About AYSC
 

In 1990, Officer Robert Sayaphupha and I founded the Asian Youth Services Committee (AYSC). Our goals were to address the need of Asian youth. Robert and I felt strongly that there was a great Asian youth social need, one where the needs of recent Asian immigrant youth were not being met. The community had programs to address tutoring, job planning and job training, but the one thing lacking was the recognition and implementation of events to meet the social needs of these young people. The AYSC was formed to address those needs.

 

The AYSC is somewhat similar to a community service organization. The main difference is that in helping others and with funds generated by AYSC events, members develop needed self-esteem and a sense of camaraderie and trust with other youth. The AYSC is composed of and run by middle and high school students with the help of adult advisors.

 

The AYSC provides many activities and sponsors large events where the members are taught to analyze, organize, write projections and budgets, and to bring about a meaningful conclusion. They are taught how to delegate, to encourage others to participate and have fun. They become skillful leaders.

 

AYSC members come from different backgrounds, socially and economically, however they soon develop a great sense of camaraderie and trust with each other. It is sad to recollect that our first president, a Chinese youth with great promise, who tried very hard to escape his environment, was drawn back to his old group and was eventually shot to death. Other AYSC members have gone on to college and higher institutions and are now living productive lives.

 

Of course, people make a difference in any organization and the AYSC have been very fortunate to have good people in abundance to make the AYSC so successful. 

Written by Co-Founder, Walter Y. Chinn

We appreciate the efforts of past volunteers and cherish those who continue to help us today.

2026-7 Advisors: Alice Giang, Linyi Yu, Steve Chan, Debbie Chinn Murray, Gary Xie, Yvan Fung and OPD Officer Jason Peng. Additional advisors include: Rich Fong and Jennifer Gee Cheung

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2026-7 Senior Youth Advisors: Chun Huang , Miaoying Li, Anson Liang, Richard Tan, Steven Hau

 

We’d also like to acknowledge the following individuals:

Original co-founders, Walter Y. Chinn and Retired OPD Officer Robert Sayaphupha

Retired Oakland Police Deputy Chief David Downing

OPD Lt Alan Yu

OPD Chinatown Liaison Officers Ouseng Saeparn and Officer Mae Phu. Retired Sgt Daniel Ming, Deputy Chief Cliff Wong, Sgt Tam Dinh, Officer Dana Ly, Officer Rita Lee, K9 Officer Johnathan Low, Retired Officer John Hargraves, Officer Danny Chor, and Officer Ronald Yang