FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2006 

CONTACT:
Hung Nguyen (877) 592-4140

NATIONAL CONGRESS OF VIETNAMESE AMERICANS (NCVA) PREPARE TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY
“Modern Day Trail Blazers”

(PRWeb) The Vietnamese American Community continues to grow and needs dynamic young people with leadership skills and the vision to lead. Addressing this need and creating an impact on the political, economic and social spectrums, the Vietnamese American Youth Leadership Conference (VAYLC) harnesses the energy of young Vietnamese and Asian Pacific American students and professionals by convening them in Washington, D.C. for a summit on June 21-24, 2006.

“Leadership is never being too old to dream of what might be. How can we develop our voices and act wisely? The Vietnamese American Youth Leaders Conference is a unique opportunity to learn about issues vital to the APIA community and to enhance self-development, communications, and team-building skills of young adult leaders. State Farm® is proud to sponsor this program that builds a stronger Vietnamese American community,” said Dr. Leslie Moe-Kaiser, State Farm® Corporate Communications and External Relations.

VAYLC provides a forum for young Asian Americans to discuss national and local issues and establish a network for young leaders to meet and exchange ideas and information. VAYLC seeks to prepare young professionals and students to become public leaders in their communities.

"Citibank is committed to helping make communities where we do business better places because we are there," said Keith Wright, Director of Community Relations for Citibank in Washington, DC. "We are pleased to strengthen this commitment by supporting the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans' Leadership Program knowing that so many young people will benefit from the experience they have here in DC."

The four-day summit includes workshop sessions emphasizing leadership skills, public speaking, team building, financial literacy, service-learning and how to write grants. Participants will visit Congress, tour the Capitol, attend special briefings, and enjoy a multi-course gala dinner. Experienced professionals, scholars and activists will lead the interactive sessions.

“As a conference sponsor, Freddie Mac is helping to prepare today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders, and give them a forum to discuss the needs of their community,” said Christina Diaz-Malone, Freddie Mac Director of National Initiatives.

VAYLC participants from around the United States share their thoughts:

“I’ve become less timid and my leadership and communication have improved tremendously. All thanks to VAYLC.”

“This year I helped facilitate a leadership conference for Asian American youth. I also volunteered with Catholic Charities and helped mentor new refugee children from Vietnam, Liberia, and Burma as they adjust to life in the States. Thanks VAYLC for opening doors for me!”

“The VAYLC conference is by far the best conference I have attended for college students. I value the workshops held last summer at both the Democratic Party and Republican Party headquarters because the speakers reminded me about why I support the political party I do, and helped me understand different paradigms of viewing the same issue.”

Hung Nguyen, President of the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA), says, “Surveys of VAYLC participants show: 83% are using skills and knowledge they have acquired; 68% are sharing their skills and knowledge with others; 55% have interned at a government agency, corporation or nonprofit organization; and 39% have increased their community involvements. The answer to the question of ‘Are VAYLC participants having an impact on the community?’ is YES.”

NCVA invites young students and professionals to attend VAYLC on June 21-24, 2006. Registration fees are $50 (conference only) and $150 (conference and lodging). Fees include all conference materials and meals.

VAYLC is sponsored by Citibank, Freddie Mac, State Farm®, SunTrust, AnviCom, Asian American Press, BN Magazine, Vietnamese American Television, International Leadership Foundation, Moonlight Group, Retina Studios, Spectrum Knowledge and Youth Service America.

To learn more about VAYLC, please contact us at 202-496-1401 or visit us on the web at www.vaylc.org.

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Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America –  ;e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.  (www.ncvaonline.org)