When Sandy Dang moved to Washington as a refugee, she recognized the shared difficulties among her Asian American neighbors. Chief among those struggles was fostering identity in a new home.

So in 1998 Dang founded the Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) organization around neighborhoods where Vietnamese immigrants and refugees like her settled.

AALEAD supports students throughout their education by helping them to develop their identity and explore leadership opportunities, through after-school, mentoring and summer programs. Participants can learn skills relevant to future careers and explore higher education options.

Students learn more about and interact with their community through resume building, interview preparation, college campus tours and other events. They also develop their voice in these spaces facilitated by AALEAD, which will carry them through adulthood, Dang said.

The AALEAD programs serve Asian American youth and families, especially in lower-income households. Although it started with Vietnamese populations in mind, the organization quickly grew to encompass the broader Asian community and also expanded out of Washington into the surrounding suburbs.

It moved into Montgomery County, Md., in 2006 and Fairfax County in 2014. The organization now has teams in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, with youth councils composed of students in each region.

Dang passed on her executive director role after about a decade, but her successors have carried on the mission. Siu Cheung Rossmark was named executive director in April.

Cheung heard about AALEAD 16 years ago when her friend, board chair Ban Tran, told her about the organization’s toy drive. Cheung has been involved in various roles (from volunteer to board chair) ever since.

Over the years and across her positions within the organization, Cheung has amassed a cache of ideas for AALEAD. As executive director, she is excited to implement her myriad ideas and work directly with staff and students.

“I am in awe of the impact on families and young people that we see every day at AALEAD,” Cheung said. “As we reach the next generation, it is my honor to work in collaboration to amplify positive outcomes for the AAPI community.”

One example of the organization’s impact is its College & Career Mentoring Program, started in 2016 for first-generation AAPI college students. Cheung hopes to increase the number of schools in the program and grow parental involvement.

“The college and career readiness workshops have proven highly effective and engaging, with youth expressing increased confidence and self-identity,” said Gina Lee, communications and development manager for AALEAD.

Not only do AALEAD programs build students’ confidence and identity, but they also help with mental health and creativity. Some AALEAD programs include artistic expression workshops. Other programs make time to celebrate cultural holidays and youth milestones.

The theme for the organization’s newest programs are evolution and joy.

“Evolution pertains to the growth of youth in self-confidence, self-expression and self-esteem as they acquire hard skills for post-secondary education and life after high school,” Lee said. “This year, joy has been central to the programs, as youth perceive them as places where they learn and can be themselves, enjoying time in the community.”

Matthew Gonzales, youth facilitation coordinator for AALEAD, introduced social and political awareness into programs and organized programs that touched on immigration, resistance movements and more.

Lee said students have actively participated and appreciate “these safe spaces to learn about social and political issues that affect them but are not typically taught in school.”

Also, the AALEAD Virginia council led workshops for middle school students focusing on marginalized groups within the AAPI community. Topics included food histories, disability access in public spaces, sign language and more.

In Maryland, Fatima Bouzid, youth facilitation coordinator, has worked on programs supporting mental health. Program leaders teach healthy coping skills using tools like positive affirmations and relaxation techniques.

The organization also plans summer programs, which usually task participants with advocating for a local cause, culminating in a community service project.

This particular summer program will focus on deepening ties to the local community and highlighting AAPI history in the area.

“Summer programs are focused on sharing the stories of our local communities through various artistic mediums,” Lee said. “They also give our staff more time to engage on a deeper level with each of our youth.”

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More information

Visit aalead.org to learn more or get involved.