Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP)’s civic engagement program primarily uses the Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE) model. Many voter education or civic engagement programs are mobilized on a short basis, only leading right up to elections. The IVE model seeks to continually keep community members engaged politically through various channels, including organizing, advocacy, and voting.
The Twin Cities and its surrounding suburbs also boasts of a growing Asian American population. It’s important for civic engagement based organizations to reach out to all populations and make sure their voice is heard. AAOP seeks to fill this gap by reaching out to Asian American community members — whose voices are often overlooked by major campaigns and candidates.
AAOP’s civic engagement program typically runs May/June through December and encompasses many different events and activities. In 2018, AAOP has reached out to the Asian American community, specifically young APIA folks, on college campuses, at community events, and even in grocery stores. AAOP has also held civic engagement education events around advocacy, language as a tool for organizing, and even connected community members with their elected officials.
Beginning 2018 through 2020, AAOP has also incorporate census outreach into our civic engagement program and continues this work in 2021 through 2022 as part of the redistricting work with Our Maps Minnesota.
Outreach typically includes: door knock, phone bank, text, and hot spot canvassing.
Our 2022 Canvassing Team
Elizabeth is a second generation Hmong immigrant and is attending the University of Minnesota this fall. She enjoys learning about history and making documentaries about topics that are usually forgotten and hidden in American history. Elizabeth cares about voting rights and transforming the American education system to be equitable for all, especially BIPOC communities. She believes that everyone should have a voice, since our voting power can represent and determine change needed for our community.
Najma is a college student striving to make a difference in her community. While she’s never canvassed before, Najma believes it’s important to make connections and raise awareness on specific issues like voting.
Sun Shine, or Sunny, loves artistic hobbies like painting, ceramic, and photography. She also loves to workout. Sunny wanted to gain insight on ways to help her community, make an impact, and learn more about her identities. She looks forward to connecting with people, learning about new ways of thinking, and challenging herself mentally and physically. Most importantly, she’s excited about taking action with other people to discuss different issues.
Alice just started as a canvasser! Outside of AAOP, they also work as a videographer and media educator. In her free time, Alice enjoys making art (painting and filmmaking), reading, and biking. They just moved to the Twin Cities last Fall from the East Coast, and are still feeling accomplished at having survived their first winter here. Looking forward to participating in civic engagement and becoming more familiar with the local Asian American community!
Laichia Vang is a queer, non-binary, Hmong American activist whose work is focused on healing, solidarity, and storytelling. She studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to get an Individualized Studies with concentrations of Political Science, Sociology, and Racial Justice in Urban Schooling, as well as a minor in Asian American Studies. They advocate for ethnic studies, reform in English Language Learner (ELL) programs, and much more! In their free time, they like to read multicultural literature, try different foods in the Twin Cities, and produce music. Laichia looks forward to being a Community Canvasser with AAOP and creating new connections with amazing people!
Liz is currently a student and joined AAOP because she is passionate about getting in touch with her community and aiding them with the election process. She believes in community power! With a collective, we are able to work towards bettering our city first-hand.
Siuho is a transracial Chinese American adoptee and is passionate about adoptee, racial, and queer justice. She is looking forward to engaging with the Asian American community to help work toward a more equitable world.
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