PROVIDENCE YOUTH STUDENT MOVEMENT (PRYSM)

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

PrYSM was founded on November 8th, 2001, when a series of repeated Cambodian gang fights and resulting deaths inspired youth and local college students to fight for positive change in the community. The first campaign was against the deportation of Cambodian American refugees, who were being sent back to the country from which they fled a genocide and civil war. Today, PrYSM is a youth organization which challenges and supports Southeast Asian youth to become leaders, organizers, and critical thinkers, by offering educational workshops, leadership opportunities, mentorship, and oversight of youth-led community organizing projects.

Mission

“PrYSM organizes at the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation by centering youth, female, queer, and people of color leadership in our campaigns, our organization, and our communities. PrYSM mobilizes queer Southeast Asian youth, families, and allies to build grassroots power and organize collectively for social justice.” –PrYSM website