Providence Youth Student Movement

Our mission is to confront and end state, street, and interpersonal violence affecting the Southeast Asian youth, queer & trans youth of color, and survivors of state violence communities in 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.