Malden, Mass., July 2, 2015, — –Upon hearing an announcement in the Malden High School (MHS) cafeteria, students Lindsay Trannguyen, Nicole Baltazar and Yuki Cheung decided to sign up to join the youth leadership team of the Malden Asian American Community Coalition (MAACC), an organization that seeks to determine the needs of Asian residents in an effort to better serve the community. Nine months later, the three students are among 18 MHS Asian-American youth who worked to complete a significant needs assessment project geared towards the Asian community.
Mayor Gary Christenson (center), MHS Principal Dana Brown (back row, second from left) with members of the Malden Asian American Community Coalition(provided to bostonese.com).
With the generous support of the Asian Healthcare Foundation, MAACC recruited and trained the youth leaders in research, survey design, and data collection. The MAACC coalition includes community leaders and activists from Asian Spectrum, Chinese Culture Connection, Wah Lu Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy, and others. The youth leaders collected over 566 surveys and interviewed over 30 residents on their experiences and thoughts regarding safety, youth and adult education, elderly services, family and mental health.
Their efforts were recently recognized at a Youth Leadership Showcase and Community Partners Appreciation event at Commerce Place where MAACC members and youth leaders presented an overview of their program and findings. Harvard University graduate Debbie Chen collaborated with the coalition and together the youth shared findings with their families and community partners including the Malden Public Library, Mystic Valley Elder Services, South Cove, Mayor Gary Christenson, Preotle Lane, and MHS Principal Dana Brown. Youth leaders discussed their experiences and how through this MAACC effort they learned valuable communication and leadership skills. The students also created artistic visual pieces depicting their MAACC experiences and what Malden means to them.
Senior Yuki Cheung who immigrated to Malden from China when she was five years old explained the meaning behind her artwork; a set of hands cherishing a flame and a tree in the background, “This picture represents our community. The tree is the life of our community and the hands of our people keeping the flame going bright and alive. It gives energy to us and keeps us growing and changing into something better. Malden has been changing and will always keep on changing as the years go by. Malden keeps growing with people working and contributing with their great ideas, such as the Youth Pass Pilot Program, which is supported by Mayor Christenson.” All 18 youth participants received scholarships and certifications for their efforts.
The MAACC Youth leaders’ artwork will be displayed at Commerce Place, 150 Main Street during the month of August for the community to view.