Mission Statement

To empower youth and young professionals by promoting leadership development, civic engagement, and multicultural understanding while building awareness of issues facing the Asian American community.

History

Originally organized in 1989 by concerned Asian parents, Youth Leadership Council has now evolved to include a core group of young professionals, college students, and community leaders who dedicate themselves to foster leadership skills among the Asian American youth in Greater Houston.

Each year the Council sponsors a conference that offers high school students a unique opportunity to develop skills for future leadership. In the past, financial support for this conference, as well as the Council, has been received from foundations, community organizations, area businesses, educational institutions and other individuals who believe in the goals of the conference.

The Annual Conference

Since its founding 28 years ago, the conference has helped almost 4,000 students realize their individual potentials as leaders of tomorrow. In the past, the main goals have been identifying and addressing the common problems facing the Asian community, discovering how leadership and community are interrelated, and discussing problems facing the younger generation.

Utilizing the talents and experiences of college students and young professionals to facilitate small group discussions and to serve as mentors of the high school participants, the conference incorporates various topic-related exercises and activities to enhance and reinforce leadership skills and ideals. The conference also gathers prominent members of the community to inspire Asian high school students to develop leadership qualities as well as to pursue leadership positions.

Because of the diversity of those involved in the planning of this enormous undertaking, the conference experience will prove to be a unique and rewarding time for all who are involved, since it serves as a training ground for young leaders who desire to give back to their community.

Powered by Volunteers

Every YLC Conference is planned, organized, and executed by unpaid volunteers. The Executive Board, General Board, Mentors, and Conference Volunteers whole-heartedly give their time and energy to making every Conference a success.

A good portion of the mentors and volunteers participated in previous conferences as students – they realize YLC’s importance to the Asian American community, and they want to ensure that the next generation will carry on the skills and values that YLC has to teach. Today, nearly all of the YLC Board members grew up with YLC – during high school they attended Conference as students, and they served as mentors during college (and early working years).

If you are interested in volunteering with YLC, please visit either of the following pages: Become a Mentor or Become a Volunteer.