This summer will look very different than last year, with a shift from in-person programming to digital. But Pa, a participant in the 2019 Summer Youth Program, says she’s still excited to meet this year’s cohort, this year as a Youth Leader.
Last summer culminated into a leadership project where Pa uplifted the stories and images of queer Asian Americans. Through the program, Pa, along with her 2019 Summer Youth cohort, explored topics not often discussed in schools, including Asian American history, disability justice, and gender justice.
And this summer, Pa will be joining Pa Hok, another participant from the 2019 Summer Youth Program, as Youth Leaders in the 2020 Summer Youth Program.
Not only are Youth Leaders able to coordinate with Youth Manager Clara to build the summer curriculum, but they also get the chance to lead a workshop for the other cohort members.
“A few topics of interest are disability justice and ethnic studies,” Pa says. “I feel strongly about disability justice because I grew up with people who are disabled and people who are able bodied don’t know the struggles. It’s not talked about so I want to bring more light to that topic.”
For Pa Hok, whose leadership project last summer was a personal narrative on relationships with friends and family, the opportunity to be a Youth Leader wasn’t something she had considered.
But Pa Hok is looking forward to building a community space and rapport with the new cohort this summer.
“I will try to make everyone feel more welcome,” Pa Hok says. “I want to make sure to bring my knowledge and also be able to get other youth’s thoughts on social topics because they’re not usually talked about.”
In preparation for these workshops, Pa Hok shares that she’s also been testing out different presentations with her younger siblings to see what topics were appealing.
One topic in particular is timely. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising instances of xenophobia against the Asian community, Pa Hok says she’s interested in leading a conversation with the new youth cohort on this topic — especially since it’s a conversation that isn’t talked much about.
Pa and Pa Hok’s work as part of the Youth Action Team (YAT), a youth cohort that meets during the school year, have shaped their experiences and knowledge to better prepare for their Youth Leader roles.
YAT members generally have completed the Summer Youth Program and spend the school year diving deeper into issues they care about with an aim to enact changes.
The 2019-2020 YAT cohort focused on mental wellbeing, facilitating a series of Mental Health workshops for youth by youth. These workshops gave youth the tools and resources to better understand their own mental wellbeing.
The extra practice at facilitating workshops helped give more confidence to both Youth Leaders, especially for when they transition into facilitating a solo workshop.
“I’m excited to lead my own workshop,” Pa says. “And to be able to create new memories with the new youth. I’m looking forward to what new skills I can gain being in this position.”
The YAT cohort also released a zine compilation by youth for youth on navigating the sudden changes youth have experienced because of COVID-19. The Pandemic Depression can be found here.