FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) to focus on developing the workforce of tomorrow.
Los Angeles, CA – CAUSE today announced it has been selected to receive $50,000 out of the $1 million Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) Charitable Grant, which focuses on building a stronger workforce of tomorrow.
The Texas-based airline is supporting two-dozen nonprofit organizations across the country, which are strengthening their communities through K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, building a resilient workforce, and leadership development.
This generous grant from Southwest will go directly towards CAUSE’s Leadership Academy (CLA) program, a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates interested in politics, public policy, and/or Asian Pacific American (APA community issues). Through exposure to decision-makers, policy makers, and issues of the day, students gain a deeper awareness of the political issues facing the APA community in California.
Through CLA, students are empowered to strive for positions of power so that they may shape the future they want to see for our communities. Students are placed in one of three internship tracks (private, nonprofit, political) and provided with opportunities for civic leadership exposure, a greater understanding of community and public policy issues, professional and leadership skills trainings, advanced team working skills through the completion of a civic engagement project, and a trip to Sacramento for a Capitol Summit. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
“We are so grateful and excited to have Southwest’s support of this program. As a proud Leadership Academy alumnus myself, I know firsthand the degree of impact this program has in fueling the dreams and passions of our next generation. Southwest’s investment strengthens our work in ensuring that we have a leadership pipeline for the Asian Pacific American community. With their support, we are one showing young adults that it is not only possible, but also necessary, to take on leadership positions in order to ensure that the needs and voices of our community are brought to the forefront of the decision making process,” said Kim Yamasaki, Executive Director of CAUSE.
“At Southwest, we believe in connecting People and championing communities,” said Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President of Corporate Services. “As part of this commitment, Southwest is investing in communities across the country by supporting innovative nonprofits that are building resilient workforces, inspiring leaders, and enhancing STEM education. We want to champion their efforts and empower these communities to thrive.”
The grant funds will be awarded from the Southwest Airlines Foundation, a corporate advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation®.
By loving people, building resilience, and living responsibly, Southwest and its more than 58,000 Employees stand for connecting People and championing Communities. To learn more about the grant programs, visit swa.is/grantrecipients.
About CAUSE
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.
For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
About Southwest Airlines
In its 48th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 58,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 120 million passengers annually. Southwest became the nation’s largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 99 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. Southwest has announced its intention to serve Hawaii, subject to requisite governmental approvals.
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier’s performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
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