Message from Executive Director
⾃從 ⽉初從香港回來，多倫多幾乎每天都飄著紛⾶⽩ 雪。昨天下班到今早上班，我已經掃了三次雪，沒有厭 煩，反⽽⽣出⼀種莫名的喜悅，這才是雪國應有的氣象 吧？⾨外漫天⾶雪，窗台上的⼩⼩無花果苖，茁出了翠綠 的新葉，彷彿提醒著我們温暖的春天已悄然踏⾄。
多年未曾回港，這次與家⼈朋友相聚，⼼中滿是溫暖與感 動。他們關⼼地問：「多倫多冷嗎？移⺠⽣活⾟苦嗎？經 濟困難嗎？⽇⼦會不會很悶？」這些問題，我其實也曾經 問過⾃⼰。然⽽，當我今天早晨開⾞上班，看到學校⾨ 前，⼩朋友們戴著厚厚的⽑帽，穿著雪⾐，套上禦寒⼿ 套，在操場上蹦蹦跳跳、嬉戲玩耍，完全沒有因為寒冷⽽ 退縮時，我⼼中有了⼀個答案，這⼀切，都是理所當然。 寒冷是⾃然的
部分，就像年輕⼈的成⻑歷程 樣，雖然 會遇到嚴寒，但也因此學會了禦寒。青春的歲⽉本就應該 是充滿希望與熱情的，擁有無限可能，有能⼒攀上⾼⼭， 越過低⾕。
過去⼀年，我們⾛出了COVID的陰霾，Across舉辦了許多 嶄新且富有意義的活動。今年⼆⽉開始，SHARP將陸續⾛ 進學校、教會與社區機構，透過⼀系列互動項⽬，與青少 年交流，細⼼聆聽、⽤⼼觀察，與他們同⾏，陪伴他們成 ⻑。我們相信，每 個年輕⼈的故事都值得被聽⾒，每 個夢想都值得被⿎勵。
Nicole Wong
Message from Executive Director (con’t)
不知不覺間，Crafteria已凝聚了⼀群充滿熱忱的參與者。
他們每週抽出兩⼩時，親⼿製作⼼愛的⼯藝品，送給⾃ ⼰，也送給朋友。這不僅是藝術創作，更是 場療癒⼼靈
的旅程，年輕⼈在這裡不僅學會欣賞，更領略了東⽅美藝 的獨特魅⼒，內⼼充滿感動。今年，我們計畫開設更多⼯ 作坊、市集，與不同的藝術單位交流，期望拓展⼤家的視 野，打造更廣闊的分享平台。
我始終相信，選擇與年輕⼈同⾏，不只是⼀種理念，更是 種⾏動。我們⽤雙⼿與⼼靈，搭建起 座橋樑，讓創意 與夢想在這裡匯聚、綻放。新的 年，希望Across依然 是⼀個充滿⽣命⼒的地⽅，凝聚不同⼈的智慧與⼒量，透 過無限的想像⼒與創意，陪伴年輕⼈成⻑。
願我們攜⼿並進，迎接新的⼀年！
Message from Executive Director
Since returning from Hong Kong in early January, Toronto has been blanketed in snow almost every day. Just from yesterday after work to this morning, I have already shovelled three times Yet, instead of feeling frustrated, I find myself filled with a quiet joy, this is what winter in a north should feel like, isn’t it? Outside, the snow falls endlessly, yet on my windowsill, a tiny fig sapling has sprouted fresh green leaves, as if quietly reminding us that the warmth of spring is approaching.
It had been years since I last visited Hong Kong, and this reunion with family and friends filled my heart with warmth and gratitude. Many of them asked with care, “Is Toronto cold? Is immigrant life tough? Is the economy challenging? Do you ever feel lonely?” These are questions I have asked myself as well However, this morning, as I drove past a school and saw children bundled up in wool hats, snow jackets, and warm gloves, joyfully running and playing in the playground, completely undisturbed by the cold And in that moment, I had my answer Everything is as it should be. The cold is simply part of nature, just as challenges are part of a young person’s journey. Through winter, they learn resilience; through hardship, they grow stronger. Youth is meant to be filled with hope, passion, and boundless possibilities the strength to climb mountains and walk through valleys.
Last year, we emerged from the shadows of COVID-19 and Across has hosted numerous new and meaningful activities. Starting this February, SHARP will be stepping into schools, churches, and community organizations to engage with young people through a series of in-person interactive programs. We will listen attentively, observe with care, and walk alongside them in their journey. We firmly believe that every young person’s story deserves to be heard, and every dream deserves to be encouraged.
Message from Executive Director (con’t)
Meanwhile, our Crafteria has naturally gathered a group of passionate participants. Every week, they dedicate two hours to creating handmade crafts gifts for themselves and for others. This is more than just artistic creation; it has become a therapeutic journey, where young people not only learn to appreciate craftsmanship but also embrace the unique beauty of Eastern art, leaving them deeply inspired This year, we plan to offer more workshops, craft markets, and collaborations with different organizations to broaden horizons and create a more expansive platform for sharing and connection.
I have always believed that choosing to walk alongside young people is not just a thought but an action. As we embark on a new year, I hope Across continues to be a place full of vitality, bringing together wisdom and strength from different individuals to support young people’s growth through imagination and innovation.
Let’s step forward hand in hand and embrace the year ahead!
Through the Lens: A Journey of Storytelling
I still remember clearly when COVID hit, the city went into lockdown, and Across had to cancel all in-person programs. Our staff team struggled to find ways to deliver our programs online. One of the initiatives we implemented was the Across The Lens e-publication.
The name Across The Lens represents seeing the interviewee’s story through the eyes and perspectives of our young writers. When we introduced the e-publication in 2021, our focus was on sharing stories of small businesses and entrepreneurs who fought to survive during the pandemic Later, we shifted our focus to individual stories, believing that everyone has a story worth telling. Whether the journey is smooth or challenging, every story has the power to inspire others.
At the start of 2025, we invited our editorial team members to reflect on their experiences with Across The Lens. What touched me the most was that all of them agreed meeting and interviewing people has been a deeply rewarding experience, one that wouldn’t have been possible without this initiative. Some also shared how the editorial team has been a source of support, helping each other navigate challenges in directing interviews and writing articles.
It is heartwarming to see how Across The Lens has become more than just a publication it is a space for connection, growth, and storytelling.
Tiffany Ore