The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program Applications Now Available Online



Applications are now available online for the fourth Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program. Applications may be downloaded directly from the Nikkei Federation website at www.nikkeifederation.org/risingstars/index.html and are available for students who are currently enrolled in high school. All applications must be postmarked by September 29th, 2006.

The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program is a leadership development and cultural education program for high school students sponsored by the Nikkei Federation. It is designed to train leaders and to inspire youth involvement in the Japanese American community by presenting a series of active, engaging workshops on a variety of leadership topics.

The workshops are led by a group of community leaders and experts from a variety of backgrounds and industries. The workshops cover topics geared towards developing leadership skills and increasing understanding of the Japanese American culture and history, including effective presentation skills; assertiveness training; time management; networking; and, career development. As part of the program, students are required to apply their newly developed skills to complete a group project that will benefit the Japanese American community in Southern California.

The Rising Stars Program sessions will be held on selected Saturdays from November 4, 2006 through March 31, 2007 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles.

The program is limited to a maximum of 25 students. Applicants will be evaluated based on set criteria, including past involvement in volunteer or community activities and an interest in cultivating an ongoing relationship with the Japanese American community. The cost of the program is $100, which includes breakfast and lunch at all sessions.

Funding support for The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program has been provided by companies, foundations, civic organizations and individuals, including: Academy Escrow, Inc.; Amplifon, USA.; David & Pearl Louie Family Foundation; Hollywood Dodgers Youth Sport Association; Ito Farms; Sakura Restaurant; San Fernando Valley JACC Athletics; The Pacific Bridge Companies; Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.; United Parcel Service; Richard Wong & Associates; The Rafu Shimpo, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center; and, Fukui Mortuary.

For more information or to request an application by mail, contact Bryan Takeda at the Nikkei Federation at (626) 755-7957.

About the Nikkei Federation
The Nikkei Federation is a nonprofit organization that fosters dialogue in the Japanese American community -- in all its diversity -- and promotes information regarding Japanese American cultural programs and services throughout the greater Southern California area. The Nikkei Federation provides common ground for the mutual understanding and education of Japanese and Japanese American arts, culture and values to the community. It also serves the public by coordinating and promoting Japanese American cultural programs and activities as well as providing services through various educational and community development programs and activities.





The Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program Applications Now Available Online