youth leadership

CACF organizes Asian Pacific American youth to ensure that there is a collective voice in our advocacy initiatives.  We are responsible advocates by ensuring that Asian Pacific American youth themselves have a meaningful role in promoting equity.

ASAP (Asian American Student Advocacy Project)

The "model minority" stereotype, the lack of Asian Pacific American representation in the curriculum, and harassment against immigrant students are some factors preventing schools from effectively educating Asian Pacific American students.  Believing that youth themselves should play a role in advocating for positive school reform, CACF launched ASAP as a youth leadership project for Asian Pacific American public high school students.  In 2006, 15 ASAP youth leaders gave a policy briefing to six high-ranking Department of Education officials.

If you are interested in learning more about ASAP, click here.

QAPAW (Queer Asian Pacific American Workshops)

Queer Asian Pacific American youth feel unsupported by many Asian Pacific American community organizations and feel marginalized in many programs for queer youth of color.  QAPAW aims to provide a safe space for queer Asian Pacific American youth to address both race and sexual identity.  In summer 2006, QAPAW organized a conference for over 70 youth, educators, and community based organization staff to learn about strategies to support these youth.

At the end of 2006, a documentary film following QAPAW's summer conference was produced.  For a copy of the documentary, click here.