| ASIAN
continued... The bottom line for Sayaphupha continues to be keeping the members of AYSC out of trouble. This is especially true for kids who have been in trouble in school and with the law in the past. "It's a little bit harder to work with the High Risk youth, they're generally not as responsible. They are the kids that need the most help, but if you spend too much time with them, the others start getting bad." Sayaphupha is adamant about not singling out a person because of his or her past experiences, no matter how bad. "We don't care that you have a criminal record, we don't care what you've been involved in, we do care that by joining this club you're willing to change," Sayaphupha says. "I let them know that I'm here to help them in school work or anything." But remembering the experiences of the early club, he is also sure to explain to newcomers what happens if they're not prepared to change their path. "If you cross the line, I will arrest you, I will be the first to look for you" he adds. "Once you come to this group, you know the difference between right and wrong, and you know that help's available to you if you need it." Two new members of the club were Albert and James. The teens travel from Walnut Creek every week for club activities and both are involved in the Lion Dance team. The pair's identity has been concealed because of their age and because many of their fellow club members aren't familiar with their pasts before joining AYSC. The two met last year after James moved to Walnut Creek and away from many of the inner city problems of gangs and youth violence he had encountered in San Francisco. Though originally drawn to the club because of the dances, they kept coming back and started helping out at the meetings and the Clean up the Park project. Albert eventually was voted into the executive board and James usually tags along to all the meetings. They also appreciated the fact that though the club's members are diverse, everybody seemed to get along. Albert, who is Japanese, and James, who is Chinese, felt no tension among the group which also includes a large Southeast Asian contingent. "It's like a big family, everybody seems to get along," James says. Albert has never been in any serious trouble though he's come close. He spent time with a tagging crew and some of his friends have been arrested. "(AYSC) gives me a chance to do something, it gives me something to get involved in since Walnut Creek is pretty boring" Albert says. "Otherwise I'd have way too much time on my hands." James was not as fortunate. Though he wasn't in a gang himself, most of his friends were. He had been in trouble for starting some fights and for missing a lot of school. But his real troubles began when he was arrested for auto theft. That time he was forced to spend a month in juvenile hall and to perform hundreds of hours of community service. In AYSC, James has found many of the same things he sought when he used to hang out with his old friends. "Following a gang, you would almost feel wanted, because most of your friends are in it and the leader usually takes care of you," James adds. Now most of his friends, and his girlfriend, he's met through AYSC. It's what keeps him coming back and what makes him talk about the future. Both he and Albert are planning to attend a junior college after graduating. James expects to go even beyond that, "Eventually I want to transfer to a UC school." |
Above and below: AYSC members practice for upcoming performances and competitions.
Photos by Amy Mayer
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