Over 30 Youth Recognized For Volunteerism By City Of Folsom, APAPA

Over 30 local youth were honored for their volunteerism last week at the monthly City of Folsom Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at City Hall. The meeting opened with the presentation of awards to the latest round of students that are part of the APAPA-Folsom chapter Internship Program.

APAPA, which stands for the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, is a nonpartisan nonprofit with over 35 chapters across the country and is continuing to grow with new chapters forming across the country. The organization’s mission is “to advance Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through increased civic engagement and leadership.

The Folsom chapter of the APAPA Internship Program works in coordination with Folsom Parks and Recreation. The local chapter was established in 2019, designed to inspire and empower culturally and ethnically diverse graduating high school students in Folsom and Rancho Cordova areas to become civically engaged, preparing them to become future leaders in our community. Longtime Folsom resident and City Council Member YK Chalamcherla was instrumental in founding the local chapter and continues to be involved with it today as an acting board member and participant.

Each summer the local APAPA chapter organizes its local youth during their summer break to help with various projects across the city. During this time, dozens of Asian youth volunteers ranging from 12 to 19 years, along with several parent volunteers, go to work on a variety of projects, dedicating their time of from school to help their community.

Working under the supervision and guidance of Folsom’s Park and Recreation, the students worked on landscape maintenance for Folsom public parks and trails; trimmed hazardous branches on the Creekside, Lexington, Johnny Cash trail, etc. They also changed out landscaping mulch for the Folsom Kids Park, Econome Park and repainted benches, gazebos and other amenities, including fire lanes, tennis courts and more.

Another project the students do each year is a zoo enrichment assignment. This is where they create hand-made crafts to help animals to hunt for food and stimulate their brains. Their product “delivery day” is always a big festival for the zoo animals and a live-show day for the zoo customers each year.

To recognize their contribution, Folsom Parks and Recreation hosted its annual awards ceremony last week. After enjoying dinner and refreshments at city hall, students and parents were honored for their commitment and hard work during the program in 2023.

Those wishing to get involved with the Folsom chapter of APAPA can learn more through their website at https://www.apapa.org/folsom.