JUNE 26 UPDATE
Dear Community,
We regret to inform the early closing of the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Youth & Young Asian People. We have received an overwhelming number of applications and need time to review. We plan to disburse grants by July 10, 2020.
Although our state is slowly re-opening, it’s clear that our community still needs support and resources to meet our basic needs.
If you’d like to support the work we do as young Asian leaders, please contribute here: http://aaopmn.org/support-building-young-asian-leaders/
Sincerely,
Youth and young organizers and leaders of
Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP)
For Immediate Release
June 25, 2020
ST. PAUL, MINN. — Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP) launches a COVID-19 Relief Fund for youth and young Asian people between the ages of 14 and 35.
AAOP Executive Director Linda Her says, “As a grassroots civic engagement organization led by and for Asian youth and young people power, we witnessed young people as an afterthought once again by majority adult-led and decision making in the home, community, institutions and government. There’s high expectations for young people to prep or carry out adult responsibilities, but there’s low support and resources for them.”
“Our Asian youth and young people are powerful, but they are facing increased stress from home responsibilities, feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and powerlessness as well as financial barriers from lost jobs and increased educational costs. At the same time, they are being left out of support from unemployment benefits, the stimulus package, and many adult centered relief funds,” says AAOP Youth Program Manager Clara King.
While the federal stimulus package helped alleviate some financial burdens for many of our vulnerable communities, it leaves out many other marginalized communities – including our youth and young people who work and contribute as taxpayers, but do not receive any federal or state aid to address their needs.
This Relief Fund aims to offset that gap and provide financial relief to youth and young people struggling during the pandemic. While relief funds are prioritized for those identifying as LGBTQA+, girls, and women, all young Asian people are eligible to apply.
“While this relief fund does not dismantle the system at the root of the economic inequality that COVID-19 has highlighted, it is imperative that we support these young people financially so that they can focus on the work they want to accomplish as students, community members, leaders, and organizers. We must always center our young people and ensure that we are creating a world where they can thrive and are free to lead,” says Clara King.
The application is open June 25th through July 2nd, but may close earlier depending on the number of applications.
Those eligible may apply at bit.ly/aaopCOVIDrelief.
Linda Her adds, “As a young people-led organization, it was very challenging to secure large grant amounts for our relief fund effort that centered serving youth and young people. There’s an important responsibility for adults in community leadership and institutions to examine how they build relationships, trust, and co-create with youth and young people in leadership towards change and justice. We are appreciative of our supporters and funders: Youthprise, Minneapolis Foundation, Women’s Foundation, and Headwaters Justice Foundation for their COVID-19 relief fund and resources that made this possible for our youth and young Asian community members.”
To support our work, please consider being a monthly donor for our youth and young Asian people power movement in Minnesota: http://aaopmn.org/support-building-young-asian-leaders/
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