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LEAD

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Unleash your leadership potential - apply now!

To widen the reach of our leadership and civic engagement programs for young individuals, we are waiving the enrollment fee for the 2023 program year. 

Registration is now open for the AACI LEAD program, thanks to the generosity of our funders.

Apply Here!
Empowering young champions

Leaders for Education, Advocacy, and Democracy (LEAD)

Our Mission:

LEAD’s mission is to build the pipeline of socially and culturally conscious leaders and empower youth the be a voice for their generation.

LEAD is a program of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Santa Clara County’s largest community-based organization focused on the Asian community.

Our Vision:

LEAD will develop participants to confront community issues and create lasting change for a greater future.

LEAD will arm students with effective skillsets, real-world experience under the guidance of mentors, and greater awareness of the role of government, nonprofit, and community entities.

LEAD is open to high school students of all backgrounds from within Santa Clara County.

Learn More About LEAD

LEAD INTO FUTURE

With the pandemic, the environment for advocacy and civic engagement changed so much that even the best leaders are figuring out how to adapt for the changing world. The LEAD program has expanded to empower high school students to start preparing their leadership for themselves and others for their communities’ own adaptive challenges!

Our Impact

How our wellness programs are serving Santa Clara County.
605
Educated Alumni
105
Collaborations With Partner Offices
9000
New Registered Voters
63000
Internship Hours Served

LEAD for 2020 Census

Stories from LEAD

What our alumni are saying

Growing up in a low income family, it was difficult to dedicate family funds on my professional and leadership development. I attended many short free or low cost workshops and conferences, but nothing as full-featured as LEAD. Thanks to LEAD’s scholarship program, I was able to benefit from the several month course allowing me to measure my personal growth over time. I made sure to take advantage of every opportunity LEAD offered to learn from and serve my community. I thank LEAD for furthering my love of my community and civic engagement, while providing me with the professional framework to succeed in my professional aspirations.
Andrew Knaack
Intern for Congressman Mike Honda
During my first experiences in a politician’s office exploring the world of political science, one thing became very clear to me: Politicians live an enormously busy life.  The office I worked in, while calm and quiet, was a strong support team. Our responsibility was to make sure the politician we worked under was prepared to serve its constituents.
Sameep Tandon
Intern for Assemblymember Sally Lieber
They connected me with civic leaders and enabled me to ask them questions, build personal relationships, and gain mentors. I learned about different career pathways in public policy, advocacy and service, and built a base of people to support me as I build my pathway.
Disha Banik
Intern for Kaiser Pernamente
I got my life back. I came [to AACI], and they helped me with everything. I was lost. But now I know that I am free and I have my own life.
Sadaf
Behavioral Health Client