Asian Pacific American Student Resources

Asian Pacific American Student Resources

STUDENT CONFERENCES

The Midwest Asian American Student Union (MAASU) was started in response to a need for political unity among Asian American students in the Midwest. The objectives of MAASU are: to assist schools with the establishment of APIA student organizations, APIA cultural center and/or an Asian American Studies Program; to promote leadership among APIA students through programs including, but not limited to the Leadership Retreat, Spring Conference and other various programming; to address the educational needs and rights of the APIA community and provide scholarship information for all APIA students; to develop and maintain a channel of communication for APIA student organizations in the Midwest through emails, biweekly newsletter and networking; to assist and encourage all APIA students to work toward social change, by providing a forum for social consciousness; to unite all communities and strengthen the APIA community’s stance against all forms of oppression.
www.maasu.org

National Asian American Student Conference (NAASCon) is an active Asian Pacific American (APA) student political organization with the mission of educating, fostering dialogue, and mobilizing students through proactive campaigns across the country on issues of importance facing the APA community. NAASCon strives to achieve its vision through issue advocacy, coalition building, and leadership development.
www.naascon.org

The South Asian Students' Alliance (S.A.S.A.) Conference is the largest conference for South Asian youths in North America. In fact, it is the only event of its kind. It concentrates on fulfilling an educational requirement but also has a keen focus on culture, and of course entertainment.
http://www.sasaweb.org/index.shtml

Annual National Vietnamese American Student Conference
The Union of North American Vietnamese Students Associations (uNAVSA), a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization, was founded in 2004 as a means for Vietnamese youth organizations from across North America to network, share common resources, and collaborate with one another. Our primary members are the leaders and staff of Vietnamese Student Associations (VSAs) at college and university campuses in North America, as well as regional umbrella VSA groups, but we also draw from our network of relationships with young working professionals. Each year, there is a national student conference held in March. http://www.unavsa.org/

FUNDING RESOURCES

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the only national organization promoting higher education of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans by distributing scholarships for qualified students going to college. Its mission is to forge partnerships building a national Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship organization that supports and encourages all Asian and Pacific Islander American students to pursue higher education, thereby developing future leaders who will contribute back to their communities, and ultimately, strengthening America.
http://www.apiasf.org/

Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA)
Mission is: to encourage Asian American and Pacific Islanders to enter the ranks of journalism; to work for fair and accurate coverage of Asian American and Pacific Islanders; and to increase the number of Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists and news managers in the industry. The AAJA offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in journalism.
http://www.aaja.org/programs/for_students/scholarships/

Council on Career Development for Minorities
Annually awarded scholarship for ethnic minority undergraduates. Applicants should show outstanding academic records and be enrolled in an approved accredited university or college.

Contact: Scholarship Coordinator
Council on Career Development for Minorities
1341 W Mockingbird Ln, Suite 412-E
Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 631-3677

Alice Yuriko Endo Scholarship
For students of Japanese American descent. Deadline: February. Amount: Varies.
Contact: Japanese American Citizens League
1765 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-5225

Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander American*, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. Continuing GMS Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation established the initiative to encourage and support students in completing their college education and earning a graduate degree (Masters and/or doctoral degree) in disciplines in which their racial and ethnic groups are currently underrepresented. The Gates Millennium Scholars award enables young Americans to attend undergraduate and graduate institutions of their choice. In addition to increasing access to higher education for these underrepresented groups, GMS also provides leadership training. Through participation in a comprehensive leadership development program, Scholars enhance academic and leadership skills, which prepare them to assume important roles in their professions and in their communities.
https://www.gmsp.org/GMSP_app/default.aspx

INTERNSHIPS

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization dedicated to increasing participation of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. APAICS offers unpaid internships throughout the year for undergraduate and graduate students interested in issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Interns may be asked to assist in: obtaining updates on legislation, regulations, and court decisions affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; research regarding Asian American and Pacific Islander community demographics, elected officials, federal/state/local elections and the political process; writing briefings regarding political issues of interest to Asian American for distribution to the APAICS e-mail audience, posting on the APAICS web page, and/or publication in other media; administration of APAICS programs; Performing general office work Every summer, APAICS invites a group of exceptional college students from across the nation to experience working in Congress and federal agencies. In addition, the interns attend briefings with members of Congress, networking events with other interns from other national Asian Pacific Islander American organizations, and also participate in joint activities with the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucus Institutes.
http://www.apaics.org/index.html

Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA)
Mission is: to encourage Asian American and Pacific Islanders to enter the ranks of journalism; to work for fair and accurate coverage of Asian American and Pacific Islanders; and to increase the number of Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists and news managers in the industry. The AAJA offers internships and grants to students pursuing a journalism career.
http://www.aaja.org/programs/for_students/internships/

The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, was incorporated in 1991 and opened its Washington, D.C. office in 1993. AAJC works to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans through advocacy, public policy, public education, and litigation. In accomplishing its mission, AAJC focuses its work to Promote Civic Engagement, to Forge Strong and Safe Communities, and to Create an Inclusive Society in communities on a local, regional, and national level. A nationally recognized voice on behalf of Asian Americans, AAJC focuses its expertise on affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention/race relations, census, immigrant rights, language access, and voting rights.

The Asian American Justice Center is accepting applications for unpaid internships for undergraduate and law students interested in practical field work experience on civil rights issues. Interns will be responsible for assisting staff with the following:
• Conducting research projects on issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community;
• Writing legislative alerts, press releases, and newsletter articles;
• Performing some administrative work;
• Attending Congressional hearings and representing NAPALC at coalition meetings;
• Assisting in program development; and
• Other tasks as defined.
http://www.advancingequality.org/?id=139

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian Pacific American union members. It organizes and works with Asian Pacific American workers, many of them immigrants, to build the labor movement and address exploitative conditions in the garment, electronics, hotel and restaurant, food processing, and health care industries. APALA offers internships all year round. APALA Interns will work on the following types of projects:
*Organizing: Developing labor activism at the chapter level. Outreach to unions, and APIA community and student groups, strategic research into APIA workforce and organizing prospects.
*Media: Writing and designing materials such as brochures, flyers, and website; writing articles about APALA, APIA workers, and issues.
*Politics: Assist in producing the legislative scorecard summarizing the impact on APIA workers and recommended APALA position. Plan and implement voter registration, education, and GOTV program for 2006.
Full time interns will be paid $1000 per month.
http://www.apalanet.org/ht/d/sp/i/2364/pid/2364

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)
This is a great opportunity to learn firsthand about issues and policy that affects Asian Pacific Americans. The OCA Internship Program also exposes interns to other aspects of D.C. Last year, intern visits included Congressional offices, where interns met with Representatives, APA staffers, and members of the Congressional APA Caucus. They also met with members of the Department of Justice and discussed issues concerning civil rights and voting rights. Interns will have a lot of hands on experience at the offices in which they are placed. The OCA internships are a great way for student leaders to learn about OCA, current issues facing Asian Pacific Americans, and while experiencing the day to day activities of internet company. The main placements are: The OCA National Office (Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring); Capitol Hill (Summer only); Federal Agencies (Summer only).
http://www.ocanatl.org/docs/oca/ocaintrnshpapp.pdf

NATIONAL ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT RESOURCES

Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)
CAPAL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization that was founded in 1989 by APA professionals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Its mission is to promote APA interests and success in public sector careers, to provide information and education on policy issues affecting the APA community, and to serve the APA community at large.
www.capal.org

Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)
Founded in 1990, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is a national membership and philanthropic advocacy organization dedicated to advancing philanthropy and Asian Pacific American (APA) communities. Our members include foundations, staff and trustees of grant making institutions, and nonprofit organizations in eight regional chapters in the United States. AAPIP engages APA communities and philanthropy to address unmet needs; serves as a resource for and about APA communities; supports and facilitates giving by and to APA communities; and incubates new ideas and approaches for social justice philanthropy.
www.aapip.org

Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
The Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence is a national network of advocates; community members; professionals from health, mental health, law, education, and social services; survivors; scholars; researchers; and activists from public policy, community organizations, youth programs, immigrants’ rights networks, communities of color, women’s groups, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender communities, and other social justice organizations. We serve as a forum for, and clearinghouse on information, research, resources and critical issues about violence against women in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
http://www.apiahf.org/apidvinstitute/default.htm

Asians in America Magazine
"Knowledge is Power, Knowledge is Pride." This statement is the founding principle behind Asians in America (AIA). Its sole purpose is to be a central source of information for all things of interest to people of Asian Pacific descent living in the U. S. AIA’s goal is to become the most comprehensive source of information on Asian Pacific America. The website includes previously published and original content useful to community leaders, researchers, writers, journalists, educators, policy makers, students, or anyone with any interest in the APA community. www.asiansinamerica.org

Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)
Founded in 1991, the Asian American Justice Center (formerly the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium) works to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans through advocacy, public policy, public education, and litigation. In accomplishing its mission, AAJC focuses its work to Promote Civic Engagement, to Forge Strong and Safe Communities, and to Create an Inclusive Society in communities on a local, regional, and national level. AAJC is one of the nation's leading experts on issues of importance to the Asian American community including: affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention/race relations, census, immigrant rights, immigration, language access, and voting rights.
www.advancingequality.org

Asian Media Watch
Asian Media Watch™ is a grassroots non-profit organization supported and privately funded by volunteers. It is independent and does not receive funds from any business entities. Instead, it relies on the help and support of concerned individuals in the community. Its mission is to promote a fair and balanced portrayal of Asian Americans in the media and entertainment industry. Its objectives are to raise awareness of the negative depictions of Asian American portrayals in media and entertainment, and to facilitate the open debate and timely response to the broadcast of offensive content. Asian Media Watch wants to monitor the portrayal of Asian Americans in television and film, and work proactively to encourage more positive roles for Asian Americans in the media and entertainment industry.
www.asianmediawatch.net

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) is a national association representing community health organizations dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration and leadership that improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders within the United States, its territories and freely associated states, primarily through our member community health centers.
http://www.aapcho.org/site/aapcho/

Center for Asian American Media
The Center for Asian American Media (formerly NAATA) is a nonprofit media arts organization dedicated to: informing and educating the general public about the Asian American experience through film and public television; advocating for increasing the presence of Asian Americans and the accuracy of the portrayals of them in mainstream media; exhibiting Asian American films and videos on public television and during its annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival; funding Asian American projects and filmmakers; and distributing their work to schools, universities, libraries and community groups around the country.
www.asianamericanmedia.org

GABRIELA Network (GABNet)
GABRIELA Network is a Philippine-US women's solidarity mass organization. GABNet provides the means by which Filipinas in the US can empower themselves, functions as training ground for women's leadership, and articulates the women's point of view. GABNet effects change through organizing, educating, fundraising, networking, and advocacy.
www.gabnet.org

Hmong National Development (HND)
HND's mission is to build capacity, develop leadership and empower the Hmong American community.
www.hndinc.org

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
One of the nation’s oldest Asian American civil and human rights organization, its founding mission was focused on protecting the civil rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry, today the JACL is committed to protecting the rights of all segments of the Asian Pacific American community.
www.jacl.org

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)
The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) is a national grassroots advocacy organization committed to a progressive movement for social and economic justice and the political empowerment of Asian and Pacific American (APA) women and girls. NAPAWF's mission is to build an APA women's movement among those who believe in advancing social justice, and addressing the concerns and increasing the rights of APA women and girls. NAPAWF's strength and vitality lie among its membership and chapters.
www.napawf.org

National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (NCAPACD)
The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development is the first national advocacy organization dedicated to addressing the community development, organizing and advocacy needs of the diverse and rapidly growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities nationwide. Its mission is to be a powerful voice for the unique community development needs of AAPI communities and to strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations to create neighborhoods of hope and opportunity.
www.nationalcapacd.org

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a non-partisan, non-profit national affiliation of more than five hundred Filipino-American institutions and umbrella organizations. Its twelve regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Marianas.
www.naffaa.org

National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
NAKASEC’s mission is to project a national progressive voice on major civil rights and immigrant rights issues and promote the full participation of Korean Americans in American society.
www.nakasec.org

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)
Founded in 1973, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 12 million Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.
OCA's goals are: to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment; to promote civic participation, education, and leadership; to advance coalitions and community building; and to foster cultural heritage.
www.ocanatl.org

Polaris Project
Polaris Project is a leading international organization combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Based in the United States and Japan, Polaris brings together community members, survivors, and professionals to fight trafficking and slavery in the spirit of a modern-day Underground Railroad. Polaris Project uses a comprehensive strategy: empowering individual survivors of trafficking while also creating long-term social change.
http://www.polarisproject.org/polarisproject/

South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT)
Founded in 2000, South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the full and equal participation by South Asians in the civic and political life of the United States. There are approximately 2 million South Asians in the United States today. South Asians trace their descent to Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the diaspora including the West Indies, Africa and Europe. SAALT's goals are to: provide a uniform and informed voice on issues affecting South Asians that relate to equality and civil rights; develop South Asian Coalitions that transcend religious, ethnic, or linguistic differences, to facilitate collective action and broader community change; create opportunities for leadership, service, and volunteerism by South Asians in order to foster civic engagement.
www.saalt.org

South Asian American Voting Youth (SAAVY)
SAAVY is a volunteer collective of young people that want to see the South Asian American youth voice have a united progressive voice to make politicians listen to us. They come from all realms of the activist community and see a need to bring skills from the progressive movement to the South Asian community, and have decided to do just that. Its mission is to empower the 18-24 yr. South Asian Americans to be united in one voice, creating a powerful voting bloc that will allow South Asian American issues to be pushed to the forefront of American politics.
www.saavy.org

Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
SEARAC is a national organization advancing the interests of Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans through leadership development, capacity building, and community empowerment. It was founded in 1979 as the Indochina Refugee Action Center (IRAC) to facilitate the relocation of Southeast Asian refugees into American society and foster the development of nonprofit organizations led by and for Southeast Asian Americans. It serves as a coalition-builder and leader, carries out action-oriented research projects, and strengthens the capacity of community-based organizations such as mutual assistance associations (MAAs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs). SEARAC also fosters civic engagement among Southeast Asian Americans, and represents Southeast Asian communities at the national level in Washington, DC.
www.searac.org

OHIO ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT RESOURCES

Asian Cultural Society of Ohio
Offers cross-cultural pursuits among Asian organizations
3133 Ledlow Road (Shaker Heights) Phone: 216-921-3217

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (ASIA) – Akron, Ohio
Asia’s mission is to be a community resource center providing information to and services for and about Asian Americans.
http://www.asiainc-ohio.org/index.html

Asian American Community Services (AACS)
57 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Tel: (614) 220-4023
Fax: (614) 220-4024

Asian American Community Services (AACS) is a non-profit community based social service organization primarily serving Asian Americans in Central Ohio. This organization strives to provide advocacy, access, community development and other services. AACS has 11 ongoing programs that cover bilingual ESL, citizenship training, information and referrals (AsiaNet 220-4022), health and mental health, interpreter service and training, DV education, rape prevention education, crime victims assistance, youth leadership training, cultural competency training for service providers, and etc.

Chinese Woman Association of Cleveland
Help to assist women of Chinese and Asian descent on the issues including, but not limited to, gender discrimination, social injustice, domestic violence and economic empowerment. www.chinesewomencleveland.org

Japanese American Society of Northeast Ohio
Promotes relationship and strives to increase understanding between the U.S. and Japan.
www.us-japan.org/jasno/index.html

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) - Cleveland Chapter
Mission is to secure and uphold the human and civil rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry and others and to promote and preserve the cultural heritage and values of Japanese Americans.
www.lkwdpl.org/jacl

Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland
Promotes Korean culture and Korean language school.
www.kaagc.org

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) – Greater Cleveland Chapter
A non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization of concerned Chinese Americans, OCAGC is part of the national OCA, dedicated to securing the rights of Chinese American and Asian American citizens and permanent residents through legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of government.
www.ocagc.org

Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland
Helps Vietnamese refugees resettle in Cleveland.
6516 Detroit Avenue, #15 Phone: 216-664-2319

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