Celebrating New American Youth Leadership Council Graduates

Stories from the field | Nov 17, 2023 01:11 am

In 2021, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), a network of 61 immigrant and refugee rights organizations across 40 states, launched the New American Youth Leadership Council (NAYLC) in effort to expand immigrant and refugee youth leadership that grows and sustains the field to advance full inclusion and integration of immigrants, refugees, and all marginalized communities. Since its launch, over 200 immigrant and refugee youth leaders from across 14 states have participated in the NAYLC program, completing leadership development training, coming together each year at an in-person NAYLC youth leadership summit, and leading community events with their local host organizations who are NPNA members.

This past year, We Are All America (WAAA), a campaign of NPNA, had the opportunity to support immigrant and refugee youth organizing by having four youth participate in the NAYLC program. Over nine months of leadership development and community engagement training through NAYLC, We Are All America’s refugee and formerly displaced youth learned organizing, advocacy, and storytelling skills.

On Saturday, June 3rd, NAYLC wrapped up year two of programming and we want to highlight some of the achievements and accomplishments of the youth that participated in the program. These are their stories.

What is the New American Youth Leadership Council?

Melissa Holguín Pineda, NPNA’s Program Manager of the Inclusive Initiatives with a microphone in her hand, introducing NAYLC Cohort Leaders at NIIC 2022. The photo depicts New American Youth Leadership Council (NAYLC) participants at the Youth Leadership Summit at the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference in National Harbor, Maryland in December 2022.
Melissa Holguín Pineda and NAYLC Cohort Leaders at NIIC 2022

“The New American Youth Leadership Council (NAYLC) recruits, trains, and equips immigrant and refugee youth ages 15–20 with leadership skills, networks, and resources that lead to educational, career, and economic opportunities for themselves and their communities. The program is rooted in social justice, racial equity, and skills development by creating invaluable spaces for youth of color to connect and share stories unique to them. Program constituents center their experiences, identify barriers to accessing higher ed and career opportunities, and participate in youth civic engagement opportunities,” said Melissa Holguín Pineda, Program Manager of the Inclusive Initiatives at the National Partnership for New Americans.“The NAYLC program fills a large gap in leadership development catered specifically for immigrant and refugee youth, on ramping them to educational and career pathways with the support of the vast and far-reaching NPNA network.”

What motivated you to join the New American Youth Leadership Council?

“During my short life here in the U.S. I have encountered many obstacles and struggles. Growing up I continued to see these struggles in the immigrant community. This motivated me to step up and get involved in helping my family and community. To learn how to be the voice that is needed,” said Brenda S., an immigrant youth currently residing in Baton Rouge, LA.“For this reason, I became involved with the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) where I have participated in several of their events and am one of LORI’s first participants in their Youth Leadership program. With this program, along with the help of NAYLC, I can become the leader my community needs.”

What was your favorite memory of the NAYLC program?

NAYLC Youth Leadership Summit Participants making posters at the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC) 2022
NAYLC Youth Leadership Summit Participants at NIIC 2022

“My favorite part about NAYLC was getting to connect with everyone at NIIC and hearing about their stories and experiences, it was really empowering and inspiring,” says Alex N., a youth part of the Asian Pacific Development Council (APDC) in Colorado. “Over the course of the NAYLC program, I’ve been able to challenge myself and to go more outside of my comfort zone when connecting with others or participating. I’ve also learned about the value of storytelling and how it applies to me and to others as well.”

What have you learned from the NAYLC classes?

A group of young women sitting around a table. In a hijab, Newal N. of the Asian Pacific Development Center cohort holds a microphone to share her story during the New American Youth Leadership Council Summit at the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference 2022
Newal N. of the Asian Pacific Development Center cohort shares her story during the NAYLC Youth Summit at NIIC 2022

“I have definitely grown as a person mentally and in ways I never thought I would. The program increased my knowledge in very important fields and the summit honestly altered my brain chemistry in the best possible way.” says Newal Nasir, an immigrant youth from APDC. “It allowed me to put myself in new situations and build self confidence, which was extremely important in building my leadership skills. I could voice myself more confidently and be aware of myself and the individuals around me.”

What would you say to someone who might be interested in joining the NAYLC cohort next year?

Students from the Asian Pacific Development Center cohort of NAYLC after their workshop presentation on Story of Self

“I would say go for it. It’s pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me to be my best self and has guided me towards resources I didn’t even know existed for refugee students like myself”, Faye S., a student from the Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ) cohort, who graduated college this year, reflects on her time in NAYLC.