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.

2025 Youth Camps

The ESB MACC's "Siembra" Spring Break Camp is the week of March 17-21, 2025 at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC). Registration will be on the online registration database starting on February 8, 2025 at 10:00am for residents. Get ready to register and don't hesitate to join the waitlist if needed! The cost of the one-week Spring Break camp is $140.

All information about the ESB MACC's annual Summer Camp will be updated on the ESB MACC Education page and on the Parks & Recreation Summer Camp website & online registration database. Please continue to check those webpages for more details as the information is being updated daily.

Teen Mentorship Program • Spring 2025

Are you a High School junior or senior looking to gain leadership skills, engage in networking opportunities with local Asian American community leaders, or simply want to give back to our community? Are you an adult professional in Austin wanting to pass on your perspective and expertise to the younger generation?

Apply for the AARC’s mentorship program for teens! As part of this cohort, mentee participants will engage with likeminded peers and connect with local professionals, with opportunities for growing in cultural identity, career path, community engagement, and intergenerational perspective. The cohort will then implement their skills and connections to complete a capstone project that will be showcased during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May!

Mentee applicants must be a current Junior or Senior in High School. Limited spaces available. Selected participants must be able to attend weekly Saturday meetings and actively participate in the capstone planning, implementation, and day of event. This is an unpaid, volunteer-based opportunity. Transportation is not provided.

Mentor roles are volunteer-based and unpaid. Limited spaces available. If accepted, a background check will be required. Selected mentors must be able to dedicate 20-30 hours over the course of the program to attending meetings and the final capstone event in May.

Apply Now - MENTEES Apply Now - MENTORS

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 cultural 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 the AARC’s annual CelebrASIA signature event to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Receive a certificate of completion and a written letter of recommendation to use for future college and employment applications.

Can use the program towards volunteer/Community Service Hours.

Who is eligible to apply to be a mentee?

High school juniors and seniors, age 16 –18 years old (by start of program) and resides in Austin or surrounding towns.

What is the application process?

Applications can be submitted from October 1 to October 31. In the application, provide a short essay about your interest in being part of the mentorship program 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?

As 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?

Mentees are expected to meet in-person at the AARC, weekly on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. from late January to May 3. While attendance is mandatory, we understand mentees may have other scheduling obligations. We encourage you to still apply and reach out to us for additional questions.

Mentees are expected to participate in a group, capstone project that will culminate in an in-person presentation at the AARC in May for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Attendance at the event 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 receive from the program?

Provide one-on-one mentorship.

Discussions on identity, history, and our relationship with it.

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 cohort in coming up with ideas for their final 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 professional who expresses understanding of Asian American history, culture, and identity and resides in Austin or surrounding towns.

What is the application process?

Does someone have to identify as Asian American to apply?

As 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?

Mentors are expected to meet in-person at the AARC, bi-weekly on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. from late January to May 3. While attendance is expected, we understand mentors may have other scheduling obligations. We encourage you to still apply and reach out to us for additional questions.

Mentors will be required to complete and pass a Criminal Background Check, as mandated by the City of Austin.

Youth Voices Rising • Fall 2024

An 8-week leadership academy for Asian American Middle School aged youth to explore the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Students will learn to use the tools of mathematics, data, and statistics to analyze historical events and ask questions about their own personal histories. Materials and snacks provided. $25 (Resident) / $50 (Non-Resident) Registration Fee required. Registration deadline has been extended to Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Class Dates: Every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from October 12 through December 7 (except Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov 30)

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: January 31, 2025