Youth Strengthening Youth Program (YSYP)

Youth Strengthening Youth Program (YSYP) is an innovative leadership and peer counseling program for AAPI high school students in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs. YSYP is a selective program that includes some of the finest young scholars and most promising young leaders in the state. Participating youth attend summer camps and ongoing support meetings. All youth are required to engage in and support community service projects.

Now in its’ 25th year of operation, Youth Strengthening Youth Program (YSYP) seeks to train selected Asian American/Pacific Islander (AA/PI) high school students from Boulder, Colorado Spring, and the Denver Metro area in leadership and peer counseling.  There are three very important components that build the foundation of YSYP.  The first component is the annual summer retreat which is a three days two nights event for about 25 students plus 5 adults, making about 30 totals.  The students receive training in topics such as life skills (listening skills, communication skills, organizational skills, substance abuse, violence prevention/healthy relationship, assertiveness, personal identity, and helping people in crisis), leadership skills, team work, and preparing youth to take on small leadership roles, etc.  The second components, is the winter retreat which is smaller and shorter, drawing about 8 selective student leaders plus two volunteers and last for a whole weekend.  The winter retreat offers training in topics the youth feels vitally important about.  It also served as a brief escape from pressure and stress from final exams.  Lastly, this component holds the program year round with continuous trainings, leadership conferences, and contractor speakers/trainers sessions and activities that will continue to help develop and trained these youth to become better strategic leaders.  It is designed to fulfill our goals in development and expand their capability in leading and taking on leadership role at work, at school, in the community, and in their own home.  And also included are community service/projects that will allow our youth to give back to their community.

Contact Jinny Kim

Latest Info About the Youth Strengthening Youth Program

  • 2013 YSYP Winter Camp January 24, 2013

    January 2- January 5, 2013

  • YSYP Dimsum Brunch Fundraiser March 14, 2012

    Date: Saturday, 03/31 Time: 11am-1pm Location: Palace Chinese Restaurant @ 6265 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 80222 Tickets: $35/person; $300/table of 10 RSVP: Ge Thao @ 720.921.5670 | gethao@apdc.org

  • YSYP 2011 Action Plan March 3, 2011

    MARCH 2011: Letters to all the high school for selective interviews of students 1.      Interviewing Student 2.      Interviewing YSYP Senior Mentors APRIL 2011:   Preparing for Summer Retreat 1.      First Monthly Leadersh...

  • Please welcome our new YSYP Program Coordinator! March 3, 2011

    Julia Vang has over five years of experience working with youth programs in Minnesota.  She has served two terms as board member at Hmong International Academy School for their Youth Programs, a Minneapolis Public School and at Community School of Exc...

  • Youth Programs had successful end of year for 2009/2010! June 22, 2010

    Re-LAY Program has successfully ended the 2009/2010 school year with a graduation ceremony on May 26th where parents, mentors, teachers and APDC staff had participated to celebrate the 19 kids that have worked hard throughout the school year.  As...