Asian American Resource Center Youth and Teen Programs

Through fun and interactive activities using Asian American literature, visual and performance arts, and multimedia, kids and teens have the unique opportunity to participate in an array of cultural workshops, gain leadership skills, and connect with others in the community.

Youth Voices Rising

Youth Voices Rising is an 8-week leadership academy for youth to explore the history and culture of Asian Pacific American in the United States through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education. Students will learn to use mathematics, data, and statistics to analyze historical events while connecting with their backgrounds. Materials and snacks provided. This is a free program that is open to all.

Participant Grades: Grades 6-8
Registration Fees: Free, no cost
Class Dates: October 11, 2025 to December 13, 2025 (with breaks on November 1 and November 30)
Class Times: Saturdays, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Location: Asian American Resource Center at 8401 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78754

Registration is open! Find more information and register here: Youth Voices Rising - Google Forms

Please note, registration is on a first-come basis. Registration will close once we reach the maximum number of registrants.

For more information about the AARC or program, contact Van Doan at Van.Doan@austintexas.gov.

Rooted & Rising | Asian American Teen Empowerment

Rooted & Rising, a collaboration with Asian Texans for Justice*, is happening Saturday, September 6 from 10:00am-2:00pm at the AARC! This full-day workshop is designed for rising 8th through 11th-grade students to explore how they can advocate for themselves, build stronger relationships, and make a meaningful impact in their community. Due to limited seats, registration is required. Register and find more details here!

*This event is in collaboration with Asian Texans for Justice 501(c)(3).

Teen Mentorship Program

Apply for the AARC’s Teen Mentorship Program (TMP)! As part of this cohort, mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to engage with like-minded peers, meet local Asian American professionals in our community, and learn about Asian Pacific American history and culture. To close out the program, the cohort will implement their skills and connections to plan and execute a capstone project to present at the family showcase.

Limited spaces are available. This is an unpaid, volunteer-based opportunity. Transportation is not provided. 

Program Dates: January 17 - April 11, 2026*
Application Dates: September 1 - September 30, 2025. Applicants can expect to receive notification of selection by early December.
Cost: Free, no cost
Location: Asian American Resource Center at 8401 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78754

*Dates are subject to change depending on program needs.

What you'll get as a mentee (Overview):

One-on-one mentorship!
Resume building opportunities!
Volunteer service hours!

Mentor and Mentee Requirements (Overview):

Mentee grades: 10-12
Mentee ages: 15-18 by start of program
Mentors: Adult professionals who reside in Austin or surrounding area.

Mentees apply here.

Mentors apply here.

FAQ for Mentees

What is the Teen Mentorship Program?

It is a one-of-kind opportunity for youth to connect with an adult professional to explore Asian American culture and identity, career paths, and community engagement.

What do mentees receive from the program?

Each youth participant will be paired with an adult professional, who can provide one-on-one mentorship.
Discussions on Asian American identity, history, and culture
Opportunities to learn more about public service with the City of Austin, career development, project planning, and community outreach
Opportunity to present a final capstone project at an end-of-program family showcase
Upon request, mentees will receive a certificate of completion and a written letter of recommendation to use for future college applications.
Hours that can be used towards volunteer/Community Service Hours

Who is eligible to apply to be a mentee?

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors ages 15 –18 (by start of program) who reside in Austin or surrounding towns.

What is the application process?

Applications can be submitted from September 1 to September 30. In the application, provide a short essay about your interest in being part of TMP and your experience engaging with the Asian American community. Top applicants will be selected for a virtual interview. Selected applicants will be informed by early December.

Does someone have to identify as Asian American to apply?

This is a City of Austin program. Anyone who meets the age and residence criteria can apply. However, the program’s content is designed to center Asian American experiences.

What is required of mentees if they are accepted to the program?

This is a four-month program that starts on January 17 and ends on April 11, 2026. Mentees are expected to meet in-person at the AARC weekly, on Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. Participants will have three Saturdays off (dates TBD). Dates are subject to change depending on program needs. While attendance is mandatory, we understand mentees may have other obligations that may conflict with the TMP schedule. We encourage you to still apply and reach out to us with additional questions.
Mentees are expected to participate in a group capstone project and present it at an end-of-program family showcase. Attending the family showcase is mandatory.

FAQ for Mentors

What is the Teen Mentorship Program?

It is a one-of-kind opportunity for youth to connect with an adult professional to explore Asian American cultural identity, career paths, and community engagement.

What do mentors do and receive from the program?

Experience providing one-on-one mentorship
Discussions on identity, history, and our relationship with these topics
Help your mentee gain a clearer understanding of career interests and post-high school paths by providing support and guidance
Encourage your mentee to engage with community in different ways, such as volunteering, collaboration, etc., by sharing your experience and expertise
Facilitate your mentee’s growth in their Asian American identity and as an Austin Asian American community member through conversation and reflection
Guide the mentee through their individual capstone project and coaching/troubleshooting with them as needed; mentors will not take an active role in the project.

Who is eligible to apply to be a mentor?

Adult professionals who expresses understanding of Asian American history, culture, and identity and reside in Austin or surrounding towns.

What is the application process?

Applications can be submitted from September 1 to September 30. In the application, provide a short answer about your interest in being part of TMP and your experience engaging with the Asian American community. Top applicants will be selected for a virtual interview. Selected applicants will be informed by early December.

Does someone have to identify as Asian American to apply?

This is a City of Austin program. Anyone who meets the age and residence criteria can apply. However, the program’s content is designed to center Asian American experiences.

What is required of Mentors if they are accepted to the program?

This is a four-month program that starts on January 17 and ends on April 11, 2026. Mentors are expected to meet in-person at the AARC bi-weekly (every other week), on Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. Dates are subject to change depending on program needs. While attendance is mandatory, we understand mentors may have other obligations that may conflict with the TMP schedule. We encourage you to still apply and reach out to us with additional questions.
Mentors will be required to complete and pass a Criminal Background Check, as mandated by the City of Austin.

Teen Mentorship Program | Spring 2025 Recap This spring semester was the second year of our Teen Mentorship Program (TMP) at the AARC! Throughout the semester, teen mentees and working professional mentors met bi-weekly to learn from one another, connect on shared lived experiences, and learn about Asian American History. The TMP cohort enjoyed the program’s intergenerational aspect and being able to share stories and guidance about life journeys. The semester ended with the cohort showcasing their capstone project, an intergenerational fashion magazine and intergenerational quilt that represented the community’s journey of mental health and wellbeing, at our annual CelebrASIA Austin festival.

Other Resources

Austin's Co-Creators focused on Asian American Austinite Isamu Taniguchi’s life and the garden he built at the City of Austin’s Zilker Botanical Gardens. They co-created a one page informational poster with an interactive zine project on the other side to help guide students on how they can connect their stories of home and family to local and national Asian American History. Educators and students can use the resource either as a historical informational poster highlighting one of the lesser known community leaders in Austin history or use the other side of the poster’s interactive zine project to help guide students in reflective, critical thinking prompts that help form these connections.

Learn more about the project at the Co-Create Initiative.

Download the in-color version [PDF]
Download the black & white version [PDF]

Page last updated: August 13, 2025