Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) was born out of the 2014 NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference Pre-Conference Leadership Institute in San Diego, California. Young Filipino American leaders came together and formed a coalition of student leaders, youth development organizations, and individuals passionate about youth empowerment.

EPYC leaders believe in the following values:
Ambition. We are bold when we act on our empowerment and strive for community-building in spaces that demand it.
Collaboration. We are collaborative when we strengthen intergenerational coalitions and allyship.
Empowerment. We give ourselves power when we promote knowledge-sharing, learning, skill-building, and dialogue on the regional and national level.

According to the U.S. Census, of the four million Filipinos living in the U.S., one-fourth (almost one million) are youth between the ages of 18 to 34. After conducting focus groups, NaFFAA found that Filipino youth interviewed lack the resources and skills needed for campus and non-profit leadership positions; face difficulty juggling personal, extracurricular, and academic priorities; and fail to continue remaining engaged after graduation due to burnout, lack of mentorship, or professional and familial responsibilities.

To address these issues, in the summer of 2017, NaFFAA launched its inaugural Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) Ambassadors Program to strengthen the personal and professional development of young Filipino Americans. The inaugural class consists of twelve ambassadors, mostly Filipino American college students and young professionals under the age of 30.

Hailing from across the country, the Ambassadors have engaged fellow young Filipino Americans by hosting events and participating in conferences, writing blogs and leveraging social media, and leading a capstone initiative called “My EPYC Project” focused around leadership development, civic engagement, or advocacy. They also attend monthly webinars to help develop their knowledge, attitudes, and skills in key areas.

To learn more about the program, meet the ambassadors, and apply, click here!

To address these issues, in the summer of 2017, NaFFAA launched its inaugural Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) Ambassadors Program to strengthen the personal and professional development of young Filipino Americans. The inaugural class consists of twelve ambassadors, mostly Filipino American college students and young professionals under the age of 30.

Hailing from across the country, the Ambassadors have engaged fellow young Filipino Americans by hosting events and participating in conferences, writing blogs and leveraging social media, and leading a capstone initiative called “My EPYC Project” focused around leadership development, civic engagement, or advocacy. They also attend monthly webinars to help develop their knowledge, attitudes, and skills in key areas.