How do you move from a conversation about the potential of teenagers to a discussion about how young people can create positive social change? How do you help teens realize how powerful they are? On top of normal teen responsibilities--homework, peer pressure, balancing school activities--many of today's young people face myriad challenges, including educational and economic barriers, negative stereotyping and racism. These are topics that SAYA! grapples with. We want to help nurture and promote the extraordinary gifts and talents of South Asian youth living in New York City.

One of the ways that SAYA! helps young people realize their leadership potential is by offering positions to youth as program assistants, where they can help design curriculum, organize events, manage advocacy efforts and serve on SAYA!'s Board of Directors.

Current and former SAYA! program members have continued on to become leaders at school and in their communities. Some serve as mentors to other children, some advocate for civic rights, and others mobilize diverse segments of society to work together toward greater peace and acceptance of differences.

How did those young people get where they are today? SAYA! helped them. For many people, recognizing your own potential begins with feeling safe and appreciated. It helps to have chances to develop talents and show them off to your peers. Through counseling and other support groups, SAYA! provides this sense of comfort and community, with safe spaces for young people to share feelings and ideas, and collaborate on projects.

SAYA!'s girls-only group, Desi Girls on 'Da Rise, is a year-long program for young South Asian women (ages 13 to 19), to meet weekly to discuss the tough parts (and the good stuff too!) about growing up. These young women forging meaningful relationships with their peers while they create videos and newsletters to express themselves and educate others.

ARISE is a co-ed leadership and organizational program where young people ages 13 to 19 learn about the issues that are important to them and their community. One of the most successful ARISE program was an extensive examination of teacher performance at a local high school. At the end of the nine-month process, one ARISE member explained that the program helped him to constructively channel his anger, communicate more effectively, and it also helped improve his public speaking skills.