Youth Programs

Resist, Recycle, Regenerate (RRR)

Resist, Recycle, Regenerate is a school-year weekend program for NYC-based Asian high school and college students that intersects art and activism through building Asian American women, queer, and trans youth leadership within the Chinatown community.

RRR’s youth mentorship program model inspires growth and leadership development through peer-led facilitation. Former fellows have the opportunity to return as program leaders, mentoring and guiding the next cohort of younger fellows. Applications for each year's cohort open in the summer.

A cartoon-style fish with a humanoid face and muscular arms, illustrated in shades of blue with decorative patterns, against a black background.


Weekly Sessions

Fellows engage in weekly peer-led workshops in Chinatown throughout the school year.


Community Building

Each cohort builds trust and community with each other through group discussions and projects.


Political Education

Peer-led learning about topics including gentrification, Asian American identity, immigration history, and activism in Chinatown and New York City.

Group of people making colorful paper chain decorations in a room with posters on the wall.
People participating in a parade or festival, carrying a colorful dragon lantern with a large, intricate head, during daytime in an urban setting.
Black and white illustration of a cartoon character with spiky hair and large eyes, wearing a robe and holding a staff, standing in a small boat in the water.


Art-Making

Guest teaching artists lead workshops on various mediums and techniques. Fellows create group and individual art projects throughout the year.


Leadership Development

Trainings on public speaking, workshop design, and facilitation help fellows gain confidence in leadership skills.


Neighborhood Engagement

Fellows deepen their relationship to Chinatown and its residents through the year, culminating in leading community art-making workshops in the spring.

Current Program
Person wearing a red jacket with a circular logo and the letters 'R.R.R.' on the back, surrounded by confetti and other people also dressed in red, participating in a festive outdoor event.

Resist, Recycle, Regenerate 2025–2026

This year’s program runs from October 2025 to June 2026.

Learn More  

yearly program model: WhAT OUR FELLOWS DO
People working with screen printing frames to create screen-printed designs over a red ink on a table.

Art-making and political education

Fellows learn about concepts such as gentrification, histories of art and activism in Chinatown, and current political issues in New York City.

Fellows learn how to make confetti paper with materials collected from past Lunar New Year celebrations.

Guest teaching artists provide workshops on a variety of techniques and mediums.

Phase 1: Resist

Three young women wearing black masks are sitting at a table, engaged in writing and drawing on paper, with art supplies and a drink on the table, in a room with various papers and drawings on the wall.

Community engagement and collaboration

Fellows invite the community to join them in collecting confetti during Lunar New Year celebrations.

The cohort develops their leadership and facilitation skills by planning and running recycled confetti paper making workshops.

Phase 2: Recycle

A young woman with short black hair wearing a light pink shirt standing in front of colorful art and craft displays in an indoor market or shop.

Continued community work and final projects

Fellows lead more community art-making workshops.

Fellows develop final art projects that synthesize ideas and experiences from the year.

The program concludes with a final showcase celebrating their growth as artists and community leaders invested in Chinatown's past, present, and future.

Phase 3: Regenerate

Past years

  • Application requirements vary each year. This year, the program is open to Asian/American NYC-based young women, queer, trans and nonbinary people ages 15 to 21.

  • Interested participants complete a short written application in the summer or early fall. Some applicants will be contacted for an interview, after which we’ll select our cohort.

  • You can fill out our interest form here.

    We also post about applications opening on this website, social media, and newsletter. Applications typically open in the late summer.

  • You can email programs@wowprojectnyc.org! 

FAQ
Collage of people participating in a protest or rally, wearing masks, holding signs, and taking part in various activities, with red overlay and white doodles.

Invest in Chinatown's Next Generation of Creative Leaders

Your donation provides workshops, mentorship, and community projects that transform young Asian Americans into confident leaders capable of preserving and reimagining their community.

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