Apply Now for the 2020 LEAD Class!
Deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2020.
For questions, student applicants should contact LEAD staff, Andrea Hyde, directly at Andrea.Hyde@aaci.org or (408) 975-2730 x425.
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 welcomes students of all ethnic, financial and geographic backgrounds.
LEAD Scholarship
LEAD provides enrollment fee scholarships to ensure that the program is accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. Please indicate interest for consideration in application. Refer to the 2018 Low-Income Guidelines (p.6) listed on the application. In addition to completing the application form, please make sure to include the following documents.
Please mail application and all required documents to:
AACI
ATTN: Andrea Hyde
2400 Moorpark Avenue, Ste. 300
San Jose, CA 95128
• Current resume
• Official school transcript
• Personal statement
• Letter(s) of recommendation (optional)
• Parent’s tax return (for scholarship consideration, please black out personal information including social security, etc.)
* If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please do not include the $250 check with your application at this time.
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 relationship, 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
Our Impact
How our wellness programs are serving Santa Clara County.
575
Educated Alumni
90
Collaborations With Partner Offices
9000
New Registered Voters
63000
Internship Hours Served