SEEDS SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

Student Engagement and Education for Development and Success

Abstract gradient background with warm colors blending from peach to orange and yellow, featuring soft blurry edges.

Michelle Nguyen (‘24 SEEDS Mentee)

“Each week, I felt more and more connected with my family and welcomed by my community.”

Abstract blurred image with warm colors including orange, yellow, and red, with soft rounded shapes and smooth gradient transitions.

Thomison Le (‘24 SEEDS Mentee)

“SEEDs helped me to reconnect with my Vietnamese roots and learn the importance of representation and heritage.”

All About SEEDS

What is SEEDS?

SEEDS is a summer youth program designed to train and grow future community leaders who can address community issues through hands-on programming experience.
Participants will work to create sustainable solutions to challenges such as discrimination and anti-AAPI hate, developing essential advocacy skills along the way.

WHO can join?

Youth ages 14-24, from high school to college, are encouraged to join the program.
Apply to participate in the 2026 SEEDS program here!

Showcase event

Participants will collaborate to present a community-engaged, issues-based project of their choice.
The project will be showcased at a public event.
The event is open to family, friends, and community members.

What You'll Learn

Hands-on programming experience
Community spaces and workshops
Planning sessions
Mentorship from VAR professionals

Additional resources for students

Participants will receive mentorship from VAR professionals, gaining expertise and strategies for effective community action throughout the summer.
VAR will provide travel expense reimbursement for students with financial need.
Ten $100 scholarships will be available for students attending the majority of sessions.
All program materials (textbooks, PDF articles) will be provided at no cost.
Registrants will receive exclusive VAR and SEEDS merchandise (limited supply).
Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your spot, but drop-ins are welcome.

APPLY HERE

Become a mentor or volunteer

As a volunteer, you'll play an essential role in ensuring each session runs smoothly and remains a welcoming, transformative space. Volunteer Responsibilities May Include:

Assisting with event setup and cleanup
Supporting logistics like check-in, photography, lunch distribution, and activity facilitation
Engaging with youth participants and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment
Helping staff with accessibility needs (language support, mobility, etc.)

SEEDS PROGRAM Overview for 2026

Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Goals: Introduction and Welcome to the program, project-based learning objectives, issues brainstorming.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Goals: Introduction and Welcome to the program, project-based learning objectives, issues brainstorming.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Goals: Learn about an contextualize the history of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Equip students with tools to uncover their own personal histories.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Vietnamese American Cultural Center (VACC)
Goals: Learn about an contextualize the history of refugees and immigrants in the United States. Equip students with tools to uncover their own personal histories.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Goals: Considering our “origin stories,” what are was that we express ourselves through art, and how we advocate through expression to preserve traditions and values through storytelling and creativity.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Art Builds Community
Goals: Considering our “origin stories,” what are was that we express ourselves through art, and how we advocate through expression to preserve traditions and values through storytelling and creativity.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Through an immersive exploration of Little Saigon, students will reflect on the history and formation of Vietnamese American community building through the lens of economic and civic growth.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Grand Century Mall
Through an immersive exploration of Little Saigon, students will reflect on the history and formation of Vietnamese American community building through the lens of economic and civic growth.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Location: Alma Community Center

Goals: Explore anti-AAPI hate and its systemic root causes; consider what does allyship, action, and advocacy look like.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Location: Alma Community Center

Goals: Learn from Vietnamese American professionals about how to package and present yourself in the workplace and shape how to plan for life as a student/adult.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Location: Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC)

Goals: Learn from Vietnamese American professionals about how to package and present yourself in the workplace and shape how to plan for life as a student/adult.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Alma Community Center
Goals: What are the narratives that our food tell to the world? How do we understand the importance of sustainability through the lens of food and family recipes.
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Location: Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC)
Goals: What are the narratives that our food tell to the world? How do we understand the importance of sustainability through the lens of food and family recipes.
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC)
Goals: Each SEEDS participant will be invited to highlight their culminating project that centers on an issue in their local community. Open to the public, inclusive of the friends and family of the SEEDS students.