AALEAD Elementary students joined the Kites of Asia Festival

On March 20, 2010 our Bancroft Elementary School students’ welcomed the spring season by participating in the Kites of Asia Festival at the National Air and Space Museum.

Our students enjoyed making and designing their own Asian kites. They learned different typed of kites from Thailand, Mongolia and even making simple kites from ordinary paper. The students received their written names in Mongolian characters.

This was also an opportunity for some of our parents to have fun with their kids.

Going Green Project with an Intern

I am Juwon Jung from South Korea. I am studying at American University through Washington Semester Program. Washington Semester Program is a diversity program that is composed of seminar and internship. In my case, I am majoring in Architecture Engineering and really interested in city development, environment, and Asian issues. That is why I chose Transforming Communities and I got an internship at AALEAD.
It is a great opportunity for me to work at AALEAD. Especially, I liked the Going Green Project that emphasizes on environments, because I had many experiences in regards to climate and pollution.
My supervisor at AALEAD is Danny. I am will be working with him for 2 months, I am in charge of ETO, office work, organizing file and going green project. My first going green project with the students was making a piggy bank from recycled plastic bottles. It was a great activity to learn about going green. To know the importance of environment is essential factors for children; and also to save money to help the students learn on the importance of savings.

On March 2,.2010, We had this going green project with 3rd graders at Thomson school. It was pretty fun. I showed sample pictures to the children and explained how to make a piggy bank by using empty plastic bottles. The students designed their empty bottles in as they would like it but I was surprised, because most of the students did very well than I thought, even in the example. I could know that they have creative imagination. After we finished the activity, the students expressed that it was so interesting and had fun with other student. I was so happy. My time here at AALEAD has been great so far, I am sure that my rest time at AALEAD will be so good too! Thanks!

2010 AALEAD Annual Dinner!

Wed, March 24, 2010. China Garden held a bustling 400+ guests at AALEAD's 11th Annual Dinner. It was an exciting day, with featured guests Mario Morino and Yul Kwon and wonderful Eun Yang as the master of ceremonies.

A silent auction offered exciting vacation getaways and amazing sporting tickets. Student performances dazzled and moved the crowd. The messages given by our keynote speakers inspired us all. The food was delicious. AALEAD is proud to have such wonderful supporters. THANK YOU!




Thank you Jennie and Harry for these beautiful photographs.

AALEAD's Annual Dinner: The Silent Auction. Take a look!

This year’s auction items are sure to blow your mind. Check out a few of the hottest items below:

Weekend Hotel Package at San Diego Marriott Del Mar – Luxury included

Indulge in world-class accommodations and lavish personal service during your two-night, weekend stay at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, a seaside hideaway 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego and just south of Solana Beach. After bathing in the sun and surfing on the waves, why not soak up the sights and sounds of shopping at the historic Del Mar Downtown Historic Village, exciting events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, golf at Torrey Pines or horse racing at the Del Mar Racetrack? You also won’t want to miss out on the chance to sample sumptuous, award-winning cuisine at the Marriott Del Mar’s trendy restaurant, Arterra. Finally, relax and unwind with cocktails and fresh sushi at the outdoor lounge, as you watch the sun set over the tranquil ocean waters.

Restrictions: Weekend only. Expires May 31, 2010.

Box Suite: Washington Wizards vs. New Jersey Nets

Your hometown Washington Wizards are playing the record-breaking New Jersey Nets on Sunday, April 4th. Bid on 12 suite tickets and see the game from incredible floor seating in the Verizon Center. Enjoy perfect views so close to the game’s action. The tickets include 2 executive suite parking passes.

Restrictions: Limited to the April 4th game

One week vacation in Key West Condo + $1,100 cash for travel expenses

Welcome to Paradise. There is no better way to bask among soaring palm trees, blooming native flowers, and sweeping ocean views than during a week-long vacation at our Truman Annex Condo in Key West, complete with $1,100 cash for all your travel-related needs. Just two blocks from the renowned nightlife of Duval Street, the two-bedroom condo is in an optimal location for the quintessential Key West for all your travel-related needs. With two bedrooms (a queen bed in the master and two twin beds in the guest room), two full bathrooms, a kitchen, family room, in-house laundry facilities, cable, and WiFi, you can bring the whole family along! Stroll from storefront to restaurant to museum all morning, jet ski all around the coast and go diving in America's only living barrier reef, then watch the acts on Mallory Square at sunset. Return home for a relaxing soak in the nearby association pool or your own personal hot tub before drying off on the secluded back deck, replete with comfortable furniture and your very own barbeque grill. Last but not least, cap off your delightful stay with an all-expense-paid fishing trip! Like we said - Paradise.

For more info, check out the website at http://www.athomekeywest.com/bre/properties/Beach-House-Condo/

Restrictions: Must be used by March 1, 2011, Subject to availability, Maximum occupancy of 4, Fishing trip is subject to weather conditions and includes bait, tackle and license fees.

Private Box at the Nationals game with Parking Included

Come see the Washington Nationals and their new #1 draft pick star pitcher Stephen Strasburg! Bid on a complete box suite which includes: 22 tickets, 4 guest passes (allows any 4 friends from other seats to come sit in the suite), and 4 parking passes. Choose from any baseball game this season when the Nationals play potential playoff contention teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, or New York Mets.
Restrictions: Must contact the seller to confirm game date

4-day/3-night Deep Creek Lake Vacation

If there is one place that embodies the romance, serenity and physical beauty of nature on the East Coast, it's Maryland's very own Deep Creek Lake. Enjoy the best vacation you've ever hadwith a 4-day, 3-night stay at a luxurious 5 bedroom home that accommodates up to 14 people. Throughout this handsome cedar chalet perched among the treetops, encounter casually elegant cathedral ceilings, large windows, and a stone fireplace. Escape into complete privacy during a relaxing soak in the master suite’s jetted Jacuzzi, or allow the tranquility of nature to surround you as you enjoy the intimate view from the spacious wraparound deck. Best of all, this hideaway spot is conveniently located, and you'll find restaurants, lake activities and the ski slopes all within 5 minutes away.

For more info, check out the website at http://rentals.deepcreek.com/rental/points-view

Restrictions: Must be redeemed between April 5th and May 10th, 2010, subject to availability.

January through March, 2010 AALEAD Monthly Parent Group Meetings in DC/MD

Majority of immigrant Chinese parents, who participate in AALEAD monthly parent group meetings, have expressed an interest in applying for such public assistance as subsidized housing, utility and/or rental assistance. Those parents, who currently have "green card," also voice a desire to utilize available legal assistance for applying for citizenship. To address these parents' needs and concerns. AALEAD conducted DC Housing "Information and Application" workshop on 1/26/10, through joint efforts with DC Housing Authority and Chinatown Services Center. On 3/17/10, a workshop, for MD parents, on Immigration Legal Assistance took place through partinership with APALRC. APALRC will conduct another workshop on Immigrantion Legal Assistance for AALEAD DC parents, as well as those parents, who receive services from Chinatown Services Center on 3/23/2010. It is noteworthy that a representative from Housing Counseling Services, Inc. was present for the workshop on 1/26/10 to discuss available housing assistance offered by the agency. AALEAD will continue to explore opportunities to work with above mentioned, and other, community partners to identify new ways to better serve immigrant Chinese families.

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Workshop at Thomson Elementary School

Hi, my name is Ji-Hyun Kim and I’m from South Korea. I have been in Washington D.C almost about three months so far. I’m here as a student of Washington Semester Program, which is an internship and seminar program in American University. Because I’m interested with non-profit areas, I got an internship at AALEAD. And I’m sure it was the best choice for me. My supervisor is Kendra, and she suggested me that I can have workshops for elementary school students. And not only children but also me, had a great time. I’m sure rest of my time at AALEAD will be great too!

On February 23rd 2010, Thomson Elementary students participated in an activity called “speed quiz” (a Korean game), and I think all the students enjoyed it!
As there were a lot of students in various ages, we divided into four groups to start the game. The rule of this game is simple. One of group member explains the word on the paper (but you can’t say the word directly), another group member tries to guess what the word is and the other member holds the papers. The winner of the game is the team who can correctly guess the most words!. I was really satisfied with this workshop, because all the students were smiling and laughing while we were doing the game. It was also quite a great experience for me!





After “speed quiz”, we did another game. It is also a Korean game, and it is called “gong gong chil bbang”. After sitting in one big circle, the starter says ‘gong!’ and points to someone else. That person also says ‘gong!’ and points to another person. The next person says “chill!” and points someone else. That person says ‘bbang!’ to another person. And the people right beside the ‘bbang!’ person must raise their hands and shouts ‘u-ak!’ When the game goes faster and faster, it gets more fun!

The Intern Experience at AALEAD!

Hey, my name is Fetsum and I have been interning with AALEAD for about 2 months now. I am an Ethiopian that was born in Kenya but grew up in Michigan. After two years at Western Michigan University I went abroad to Indonesia for a year to do volunteer work and fell in love with the country. I am currently a senior at Eastern Mennonite University, which is in Harrisonburg, VA, and I am studying International Development with a focus in justice, peace, and conflict. As a requirement for my major I have to do a semester internship in DC and my first choice was AALEAD of course.

As an intern with AALEAD I have two supervisors, Rick and Danny. With Rick I have been doing a lot of stuff for the upcoming Annual Dinner, which has been keeping everyone busy. The other part of my internship I have been working at the after-school programs at Thomson and Bancroft, which has been awesome! On Mondays and Tuesdays we have three other interns that come to Thomson. We each have our own group of kids that we tutor and plan activities with. For my group we are in the process of making super heroes and villains out of anything that is reusable. One of the guys in my group, Brandom, decided to take things on a whole different level when he and his father constructed the Dragon out of plastic cups and random plastic silverware. It’s pretty much the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. My time here at AALEAD has been great and I am certain that the rest of my time here will be just as good!

Booz Allen Hosts Dining Etiquette Workshop for AALEAD students!

On March 11th 2010, AALEAD was able to join members from Booz Allen Hamilton for a fun field dinner and dining etiquette workshop.The dinner was held at Commonwealth Gastropub in Columbia Heights. Anne Chiang from Booz was the lead coordinator and brought in a wonderful instructor, Alexandria Kovack (Hospitality Consultant) to teach our students about formal dinner etiquette. The students got to enjoy a three course meal while meeting and interacting with members of Booz Allen. Over the course of dinner, the student got to learn how to navigate the dinner set up, proper posture for eating, and how conversations should be carried out over dinner.





Booz Allen Hamilton put together a wonderful dinner event for our AALEAD students in DC. We at AALEAD greatly appreciate all the effort that Booz Allen Hamilton put in to provide this opportunity to our students. Thank you so much Anne Chiang, Lu Zhang, Julius Seok, and Roger Chen!

Cooking Day: Pakistani Food

On Jan 28^th, Masoora Ali (GLP Coordinator) taught a cooking session on Pakistani food along with how to make "Chicken Karahi and Roti". Everyone one was taught how to roll roti dough and how to serve it with the Chicken Karahi. Students watched a clip of different Pakistani dishes and took a quiz on what they had learned. There was group competition between the girls and boys! After the food was prepared, we had staff members Rick Chen, Lan Thomas, and volunteer Peter Tran act as judges for the competition.

In the end, the girls group won!

AALEAD SSP students go to BETA Academy!

On February 25^th, AALEAD students went to BETA Academy to learn about Muy Thai. Everyone got to hear a little bit about the origins of Muy Thai. Under the instruction of multiple trainers, students got to practice punching combinations and side kicks. The students were very enthusiastic about the class and are looking forward to learning more about Muy Thai in the future.

Celebrating International Women’s day at AALEAD

To review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development, International women’s day is celebrated globally every year on March 8th. AALEAD Girls Leadership program invited Danielle Geong from Feminist Majority Foundation as a guest speaker on March 10th 2010, to talk about women rights particularly API women leaders and their struggle and youth activism.

The workshop aimed at introducing the International Women’s day to the students and to encourage them taking lead in their schools and communities. While discussing about the importance of International women’s day, students were asked if they have any female role model in their lives that they admire. We also had presentations from students on Judy Chu (First Chinese American woman ever elected to the congress), Aung San Suu Ky (Elected prime minister of Burma in 1990), Queen Liliuokalani (last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands who was forced to give up her throne in 1898), Maya Lin (famous Chinese American architect, who designed the Vietnam War Memorial at the age of 21).

Students also had a chance to discuss about the issues that they are facing either at school or community level. So they wrote letters to the congresswoman Elenor Holmes Norton. Over all it was very informative and inspiring session and students really enjoyed writing the letter and the idea of taking responsibility in order to make a change in the society.

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