‘Seeds of Change’: Malden youth explore food justice with Asian Community Development Corp.

Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE) invites you to “Seeds of Change,” a free event for the Malden community. Join this organization for fun educational activities about the life cycle of food on Friday, May 31, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Malden City Hall Plaza!

A-VOYCE is the youth program of the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) that runs in Malden and Boston’s Chinatown. A-VOYCE seeks to empower high school-aged youths to be advocates and community organizers in their neighborhoods. Programming includes workshops on Asian American history and identity, community building activities and a collaborative, youth-driven project that addresses an issue in the youths’ local communities.

This year, youth learned about food access in their neighborhoods and connected it to broader social issues. A-VOYCE explored food distribution and waste management methods, including community fridges, composting and the relationship between food justice, labor and Asian American history.

One A-VOYCE youth says, “I love all the moments I spend with A-VOYCE! From finding out where our food comes from at Stop & Shop to brainstorming an event, we know more about our community, not just from doing, but also from talking and listening to each other.”

At “Seeds of Change” youth will lead seed bomb making, pot painting, cookie decorating and food mapping and will exhibit the brochures and comics they designed. The Mystic River Watershed Association, Malden River Works and the Friends of the Malden River will educate residents on local environmental justice work. The event will bring Malden community members together to learn about food justice. Attendees will also get to celebrate the work of their local youth.

ACDC Youth Program Associate Emma Ishida says, “This year’s A-VOYCE group has nine seniors graduating, so 2024 will also be a bittersweet send-off for youth who have stayed involved throughout high school. This will be a reflection of their growth as a cohort over the last several years!”

  About Asian Community Development Corporation: Since 1987, ACDC has been working in underserved and immigrant Asian American communities in Greater Boston, Malden and Quincy by building affordable homes and vibrant spaces, empowering families with asset-building tools and strengthening communities through resident and youth leadership and civic engagement.