Across Newsletter April 2021

APRIL 2021 ISSUE

Across U-hub TOGETHER WE CARRY ON

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Contents Introduction - 01 Across U-hub Online Platforms Highlights - 02 E-stories - 03 Volunteer Sharing- 04

Introduction Perhaps the circumstances in front of us are looking dim and hopeless. We believe there are things that we can still do. Despite the lingering unfavourable circumstances, Across U-hub has been putting her energy and attention on developing its online platforms and incorporating them into our programmings to support the local youth. We believe that the timely messages can not only comfort the anxious hearts of our young people, but also empower them to become a visionary leader and a responsible citizen in building up a community of caring and love. As a reader of this newsletter, we encourage you to participate in building up our younger generation by engaging in any of the online platforms and showing your love in caring for them.

Across U-hub Online Platforms Highlights Facebook Across U-hub Facebook page will provide updated news about Across’s ministry and its community’s movements periodically. You will receive a variety of information on how to be involved in Across’s ministry or to participate in its programmings. You will also be able to connect with different people in the community who are actively engaged in Across’s ministry. This brings the two new Facebook groups in the following.

Across U-hub Volunteer is a public group. This is a group for anyone who wishes to inquire or receive information about Across U-hub to join.

Across U-hub Alumni is a private group, for volunteers to inquire or receive information about Across U-hub and to build friendships. If you’re a volunteer (current or past), please also join this group for more volunteer-related information. Note: Since this is a private group, it will require our administrator to approve upon your request.

Across U-hub Online Platforms Highlights Instagram Together We Carry On provides a space for youth and older generations to make fruitful dialogues. On one hand, youth can freely write and create images to express their thoughts and ideas. On the other hand, the older generations can understand our young minds who are growing and learning about life. In doing so, it hopes to foster meaningful relationships between generations.

E-Stories The 2nd Issue, Across The Lens: Stories of You and Me, gives more inspiring stories, interviewed and written by youth. Without any twisted plot or dramatic change, these ordinary stories show the characters of perseverance and resilience in the midst of the pandemic. If you find yourselves in searching for some motivations to go through your days, these stories may give you doses of positivity in facing the challenges in front of you.

Be our first guests reading this issue by visiting acrossuhub.com on April 30th.

If you want to become the main character of these stories, or if you have any inspiring stories in your community that you find fascinating, we encourage you to share with us by emails (info@acrossuhub.com) and so more people can be empowered by these stories to inspire the next generations.

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Volunteer Sharing Recipients of 2020 Ontario Volunteer Awards

Michelle Wong Across U-hub gave me a different perspective on volunteering. As a volunteer, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses, build my skills, and easily integrate into the society. With the volunteer experience, I was able to overcome challenges and obstacles through my post-secondary years as well as explore different career paths. Staff and mentors at Across U-hub were open to new ideas that provided me space to grow and improve. These mentors helped me and many others when we faced different challenges, letting us know that we were not alone. The community at Across U-hub gave us an opportunity to give back to the society.

Anna Lui

記得初次來 Across U-hub 便感受到⼀群義⼯和員⼯的熱情，令我不知不覺融⼊這個⼤ 家庭。⼀開始參加義⼯活動並不會多想⾃⼰能從中學習和貢獻些什麼回饋社會。透過不 同的活動中，我們更關注到⾝邊社區的需要，之外更學會多了解和關⼼⾝邊的⼈。在⼀ 路上，很感謝⼤家的包容和⿎勵。要是沒有這些⽀持，我可不會覺得⾃⼰有能⼒幫助社 會，幫助⼤家。施⽐受更有福更快樂，這是我在從Across U-hub這群體中深深體會的 事。這些都是難能可貴的經歷。

Volunteer Sharing con't Recipients of 2020 Ontario Volunteer Awards

Jason Lun I volunteered at Across U-hub as an international student, lost and feeling like I was abandoned by the country as I could not access any services or support.

Across U-hub offered me a safe space to grow and develop myself with guidance and advice. I learned to be a responsible local and global citizen, exploring local homeless and global poverty issues. These experiences inspired me to develop sensitivity toward social issues. I was inspired to serve those who are in need during my recent college practicum at Yonge Street Mission. Also, 2 years ago, I travelled to a developing country to see the needs of its community. Over the years, I have gained many soft skills from numerous opportunities which were extremely helpful for my career. I am also grateful for the mentors who appeared during my toughest times to journey with me as an ally, sacrificing their time and being extremely patient mentoring a rebellious youth. Now I have the privilege to serve the youth as a mentor. I was living in the dark, but God sent His angels to lift me out of darkness. I also want to be one of these angels to enlighten the youth.

If the work of Across U-hub has touched you in any way, please consider supporting us through donations. Your financial support will allow us to do more in supporting our youths.