Our programming invests in and empowers Southeast Asian youth to fully bloom into the leaders that advance justice in our communities and sustain the movement.
KGA believes in the leadership of Southeast Asian youth to create social change.
Our comprehensive leadership programs focus on holistic youth development, political education, and hands- on learning in planning and leading events, campaigns, and cultural strategies. Members always start in our introductory programs (YWEP & YMEP) and then advance to the next tiers (YOLB, KJP, SOI).
Upon completing our core programs, students will sharpen their analysis on race, class, gender, sexuality and culture. They will lead and inform campaign strategies, mobilize a progressive bloc of young BIPOC voters, organize their families and peers to take action, and shape narrative landscape through story-telling, public speaking, multimedia, and cultural arts.
Students would have also completed high school GE’s and would either be on track to higher education, have job-readiness skills, be registered and ready to vote, and have opportunities to continue their work in advancing social justice.
Leadership Development for Southeast Asian Youth
When we invest in the leadership of Southeast Asian women and youth, we uplift the disparities, needs, and opportunities that can oftentimes go unnoticed because of sexism and harmful stereotypes like the Asian American model minority myth.
Young Women’s Empowerment Program (YWEP)
A safe space for freshmen and sophomores to build sisterhood. They learn about themselves, explore issues on gender and reproductive justice, and create positive change in our communities!
Young Men’s Empowerment Program (YMEP)
A safe space for freshmen and sophomores to build brotherhood. They learn about themselves and explore issues on gender justice, healthy masculinity, and create positive change in our communities!
Youth Organizing Long Beach (YOLB)
After completing YWEP or YMEP, sophomores, juniors graduate into YOLB where they develop organizing skills and apply it to campaigns.
Khmer Justice Program (KJP)
Juniors and seniors in this program deepen their political analysis and apply their organizing to lead campaigns.
Summer Organizing Institute
A summer intensive program open to all members in our core leadership programs once they have completed YWEP & YMEP. This space allows them to build relationships with youth from other leadership cohorts, deepen their political education, and plan base building strategies for fall recruitment.
General Youth Membership Programs:
Khmer Club
A student-led club at Poly where youth gain hands-on experience in base building, planning activities and events for Club Rush, International Faire, Homecoming, and more. The club brings visibility to Khmer youth on campus and increases active and engaged learning that builds a positive school climate.
Cultural Historical Arts (CHA)
A multimedia arts, culture, and storytelling program that is integrated into our core leadership curriculum and stands as its own program. Student work is featured at our annual youth and culture event, Yellow Lounge, as well as on social media platforms, online and print publications, and at community events.
LIFE Program
All core leaders are enrolled in our LIFE Program where they receive supplemental academic and social-emotional support. This program offers youth from immigrant refugee families the holistic support needed to heal so they can advance in leadership pathways that lead to economic stability & mobility.
