A Brief History...

Almost 30 years ago, America was going through a life changing experience - the Civil Rights Movement. 

Peer Support, led by Joyce Black-Carson (a former staff member) for over 20 years, was developed in a way to make kids more socially active and to appreciate themselves as well as their peers while resolving student conflicts.  Aki Mori (a former staff member) wanted the same thing, but was geared to the Asian American students on campus.  In a diverse society such as Oakland, and with the few Asian students that attended Montera, Aki Mori wanted these students to learn and appreciate the differences they have growing up as an Asian American thus establishing Asian Youth Society (AYS). 

Peer Support and AYS collaborated with each other during and after that historical event.  By teaching and learning from each other's heritage, history, and experiences, students are able to benefit from this pedagogy effect. Pedagogy and individualism is encouraged when we allow students to speak up about how they feel when our civil rights are attacked. From there, a strong sense of community and civic duty is bonded bewtween students when they share each other's opinion. 

Present Time...

Asian Youth Society is now Asian American Youth Society (AAYS) AAYS and we still continue what we have started.  Other than disucssing current and historical civil rights issues, we also participate in multiple fund raisers to fund our projects.  Some of our projects include designing and creating our own club T-shirts and donating money to support chartiable organizations like the Red Cross.

Ben Lee, a promoted student at Montera of 2001 and former President of AAYS, came back to Montera to keep the club functional as its Program Director.  While working with Mrs. Charlesworth, a current staff at Montera, AAYS continues to have its weekly meetings and encrouages all students to join and learn about the Asian American Experience through lectures, games, and field trips.