asian american institute's impact fellows program

Here's a cool opporunity for Asian American youth... The Asian American Institute in Chicago is a non-profit, community-based organization that advocates for, empowers, and educates Asian Americans. They're currently looking for young Asian Americans in Illinois who might be interested in their annual summer Impact Fellows Program. Here are some details and guidelines:

The Asian American Institute is accepting applications for its third annual Impact Fellows Program (IFP). IFP seeks to foster the development of young leaders and to create a pipeline of leaders to act as informed and active representatives of the APA community. This program will take place in Chicago from mid June thru early August 2009.

Impact Fellows Program (IFP) is a summer leadership program that incorporates 98 hours of training and 96 hours of internship hours at one of AAI’s Community Partners over a 7 week period. This program helps develop emerging leaders by providing them culturally competent trainings and perspectives which they can incorporate within their own value systems and skill-sets.

For additional information on this program please visit AAI’s website (http://www.aaichicago.org/main_ifp.html).

Fellows' Qualifications:

- Illinois residents (residency or school)
- Aged 17-22
- Demonstrated leadership and/or community service
- Knowledge of, or a desire to learn about, issues facing the APA community.

Deadlines for applications:

Early Deadline: Monday, May 4, 2009 (rolling admissions afterwards until Final Deadline)
Final Deadline: Monday, May 15, 2009
Applicants will be notified of our decision by Week of May 25th.

AAI also invites the participation of Community Partners, which includes community-based organizations, government agencies, and foundations. The Community Partners will host fellows during the internship portion of the program. AAI seeks Community Partners that are nonprofit CBOs or GAs that work directly or indirectly with the APA community.

Like I said, unfortunately, it's only open to Illinois residents. But maybe that's you or someone you know. For more information, download the Impact Fellows Program fact sheet here, and an application here. Or just visit the Asian American Institute website here.