OUR HISTORY
AAOP was founded in 2013 by a diverse group of community organizers to focus on implementing the Get Out the Vote program in 2014 and 2015. Throughout those years, AAOP engaged with the local Asian American community to encourage them to vote.
In December 2015, AAOP restructured to what it is known as today, with Linda Lelis-Her stepping up as the new Executive Director with a new vision.
WHO WE ARE
We collaborate with local and national partners on issues affecting young Asian communities, such as voting rights and access, civic engagement, and climate and reproductive justice. We address these issues through youth participatory action research, grassroots organizing and canvassing, and narrative shift to co-create community change.
OUR MISSION
We are a grassroots nonprofit organization that empowers young Asian Minnesotans (14-35 years old), prioritizing those holding LGBTQA+ and women/femme identities, to create systemic changes towards and equitable, conscious, and just society.
OUR WORK
AAOP’s civic engagement focuses on voter engagement and education to ensure that young Asian Minnesotans are well informed about leadership, policies, and issues that impact the conditions and outcomes of their day to day lives. In organizing alongside our volunteer change makers, we are able to do this through canvassing phones, schools, and cultural events. We also hold educational events and coordinate with community partners on advocacy and organizing efforts. Importantly, we develop the leadership of young people to reach more young people, and get connected to their elected leaders to address their community concerns, and provide community solutions.