SEATTLE – The Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation (ACLF) and WAPI Community Services announced today a partnership to create a safe, community lounge for youth in the International District/Chinatown.
“ACLF is proud to partner with WAPI Community Services on this ambitious and much needed project that will benefit Asian Pacific Islander (API) youth and the International District/Chinatown neighborhood,” said Craig Kanaya, ACLF Board President. “ACLF’s mission is to build the next wave of leaders in API community.
This project and partnership will make our community stronger and give our youth access to services and opportunities that will help them become the API community leaders of tomorrow.”
WAPI Community Services and ACLF’s 13th Community Leaders Program (CLP) class will spend the next six months developing and implementing a plan to reinvigorate engagement in a youth lounge in the International
District/Chinatown. The lounge, the only youth space of its kind in the neighborhood, will provide a safe space for those who are unable to visit WAPI’s new offices in south Seattle because of a lack of transportation and
feeling unsafe from rival gangs.
“WAPI is excited about our partnership with ACLF and the 2012 CLP class,” said Greg Garcia, WAPI Executive Director. “Upon meeting the class, I’m confident the group will bring great energy and ideas to the project. They are a great group.”
ACLF’s Community Leaders Program is an intensive six month leadership program that offers training and mentorship to individuals with an interest and passion in leadership roles in their community.
The CLP participants attend bi-monthly workshops and network with community leaders and complete a group project that benefits and contributes to a healthy and vibrant API community. At the end of the program in
November, the CLP class will present their project to the community and be joined by community members, leaders and elected officials at a graduation ceremony.
“This year’s participants are a diverse, smart and highly motivated group of individuals,” said former Washington State Representative and ACLF co-founder Kip Tokuda. “This group makes me hopeful and confident the next generation of leaders will be strong and dedicated to social justice.”
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About Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation
The Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation (ACLF) is a community-based, nonprofit organization that trains and supports the leadership of Asian Pacific Islanders with a commitment to social justice, community empowerment and public service. Its mission is to promote social, economic and political justice by training and supporting a strong, sustainable community of civically engaged leaders that reflects the diversity of local Asians & Pacific Islanders. For more information visit www.aclfnorthwest.org or contact Bao Nguyen 206-625-3850
About WAPI Community Services
We are a non-profit agency serving Asian Pacific Islander Youth and all Youth of Color, ages 10-20, in the greater Seattle area. Our goal is to help youth deal with substance abuse/dependency issues and to provide youth with healthy alternatives to substance use. We provide services that meet the cultural needs and expectations of the community we serve. Its mission is to provide and advocate for culturally competent and age-appropriate prevention and substance abuse treatment services for Asian Pacific Islander Youth and all Youth of Color.
For more information visit www.wapiseattle.org or contact: Greg Garcia 206-223-9578, ext. 11
