A Youthful Energy Boost
New projects for APA high schoolers and college students in the PSW district are helping to revitalize JACL's efforts to increase youth membership.
Craig Ishii's been in meetings all morning and his day planner shows he's scheduled for a couple more before the day is over. An impromptu interview with the Pacific Citizen is likely the last thing this 23-year-old needs but he manages to squeeze us in during a brief lunch.
"Is it okay if I grab a quick sandwich first?"
No problem. After all, getting in a moment's time with one of the youngest-ever regional directors of the JACL Pacific Southwest District isn't easy these days. Eight months after taking helm of the district, he's already implemented a number of new projects all with one goal in mind: making JACL relevant to today's Asian Pacific American youth.
"Everyone is realizing if we want to survive we have to do this, this, and this," said Ishii, noting that one "this" is outreaching to and recruiting APA youth. "We are slowly moving this machine, and we are moving towards this change."
A few years ago Ishii had never even heard of JACL but today he is one of its most energetic spokespeople, something his college friends are growing accustomed to.
"When I tell my friends [about JACL] they say, 'Oh, what's that?'" but they've "been receptive" when he asks them to consider joining or volunteering their time, said the recent University of California, Los Angeles graduate. "People I ask are people who know me. JACL is similar to NSU (Nikkei Student Union). You just have to show them why the organization is good."
One person he's managed to convince is Sen Sugano, 21, a Public Policy, Planning and Development major at the University of Southern California. At a recent Buddhist conference Ishii approached Sugano to consider helping out with some of JACL's youth programs.
In the past few months the two have collaborated on "Project: Community" - a Little Tokyo internship for high schoolers that's set to start in June - and "Project: Campus Leadership," leadership training sessions for college students interested in community advocacy.
"I've definitely gained a better understanding of community; you really don't know about it until you work here," said Sugano. "I've gained a real passion and understanding of community, of advocacy and the power of our voices."
Calling All APA Youth
"There was a blatant need we saw," said Ishii, about the soon to be launched "Project: Community."
When it comes to Little Tokyo, the topic of gentrification is on everyone's lips especially with the recent acquisition of major hotels and shopping plazas in the two largest Japantowns by those considered to be outside investors. But it's also an issue that many APA high schoolers are unaware of.
"They really don't know what's going on. They are losing that community connection to Little Tokyo because everyone is spread out and not in touch," said Sugano. With "Project: Commuity!" we hope to "empower the youth voice."
Although there are a number of internships for APA college students, very few programs exist for high schoolers. "Project: Community" - an eight-week summer internship at the PSW district office - is designed to educate high schoolers about community issues, identity, and advocacy. PSW JACL is sponsoring the project along with the Nikkei Federation's Rising Stars program.
"Wouldn't it be awesome if high schoolers went off to college already wanting to get to know the community, why we need to preserve community?" said Ishii. Instead of having to learning about community from scratch during their first two years of college, "they would have the entire four years to work on community projects."
"Project: Campus Leadership" will be for those APA college students interested in a closer connection with the community, especially community advocacy.
Ishii and Sugano have both benefited from involvement in their respective Nikkei Student Unions and they are tapping into the wide NSU network to develop "Project: Campus Leadership." By accessing the leadership of NSUs across the country, JACL hopes to bring leadership training seminars to help promote community advocacy.
"They have energized the district, brought young people to be active in the district," said Carol Saito, a national staffer in the PSW district office for the past 28 years. "It's been a really great experience."
Not Your Grandparents' JACL
Three weeks ago Ishii attended the JACL Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference and like many attendees, both past and present, he's come back to Los Angeles invigorated and brimming with new ideas.
"One of the things I realized is how much political capital JACL has," he said.
Ishii is already talking about a possible voter registration drive, mobilizing the district's membership to take a more active role in advocacy, and signing up new members.
During the recent 2009-2010 budget discussions, the need for a youth director was raised by the national JACL staff. Although there weren't enough funds in 2009, the position was funded for 2010.
"I think it is so cool," said Ishii. "We are going to move one knot below the speed of light, but after we get this youth director we are going to move at the speed of light."
"It would be great if successes from any one district could be shared with other districts. That would be a wonderful flow of information," said Alayne Yonemoto, PSW district governor. "We know that not everything works for every district, but it is worth a try if it will engage and inspire youth and young professionals to identify with JACL.
"It's no longer your grandparents' organization."
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