What is ACT
ONE?
Goals &
Objectives
Achievements
Program
Contacts
"In 8th grade, I really started messing up. I'm still not sure why -- maybe because ever since we got here I never see my parents, they're working all the time and busy. I cut lots of classes and started selling stuff and hanging out with real fast people, not good people. But then I wanted to get out and change, but didn't know where to go. Then I remember I saw the ACT ONE group around school and I wanted to get to know them. These ACT ONE people, they understand me and support me and we all help each other do better. I turned around completely because of ACT ONE."
-- Raymond, former Galileo student currently attending SF CityCollege
"Before ACT ONE, I didn't think at all about the community.I didn't really think about community problems or that we could do anything to make changes. Now I've learned so much, and I want to keep working on things that make life better for people."
-- Helen, former Galileo student currently attending UC Davis
What is ACT?
ACT is a two-year leadership program in which Chinatown teenagers work together nearly every day after school and during the summer to develop and implement projects that strengthen the community. While working on the projects, ACT surrounds them with a variety of supports which enable the young leaders to improve their school grades, public-speaking abilities, and social confidence. Five generations of ACT youth have created a program culture imbued with high expectations, mutual support and respect, and family-like closeness that lasts for years after they exit the program.
ACT involves youth at all levels of "risk", from young people with a history of delinquency to those with stellar school records. The common denominator they share is a desire to change some aspect of their life. Young people who were shy learn to speak in public and many who were affiliated with gangs learn to channel their energy and ambitions into more positive pathways. Most importantly, each ACT youth gains a sense of usefulness and responsibility to the community, and learns to conduct his/her life accordingly.
ACT Projects
top 
ACT youth work in three groups:
• ACT ONE is twenty leaders who produce and host a Cantonese radio show that broadcasts advice on family communication to parents from the youth perspective.In addition, every ACT group participates in other community service and advocacy projects that are too numerous to mention here.
• ACT TWO (formerly MYEEP/ELL) is a dozen Galileo sophomores who are providing workshops, tutoring, and mentoring to 30 Francisco Middle school students. A long term goal of ACT 2 is to maintain these supportive relationships so that, when the Francisco students move on the 9th grade at Galileo in a year or two, their mentors will be there at Galileo to help them survive their traumatic first year in high school.bility competencies described in the SCANS report. This will be measured by the tasks completed and skills learned sections of each participant's individual portfolio.
• ACT THREE is fifteen Galileo juniors who are providing academic and social support to thirty Galileo 9th graders who are at-risk of dropping out.
ACT Goals
ACT youth will improve their:
• school performance
• employability and career options
• communication and social skills
• leadership and community advocacy skills
• family and peer relations
ACT Achievementstop
Youth Developement gains
Over the last two years, ACT ONE youth leaders have achieved the following:
• 90% improved their school grades.Community Achievements
• 100% of program graduates went on to college.
• 100% improved their communication skills and self-confidence.
• 90% improved communication with their parents
• 90% reported increased understanding of community issues and advocacy skills.
Over the last two years, ACT leaders have:
• Produced and hosted over 40 radio shows, primarily for the purpose of promoting improved communication skills among Chinese immigrant families. According to Chinese Radio AM 1450, our show has an audience of about 20,000 across the Bay Area. Two surveys, each of 100 parents in Chinatown, indicate that about 65% to 70% of parents listen to our show. In focus groups of local parents, 100% felt that the show helped them to understand their kids better, and 90% felt that the show brought up issues that they hadnt’ thought were important to their kids.
• Organized community mapping and planning efforts that brought over $1 million over five years to fund the Chinatown Wellness Village project, which conducted advocacy and direct services to reduce problem gambling, improve family communication, and increase access to health care services.
• Influenced public policy. ACT youth testified in Sacramento to provide support for the Dymally-Alatorre Act (SB1246) requiring translation services for all government business.
For more information on ACT, contac:top
The program is undergoing a staff transition. For now, please direct all questions to Ben Wong at
benwong@cessf.org
Copyright © 2002 Community Educational Services. All rights reserved.
Revised 01.27.02. Send site specific questions here.
CES would like to thank Gil Loyola and Mac Publshing LLC for designing and donating this website.