[San Jose, CA] On January 20, 2016 Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)’s Leaders for Education, Advocacy, and Democracy (LEAD) was awarded $10,000 for LEAD financial aid scholarships from the 50 Fund, the Legacy Fund of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee.

LEAD will now be able to provide additional students with scholarships to its LEAD 2016 class. Lead will reopen applications for students who qualify for the financial aid scholarship. Qualification is based on 2015 Health and Human Services Low-Income Guidelines and can be found in the LEAD application or at aspe.hhs.gov/2015-poverty-guidelines.

LEAD is a 6-month youth leadership program for high school students that spans from spring until the end of summer. LEAD empowers youth to be active in their communities. Students undergo a series of skills and leadership trainings to help them critically assess social issues in their community and design viable solutions. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with corporate and public partners and prepare for the professional world. Students are paired with one of our 40+ government and advocacy-based partner offices to receive hands-on experience working with professionals as well as gaining vital networking and public-speaking skills.

A past LEAD student said, “Through looking at current events from all angles, LEAD has taught me to appreciate what I have, and that we as youth have the power to change these horrible conditions…I can’t help but think of the positive change we’d see in public policy in the future if all youth went through LEAD.”

For more information and a copy of the application, contact Advocacy Associate, Ann Marie Tran at (408) 975-2730 x 425 or Annmarie.tran@aaci.org.

Download PDF: LEAD Scholarship Press Release