Meet Anna Dellit, Our Summer 2023 Seeding Change Fellow

Meet our Seeding Change Fellow from summer 2023, Anna Dellit! Here are a few words from Anna about the fellowship:

1. ‍What made you interested in being a Seeding Justice fellow with APANO? I initially decided to be a Seeding Change fellow because I wanted to learn more about what Asian American community organizing looks like and build a network of like minded students. As I was applying I found that there was a host site in Portland, Oregon and I jumped at the opportunity to work with APANO. Before this summer I knew very little about the history and realities of the Asian American community in Portland specifically. Living in the suburbs of Portland and attending a predominantly white catholic high school, I considered myself without a cultural community. I thought this was my opportunity to find the community I was seeking.‍
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2. Tell us more about the projects you worked on during your internship (deep canvassing, AAPI elected official report, etc). Was there anything surprising or key takeaways?
   During the summer with APANO I worked specifically with the PPACE team (Political, Policy, Advocacy and Civic Engagement) as they began a deep canvassing campaign, starting in the neighborhoods around the APANO office in the Jade District. The intention of the canvassing was to increase awareness about APANO and their work, as well as survey community members about their needs and desires for the upcoming 2024 elections as APANO endorses candidates in the local races.
   
   I was able to help create swag bags for the volunteers to feel appreciated for their effort as well as be part of the canvassing teams in the first weeks. Alongside that work I helped begin the initial database collection for a AAPI elected official report. The report would hopefully be used as a guide about past AAPI elected officials in Oregon and their endorsement status with APANO. Both projects were very informative as the canvassing allowed me to meet many different and diverse people in the Jade District that I was able to learn from even in brief interactions. The elected official report was an opportunity to learn more about AAPI historical representation in Oregon and see the impact that Asian American community organizing can have when utilized effectively to support candidates.‍
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3. Why should future Seeding Change fellows consider interning at APANO?
   Interning with APANO allowed me to understand community organizing in a very practical and tangible way in how it can impact politics and legislation. The staff in all departments of APANO were so friendly, welcoming, and open to answering any questions about their experiences and expertise in the field. Especially for young organizers and fellows who have grown up in the Portland area it can feel like the Asian American community is very fragmented, but APANO restores faith and understanding the power of the people in Portland and how vibrant the community is if you immerse yourself and look for it.

Anna was such a joy to have on the team! Thank you for spending part of your summer with us.

We are currently in the process of interviewing applicants for this upcoming summer. Learn more about the program here.