nwasianweekly.com
Updated Aug. 11, 2007
About the Northwest
Asian Weekly Foundation
The
beginning of the NW Asian Weekly Foundation
The dream of a non-profit foundation for young people came about in 1992,
when the Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly celebrated their
10th anniversary. Assunta Ng, the publisher, organized the Northwest Asian
Weekly Foundation with the support of friends. “To show my appreciation
to the community for their support all these years, I made a commitment
to give back to young people,” she said. The Foundation was legally
incorporated in 1994 when Benson Wong, an attorney with Keller Rohrback,
volunteered to do the legal work needed to incorporate the organization.
The Foundation was formed and received approval from the IRS as a non-profit
501 (c) (3) organization, making all donations tax deductible.
Why a foundation for the paper?
Diversity has always been a goal of the paper. Leading by example, the
Northwest Asian Weekly reports on issues that affect all people of
color. Coverage is not limited to Asian American issues.
The Northwest Asian Weekly has always been more than “just a newspaper.” It
sponsors events and has founded important groups in the community. Many
newspapers have a foundation that works for the benefit of the community
they serve. But few have foundations dedicated specifically to serving
young people.
As a former teacher, Ng believes it is important to promote, encourage
and inspire our young people. The Foundation emphasizes community building,
leadership development, networking, diversity, resource building and
services so students can help build a better tomorrow.
What does the Foundation do?
The Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation empowers young people. The Foundation
is not limited to Asian American youth; it promotes diversity and leadership
among all young people.
Programs in 2007 include:
• Special Young People’s Issue of the Northwest Asian Weekly, a
special newspaper dedicated to Asian American youth. Many of the articles were
written by young Asian Americans, regarding topics that are important to them.
• Dramatic Presentation Contest
• Art contest for young people
• Essay contest for young people
• Diversity Makes a Difference, which invites school counselors, parents,
teachers and principals to nominate 10- to 17-year-olds for scholarships and
prizes. The winners are chosen from a variety of cultural and ethnic groups.
Each winner receives $1,000 in cash, while each finalist receives $200. All
nominees are invited to a dinner banquet held in their honor.
• Summer Youth Leadership
Program, a three-week all-expenses-paid program
for young people who want to learn about leadership in an Asian American setting.
Asian Americans and other people of color are tapped as speakers and resources.
During this crash course in Asian American history, participants have the opportunity
to meet Gov. Gary Locke in the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia and sample
a variety of food in Chinatown/International District, including Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Vietnamese and Thai. Students compete for scholarships at the completion
of the program.
• Asian American Living Pioneer Dinner and Auction, an event in which
Asian American pioneers are recognized and honored. Young volunteers organize
this event, which includes a dinner and live auction. They serve as hosts to
the VIPs, honorees and community leaders. They also help plan the program and
auction displays.
Who makes up the Foundation?
There are three units to the Foundation: The board, advisory board and
Friends of the Foundation.
Board members must be graduates of the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation’s
Summer Youth Leadership Program. The board meets every month — except
for March and September, when it meets twice a month. The board is made
up of college graduates, undergraduates and high school students.
The advisory board consists of community leaders — from the mainstream
community as well as communities of color. It meets twice a year to provide
resources and input to the Foundation.
Friends of the Foundation is made up of past board members, past advisory
board members and anyone who wants to volunteer for the Foundation.
How does
the Foundation receive support?
The Northwest Asian Weekly raised money for the Foundation before it
was formed. Donations and corporate sponsorship are received through
its annual events, such as the Asian American Living Pioneer Dinner and
Auction. In 1993, the Northwest Asian Weekly organized a dinner event
called Diversity at the Top, which honored women and minority CEOs in
Washington state. The proceeds became seed money and helped the Foundation
hire its first staff members in 1994.
In 1994, a steering committee was formed to organize a board for the
Foundation. By January of the following year, the board was formed. Board
members have been instrumental in building and developing the Foundation.
In 1995, Ida Cole, president of Seattle Landmark Theater, offered to
hold a benefit showing of “Miss Saigon” for the Northwest
Asian Weekly Foundation. Proceeds were used to start the Summer Youth
Leadership Program. An advisory board made up of leaders from the city
and Asian community was formed to help fund the program. It was able
to raise $55,000. Since 1995, the Foundation has served nearly 1,000
students.
Summer Youth Leadership Program is held annually in July. For applications,
call 206-223-0623 or visit www.nwasianweekly.com.
Send
correspondence to:
Northwest Asian Weekly • P.O. Box 3468 • Seattle •
WA 98114
Tel: 206.223.5559 • Fax: 206.223.0626 • Email: info@nwasianweekly.com
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