Kizuna's Summer Camp Counselor Training Program

Youth economic advancement

San Gabriel Valley South LA West LA Central LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

High achieving AAPI representation in the workforce is low. Our youth need more role models in mainstream society they can emulate. Based on data from the County of Los Angeles Workforce Demographics (2023), only 8% of managers are executive managers despite AAPI constituting 19% of the County workforce and 17% of the population.
Our community needs a representative, future-ready workforce and stewards of our community. There aren't enough options for teens to train and prepare for leadership roles that serve their community. Little Tokyo, named one of America's 11 Most Endangered Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (2024), require leaders that can address issues like gentrification, displacement, an affordable housing crisis, and development projects that negatively impact the local community.
This community needs youth that can carry on this legacy and preserve this rich history as stewards and the foundation of this is employment and leadership training.

Kizuna is initiating a new, extended training and leadership program for teen and young adult summer camp Counselors and Jr. Counselors. The topics cover: working, communication, leadership styles, conflict management, time management, the Japanese American experience, and the importance of instilling identity in our young campers.
By teaching these skills and techniques, they will form confidence in their own strengths and also learn how to adapt and work well with others.
Youth are trained by Kizuna staff and leaders with ties to Japanese and Japanese American culture. Hearing about teachers' personal sacrifices, challenges, and successes inspire the youth to persevere and break through potential societal barriers and have the confidence and the knowledge they need to succeed.
This program gives youth the foundation to become community leaders by preparing them with the 21st century skills and on the job training in a representative role at Summer Camp. Our campers can see themselves in the leadership, furthering this cycle.

This program better prepares teens to enter the workforce. Teens are guided through the process of applying, interviewing, and achieving their first employment, including the sometimes-confusing process of paperwork and interviewing. By providing diverse training experiences and 21st century skills, we give young job-seekers the confidence to pursue future employment and prepare them for the modern workforce. Our short term goals are building their skills to be competitive interviewees, employees, and one day, leaders.
This program instills a sense of pride in ownership in community. Young leaders see their ability to affect change as invested members of the workforce. They have buy in and feel a responsibility for a community that invested in them.
Youth are better prepared to navigate the complexities of adulthood, including conflict resolution, communication styles, problem solving, assertiveness training, and collaboration.