Asian American Leadership, Empowerment, and Development for Youth and Families (AALEAD) is a bridge between several worlds. It links Asian and American culture, and is a bridge that connects Asian youth and their elders.

AALEAD was founded in 1998 by a young woman whose family fled Vietnam and lived in refugee camps for several years before coming to the United States. While she longed for a place to call home, she grieved what was lost and left behind in her homeland. In starting AALEAD, Sandy Dang turned her losses into gains for many Asian children in Washington, DC. “I want to help Asian American children who are struggling like I did to realize that they can become successful citizens. Through education, they can make their dreams come true.”

AALEAD is a place of discovery. It is a place where children are tutored and supported so they can succeed in school. It is also a place where Asian parents and their children learn to build a community based on shared values and common goals. And it is where Asian Americans discover that they have the power to improve their own lives and the lives of the people around them.

AALEAD Website