CASIC Leadership Academy

CAUSE AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER TED LIEU ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR'S CASIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Pasadena, CA – Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) formally kicks off the 2006 California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC) Leadership Academy program. CASIC is a comprehensive leadership program which trains graduating high school seniors and college students to become future leaders through an intensive eight-week leadership program. This program provides a stipend of $500 per intern, upon satisfactory completion of the program. The CASIC Leadership Academy runs from June 23 to August 18, 2006. Assemblymember Ted Lieu's El Segundo district office will be placing a CASIC intern this year. "I remember speaking to CASIC interns in the past," said Assemblymember Lieu. "They struck me as a group of incredibly bright youth, which is why I am especially pleased to host a CASIC intern at our district office this summer. And because this is such a great opportunity, I encourage college students to apply for this internship before the June 2 deadline."

As part of this eight-week academy, CASIC Leadership Academy participants will receive an internship placement in the offices of elected officials throughout southern California, participation in the Annual Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento on August 9 - 10, actively engage in civic issues and develop leadership skills through collaboration on a group research project focused on APA issues, and participate in local APA community events. In addition, interns participate in weekly seminars led by political, community, business and media leaders, who serve as guest lecturers.

The CASIC Leadership Academy offers different program options from which students can choose to participate, from the full program to a partial program participation option. The 2006 coalition partners include CASIC Chair Ben Wong of the League of California Cities and former Mayor of the City of West Covina; CAUSE and Chinese American Citizens Alliance. CASIC Leadership Academy 2006 is funded by the Rafu Shimpo Foundation and contributions from private donors. College students and graduating high school seniors in good standing are encouraged to apply. The CASIC Leadership Academy application brochure and application can be downloaded online at www.causeusa.org in the Programs section. For more information or to request the brochure and application by phone, contact the CAUSE office at (626) 356-9838.