyen Hey everyone, I am excited to join AALEAD as a Maryland Middle School Program Coordinator! I’m moving into my fourth week as a full-time staff and my experience so far has been nothing short of exciting. The staff has been so welcoming, it’s been great working with everyone. 

  A Summer of Opportunities with AALEAD VA

  By Ha Nguyen, VA Programs Intern Photos Courtesy of Ha Nguyen It is now official, everyone! The glorious summer is finally here right on our door steps inviting us all to step outside in the sun and start our own adventures. I am sure that you already have or are sketching out exciting plans with your friends and family. For me, I will be spending my time interning at AALEAD's Virginia office this summer, and I am so excited for what to come. My name is Ha Nguyen, and I am currently a ris

• The Secret Lives of AALEAD Youth

  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

• Leadership in Action: For the Youth, By the Youth

  By Dia Bui, DC Middle and High School Program Coordinator Photo Courtesy of AALEAD Staff All month long, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, DC youth will be putting leadership into action through leading their own workshops - from Star Wars to origami to League of Legends to food. Since the beginning of April, AALEAD DC youth have been creating and drafting their workshops in pairs and groups based on their topic of choice. Each with their own unique

• 3 Things to Remember When Working with Youth

  By YLan Nguyen, MD Programs Intern Hey everyone, it’s YLan again! I’m entering the ninth week of my internship with AALEAD and I’ve been learning a lot about youth work. Last week, I attended a training called “Structure and Clear Limits” hosted by the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality that focused on encouraging youth engagement and productivity by establishing a safe environment. Here are some of my biggest takeawa

• My Education Matters

  By Charles Kuo, DC Elementary School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff Transitions are difficult at any age. During transitional periods, we are faced with making decisions that most definitely affect our futures. The process of changing from one state to another can produce stress and anxiety. One of the biggest transitions a youth faces is the transition from el