In January 2022, I took on a local role as a Young Life Area Developer focused on helping our region reflect and reach the fast-growing Asian American communities. The demographic changes we saw in schools were not reflecting in our Young Life Area. Cities that were 40% Asian American in the school district were only 15% Asian in Young Life Areas. Four months later in April, I accepted an additional national role as the U.S. Asian Initiative Coordinator which was generously funded by the Global Giving Circle.
THE OUTCOMES OF THE PROPOSAL WE SUBMITTED TO THE GLOBAL GIVING CIRCLE ARE:
● Young Life ministries better represent the student populations they serve
● Sustainable and scalable ministry models published (Student Staff Model)
● 10 new part-time Student Staff starting new ministries
● 4 Regional Trainings equipping 100 staff with awareness and training for ministry with Asian kids
● Annual Roundtable gathering of key Asian staff and initiative stakeholders
● Inaugural Summit gathering of Asian and Asian-focused staff and volunteers
● 300 new Asian kids to Young Life Camp
● 3 cohorts established to support and encourage and retain existing Asian staff
As you can see in the outcomes above, the U.S. Asian Initiative aims to support Young Life across the U.S. to better reach underserved and underrepresented Asian communities. In May, we held our first national Zoom roundtable for AAPI staff and staff who have a vested interest in the initiative.
We will be developing programs to support Asian American staff as well as material and strategies to support Young Life Areas to reach Asian American kids.
Locally, I am working alongside Young Life Area staff in my region. By connecting with local churches and adults, we hope to find potential new hires and volunteer leaders. Also, throughout the past year, I’ve been able to connect and encourage Asian American volunteers in the Greater Seattle area.
With consistent check-ins and hangouts, we’ve been able to encourage Asian American leaders to continue reaching kids in their Young Life Areas. We hope to create more onramps to develop leaders through the U.S. Asian Initiative.
This opportunity is open to all Asian American staff both US and Internationally.
HERE IS WHAT I NEED FROM YOU:
If you know of someone that I can connect with both on YL Staff or in your community, please send me an email.
If YOU would like to learn more and get involved in the US Asian initiative, please email directly HERE.
Written by Peter Lee, North Puget Sound Region