One Volunteer’s Quest to Amplify AAPI Youth Voices in Connecticut

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Jessie Zheng. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Jessie Zheng isn’t just raising her voice—she’s making sure hundreds of others are heard too. As the executive director of AAPI Youth Advocates, Jessie spearheads a powerful youth-led organization that’s transforming civic engagement for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across Connecticut. Founded to bridge the educational and advocacy gaps affecting AAPI students, the group has achieved milestone victories, from passing a state law incorporating Asian history in K–12 curriculums to building a statewide movement that secured Lunar New Year as an official school holiday.

Jessie dedicates around 30 hours each month to leading and expanding the organization’s impact. She mentors a team of 18 students and five adult advisors while also serving as the main liaison with local officials and legislators. Under her leadership, AAPI Youth Advocates has hosted workshops, organized protests and drafted policy testimony: initiatives that not only educate the public but also provide opportunities for young leaders to step into advocacy roles themselves. Jessie’s work with groups like UConn’s Asian American Studies Institute and the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity amplifies her team’s influence at both the community and policy levels.

The organization’s work demonstrates how culturally responsive education can foster belonging, dismantle stereotypes and validate student identity. And Jessie’s leadership bridges activism with art and storytelling. The organization produced a film highlighting the experiences of AAPI students navigating cultural identity and discrimination in school, giving visibility to narratives that are often overlooked. By encouraging youth to share their stories, Jessie fosters not just policy change, but healing, solidarity and confidence within the community.

With over 500 students engaged, $10.2k raised and real legislative wins under her belt, Jessie is creating lasting systems of change. Read on to hear more of her “why.”

Tell us about your volunteer role.

As the founder and director of AAPI Youth Advocates, I lead a team of passionate students working to amplify the lived experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in civic spaces. My role includes organizing statewide campaigns, mentoring youth leaders, developing educational initiatives and coordinating media outreach to raise awareness on key policy issues affecting our communities. I also oversee our advocacy projects, which have included pushing for the official recognition of Lunar New Year in local towns and promoting the incorporation of Asian American history in K-12 education.

Why is this issue so important to you?

Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me reflected in the curriculum, local leadership or policy conversations. That invisibility shaped my understanding of belonging and who gets to be heard. For many students, our experiences are overlooked or stereotyped. For me, I found that advocacy gives me a way to reshape that narrative. This work has become about reclaiming space, building power and creating safer, more welcoming environments for the next generation.

What inspired you to create AAPI Youth Advocates?

During the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, I saw a lack of youth-specific resources and platforms for Asian students to process, respond and organize. I felt isolated, frustrated and invisible. Rather than waiting for someone else to step in, I created AAPI Youth Advocates to fill that gap—to create community, healing and power among young people like me.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

We’re currently in the process of transforming AAPI Youth Advocates into the Connecticut Youth Legislative Advisory Council (CYLAC) to better reflect the interconnected, cross-cultural work we’ve taken on. Rather than scaling vertically with just one organization, our goal is to expand horizontally, building a coalition of youth-led initiatives that each bring unique strengths and perspectives to the table. CYLAC will serve as an umbrella network that supports campaigns across racial, cultural and policy lines, with a shared focus on youth power and legislative advocacy. Our long-term vision is to create a more unified front of youth advocates who are pushing for change not only in AAPI issues, but across public education, mental health, civic engagement and more, while still preserving the distinct identities of each movement.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

Seeing young people realize their own power has been the most rewarding. Whether it’s someone testifying at their first town hall meeting, running a voter registration drive or organizing a community art event, watching youth grow into confident advocates makes every challenge worth it. Moments like hearing a student say, “I finally feel seen,” remind me why we do this.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

AAPI Youth Advocates, as we transition to become Connecticut’s first-ever legislative council, have already formed a partnership with the legislative Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, becoming an official subcommittee of a newly formed Civic Engagement Committee. This official partnership gives us the power to propose legislation through the Commission for the review of the Connecticut General Assembly. Beyond the Commission, we are working to build sustainable cross-sector collaborations with student councils, youth activist groups, school boards and nonprofit organizations across Connecticut.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Change does not happen overnight. And it takes many people, voices and passion behind every cause. When you get involved in issues you care about, you’re not only advocating for change but building community and inspiring others to act too. Your lived experiences matter, and using them to fuel your advocacy can ripple out and uplift countless others.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Start small and start where you are. You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to care enough to take the first step. Find an issue that resonates with you, reach out to local groups or even start your own initiative. Your passion, no matter how young you are, has the power to create change.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Jessie? Find local volunteer opportunities.