Mission
This educational program is a social impact project that guides high school students to identify, research and analyze social/community issues and propose innovative policy recommendations/solutions or business plans. Our goal is to encourage active participation of AAPI students in public affairs, increase civic engagement and impact of AAPI communities, promote personal development of AAPI youth and provide them with a bright future.
Overview
Since its inception in 2022, the Civic Engagement & Leadership Program has received significant support from numerous legislators. They have actively supported our Civic Engagement Program in letters and videos, encouraging young people to participate. At the awards ceremony on November 18, 2023, 23 legislators and elected officials, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman David Trone, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congressman Gerry Connolly, Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller, Secretary of State Susan Lee, and other MD legislators, signed 36 commendations and congratulatory letters for the students and the Yuan Foundation.
In May 2023, Yuan Foundation became the SSL certifying organization for MCPS in Maryland and can grant appropriate SSL hours to participating students. On December 11, 2023, the Yuan Foundation achieved the status of “Presidential Volunteer Service Award Certifying organization” and is thus able to record volunteer hours and apply for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for them. Students who participate in Yuan Foundation’s volunteer services are expected to receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, one of the most prestigious community volunteer certifications in the country.
In addition, Yuan Foundation is currently planning to become a Congressional Award partner organization. We plan to combine the Civic Engagement and Leadership Program with the Congressional Award to provide integrated services to AAPI students throughout the United States, ensuring that the two projects can be organically combined and provide maximum learning and development opportunities.
Projects in 2024
In 2024, the Yuan Foundation will continue its civic engagement and leadership projects and offer a volunteer program in addition to the two previous competitions. Various forms of awards are available, and the threshold for participation is low, allowing AAPI-HS students to choose which part of this educational program they would like to participate in based on their own interests and schedule.
1.Volunteer projects
AAPI students will participate in a survey on social issues conducted by the Yuan Foundation. They will conduct interviews with relevant people and summarize, organize and analyze the information collected. The Yuan Foundation will award SSL hours for volunteer services based on the number of social survey forms returned by students and the time they spend on related activities, such as creating and editing videos. In addition, the Yuan Foundation will apply for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the Congressional Award on behalf of participants.
2.Two competitions
1) “Write to Your Representatives” program
The Yuan Foundation launched the “Write to Your Representatives” program in 2022 to achieve its goal through civic engagement and leadership training. It is a valuable social impact program that encourages high school students to participate in civic activities, advocate for important issues, make their voices heard, and have a positive impact on their community and the world.
High school students will identify, research, and analyze community or social issues. They will then compare these problems to existing policies and propose innovative solutions. This initiative aims to improve their civic engagement and leadership skills, empowering them to actively contribute to and positively impact their community.
For more information , please visit the ”Write to your Representative” website
2) “Yes! Young Entrepreneurs Solutions: Business Plan Competition”
ILF (International Leader Foundation) and Yuan Foundation have been successfully organizing the AAPI Business Plan Competition annually since 2018, the “ILF Entrepreneurship and Innovation Contest” from 2018 to 2021 and “Yes! Young Entrepreneurs Solutions: Business Plan Competition” from 2022 onwards. Our goal is to empower high school students to develop innovative business ideas that have a positive impact on society and the community. This competition is designed to provide a platform for aspiring next-generation entrepreneurs to present their ideas and improve their soft skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
For more information, please visit the “Yes! Young Entrepreneurs Solutions: Business Plan Competition” website.
Timeline 2024
– From May to Aug 31 Registration period:
– Sep 1 Submission of competition entries
– Sep 28. Final of the “Write to your Representatives Contest”
– Oct 5 Final of the “Yes! Young Entrepreneurs Solutions: Business Plan Competition” Final
– Announcement of the final results:
- Oct 2 “Write to your Representatives” Contest”
- Oct 9 “Yes! Young Entrepreneurs Solutions: Business Plan Contest”
– Nov 16 Annual award ceremony
Support Videos from Legislators and elected officials
Delegate Chao Wu
Delegate Linda Foley
Congressman David Trone met with student representatives on Capitol Hill
Success Stories
The short videos of Awards winners , presenting their unique perspective, their experiences and what they gained from participating in the competition
2023 Annual Awards Ceremony
2022 Annual Awards Ceremony
Registration Information
The total cost of the contest is $80 per participant, including registration fee and training fee.
About us
Host: Yuan Foundation
Contact Email: haiyan_mei@yuan.foundation
Partner: To The Top Education Group (TTT)
Sponsors
Supporters
