Join us for Roots & Resilience: The Power of Data, Stories, and Community Action—a dynamic gathering of youth, parents, and community leaders exploring mental health through storytelling, research, and collective action. Held at UCA’s 2026 Chinese American Convention, this Mental Health Summit features engaging youth and parent tracks, with speakers including Alan Z on AAPI identity and mental health, and Dr. Yi Jia (“Doctor Panda”) on family well-being and resilience. Discover youth-led poster presentations and lightning talks, take part in hands-on QPR suicide prevention training, and explore a vibrant community showcase and book fair. We’ll even be hosting a talent show and special cultural events! Get ready to make memories and connections that last a lifetime, because this once-in-a-decade event is one you don’t want to miss.
Monday, June 29th
Session 1 | 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Parent & Youth Track
Book Fair and Community Organization Showcase
Session 2 | 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Parent Track
A Life of Serenity & Joy: An Empowering Parent Panel with Dr. Panda
Youth Track
How to Stand out at the Workplace: Leading with Empathy
Session 3 | 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Parent Track
Parent-Child Communication Heart-to-Heart Talk
Youth Track
Alan Z
Session 4 | 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM
Parent & Youth Track
QPR Training
Tuesday, June 30th
Session 5 | 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Parent & Youth Track
Convention Group Photo & Youth Photo
Session 6 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Parent Track
Captviating Resilience Performance & Round Table Discussion
Youth Track
Youth Lightning Speeches & Poster Awards
Session 7 | 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Parent & Youth Track
Book Fair and Showcase Floor
Session 8 | 3:40 PM – 5:00 PM
Parent Track
TBD
Youth Track
Unite with UCA Youth Session
Submit Your Work!
Ready to network and share your passion with the world? Good news: We’re accepting abstracts for poster submissions for our Young Scholars & Advocates Session!
We invite projects that explore, understand, and promote well-being among AAPI youth, families, and communities, particularly in the context of increasingly complex sociocultural and political environments. Submissions may address mental health directly or more broadly examine identity, community engagement, advocacy, and resilience. Merit Awards will be available for youth presenters (ages 15-24 years).
Click on the button below to submit. Questions? Email info@ucawaves.org. We look forward to your submissions and to advancing conversations that uplift AAPI communities through WAVES in action!
UCA WAVES 