The Youth Build Immigrant Power Project (YBIP) is a project of Asian Immigrant Women Advocates, created in 1997 to develop the leadership and organizing skills of youth from low-income Asian immigrant families. YBIP (ages 14-21) members work on a range of issues – from fighting against sweatshop working conditions, to ensuring a voice for the immigrant community in Oakland, to teaching garment workers about their health and safety in the workplace.


Like their mothers, immigrant youth face many of the same challenges -- language barriers, poverty, racism and sexism -- making it difficult to advocate for a fair and just society for themselves and their community. In addition, immigrant youth understand the challenges faced by their mothers in sweatshop industries have a direct impact on their lives as young people too.

Youth Build Immigrant Power Project provides four different programs to develop the leadership of immigrant youth:

  1. General meetings provides a safe space after school for immigrant youth to build community and learn about issues in their community.
  2. The Asian Youth United Training Program teaches youth about problems facing immigrant communities and provides leadership skills.
  3. Youth Internships provide hands-on experiences for low-income immigrant youth to develop and work on community projects.
  4. AIWA’s commitment to youth leadership is demonstrated by our Core Leaders Program, which serves as the "governing" body for the youth program. Core Leaders conduct strategic planning for YBIP and develop campaigns in partnership with immigrant women.

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