Across Newsletter April 2024

Message

Message from Executive Director

三⽉已過，多倫多⼈都感受到 種共鳴，似乎嚴冬還未 到，春⾵已在⾨外吹拂。縱然我們暗⾃擔憂不尋常的氣 候，但對温暖的天氣仍感到興奮，市⾯充滿著⽣機。

⼿作市場在温和晴朗的三⽉天順利進⾏，細讀網上留⾔， 最多共鳴的留⾔是：「⾼質市場」，這總結了所有參與創 作⼈們的努⼒。去年三⽉，我們重新啟動了Crafteria項 ⽬，默默地聚集了有⼼之⼈，共同朝著⼀個⽬標努⼒創 作，⽴願以⾼質的⼿作呈現給更多⼈認識。背後的⼼願是 啟發年輕的華裔青年，從認識⾃⾝種族⽂化開始，到珍視 ⾃⼰的⽂化⾝分。當⽇吸引了500⼈前來逛市，最令⼈開 ⼼的是看到⼟⽣，移⺠多年和新移⺠的創作⼈們相互欣 賞，建⽴連繫。我看到了很多可能性，屬於他們的天地是 廣闊的。

市集當天，除了創作者忙於招待客⼈外，每個⾓落都有義 ⼯們在努⼒：照顧客⼈的安全、管理⾨外排候⼊場者的秩 序、指揮停⾞場的流動，還有現場攝影和⾳響等。我相信 「⾼質市場」不僅僅指展售的作品，也包括市場的組織安 排，讓客⼈有 個優質的體驗。這正是Across對領袖訓練 的堅持，每位參與者都是主⾓。

今夏，Across將陸續推出不同的活動，打造⾼質的活動， 展現年輕⼈的熱情和動⼒，不要再錯過。

Nicole Wong

Message from Executive Director

March has passed, and Torontonians feel the same that even though Winter has not yet experienced, the Spring breeze is already swaying at the door. Despite our concerns about the unusual weather, we usually prefer the warm weather and there is a vibrant atmosphere everywhere

The Crafteria: Craft Market went smoothly in the warm and sunny March. Reading through comments and reviews on social media, the most resonant feedback was “high-quality market”, which concludes the efforts of all participating handmade crafters. Last March, we relaunched the Crafteria project intended to gather like-minded people to work towards a common goal, striving to present high-quality Asian handmade items to the public. The underlying wish is to inspire young Chinese-Canadian youth, starting from understanding their ethnic culture to appreciating their cultural identity. On the day, we attracted 500 people to visit the market, and what was most heartening was seeing creators from various backgrounds – local-born, immigrants of many years, and newcomers - appreciating each other’s work and building connections.

Besides the creator being busy welcoming guests, there were volunteers working diligently in every corner: taking care of guest safety, managing the lining up visitors at the entrance, directing traffic in the parking lot, as well as handling on-site photography and sound system I believe a “high-quality market” doesn’t just refer to the exhibited works but also includes the organization of the market, ensuring guests have a quality experience. This is exactly what Across is committed to in leadership training, where every participant is a protagonist.

This summer, Across will continue to launch different activities, creating high-quality events to showcase the enthusiasm and vitality of young people. Stay tuned.

Actions speak louder than words

It'shardnottonoticetheunpredictabilityofthewinter weatherlately.There'sbeenadistinctlackofsnowon theground,aphenomenonlargelyattributedtoglobal warming.

Lastweekend,wegatheredagroupofparticipantsto discussraisingenvironmentalawarenessthroughthe CandlelightEarthHourprogram.Asalargegroup,we preparedathree-coursedinnerwithawastelessconcept. Weaimedtoutilizeeverypartoftheingredientsavailable tous.Forinstance,werescuedimperfectpotatoesto makemashedpotatoesandrepurposedpotatoskinsto createafrittata.What'smore,weeventransformed bananapeelsinto"bacon".

Iamdeeplyimpressedbythecreativitydisplayedbyour groupofvolunteers.Theyspenthoursresearchingways toreducefoodwaste,experimentingwithdifferent recipes,andensuringthatparticipantshadampletimeto prepareandenjoythedinner.Throughourefforts,we wereremindedofthesmallstepswecantaketoraise awarenessandpositivelyimpactourplanet.

Tiffany Ore