Message from Associate Executive Director
對許多年輕⼈來說，2024年是充滿挑戰的 年。疫情的影響 尚未完全消退，加上經濟的不穩定和科技的快速發展，讓不 少⼈感到孤單、⾯對⼼理壓⼒，甚⾄迷失了⽅向，不知道⾃ ⼰的未來該怎麼⾛下去。在AcrossU-hub，我們深信，解決 這些挑戰的關鍵不只是提供速成的應對⽅法，⽽是幫助年輕 ⼈建⽴內在的堅韌和領導⼒。我們致⼒於培養他們的適應能 ⼒、同理⼼，還有直⾯挑戰的勇氣，讓每個年輕⼈都能⾃信 地應對⽣活中的各種難題。回顧2024年，我們在關鍵時刻挺 ⾝⽽出，通過 系列有意義的活動，⽀持年輕領袖的成⻑， 同時推動同理⼼和團隊合作精神的發展：
CRAFTeria:Art&HandmadeBazaar是創意與⽂化韌性的精 彩體現。這次市集吸引了30多位年輕的亞洲⼿作藝術家，許 多⼈是新移⺠，努⼒在新環境中拓展⾃⼰的事業。同時，活 動吸引了超過1,700名來⾃不同背景的訪客。參加者不僅欣賞 了從珠寶到陶瓷等精美⼿⼯藝品，還透過互動建⽴了深刻的 關係。我們的義⼯與⼯作⼈員更是全⼒以赴，即使⾯對突如
其來的暴⾬，依然確保活動順利舉⾏。這不僅僅是⼀場市 集，更是Across為年輕⼈創造成⻑、歸屬與喜悅的真實縮 影。
AcrossU-CanYouthAwards帶來了不少叫⼈⿎舞的時刻， 展⽰了年輕領袖的⼒量與願景。像Ella這樣透過現代⽅式演繹
中國傳統戲曲，連結不同種族⽂化；Caleb這位富有同理⼼ 的“⽣命戰⼠”，在這艱難的時期為他⼈帶來希望與啟發； Aaron，通過廣東話戲劇激勵社群⾏動的年輕⼈，以及
Matthew，這位致⼒於成為不同世代間的橋樑，透過⾏動促 進彼此間的理解與對話。他們的故事證明了領導⼒和創造⼒ 如何幫助年輕⼈克服種種挑戰，並且找到⾃⼰的定位。這些 獎項不僅是對個⼈的肯定，更是點燃了希望的光芒，激勵更 多年輕⼈勇敢地迎接挑戰。
Dickson Yip
Message from Associate Executive Director (con’t)
在CityWarmer活動中，我們體驗到看似平凡的 個⼩善
⾏如何產⽣深遠影響。我們的義⼯不僅為無家可歸者準備 了熱騰騰的午餐，還特地為Ve’ahavta的⼯作⼈員製作了 ⼿⼯幸運餅和感謝卡，向這些默默付出的背後英雄表達我 們的謝意。這些⼩⼩的舉動，提醒我們慈悲不僅是幫助有 需要的⼈，也包括感謝那些在背後默默努⼒的⼈。
這些故事不僅是活動的亮點，更是我們⼯作深遠影響的最 佳證明。它們激勵我們繼續努⼒，幫助年輕⼈建⽴堅韌 度、培養領袖⼒，並推動改變。我們誠邀您與我們⼀起前 ⾏，共同激發希望，將挑戰化為成⻑的機會。感謝您 路 的⽀持。讓我們攜⼿共創堅韌未來！
Message from Associate Executive Director
For many young people, 2024 was a challenging year. The aftermath of the pandemic, economic instability, and the rapid advancement of technology left many feeling isolated, grappling with mental health struggles, and uncertain about their direction and purpose At Across U-hub, we believe the solution isn’t just about quick-fix strategies it’s about helping young people build resilience and leadership skills from the inside out. We focus on developing adaptability, empathy, and the courage to face life’s challenges, empowering youth to step into the future with confidence. Looking back on this year, we rose to these challenges with meaningful programs and activities that helped young leaders grow and fostered a spirit of empathy and teamwork:
CRAFTeria: Art & Handmade Bazaar was a shining example of creativity and cultural resilience The event brought together over 30 young Asian artisans many of them new immigrants who worked hard to grow their businesses in a new environment. More than 1,700 visitors from diverse backgrounds came to admire beautifully crafted items like jewelry and ceramics. Through these interactions, artisans built deeper connections with their community and expanded their networks. Our volunteers and staff gave it their all, ensuring the event’s success even when faced with an unexpected rainstorm. This wasn’t just a market; it was a reflection of how Across creates spaces for growth, belonging, and joy
The Across U Can Youth Awards were another highlight, showcasing the strength and vision of young leaders. Ella connected generations by modernizing traditional Chinese theater, Caleb inspired hope and guidance as a “life warrior,” Aaron motivated community action through Cantonese drama, and Matthew became a bridge between generations, fostering understanding and dialogue Their stories showed
Message from Associate Executive Director (con’t)
how leadership and creativity can help young people overcome different challenges and find their place in the world. These awards were more than recognition they sparked hope and encouraged more youth to face challenges head-on
During the City Warmer initiative, we witnessed how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect. Our volunteers prepared warm lunches for homeless individuals and took the extra step of crafting handmade fortune cookies and thankyou cards for Ve’ahavta staff, showing appreciation for their tireless work. These simple gestures reminded us that compassion isn’t just about helping those in need it’s also about valuing those who dedicate themselves to making a difference.
These stories are more than highlights they’re proof of the profound impact of empowering youth and building community. They inspire us to keep pushing forward, helping young people develop resilience, grow as leaders, and create meaningful change. We invite you to join us in this journey. Together, let’s spark hope, turn challenges into opportunities, and build a stronger future. Thank you for your continued support let’s rise stronger together!
Neighbour in Need: Giving Back Through Hands-On Leadership
Today’s youth are increasingly motivated to put their learning into action and see the positive impact they can make in their communities. Building on the theme of “The Power of a Simple Gift”, we spread the spirit of giving through a series of initiatives from the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Project in November to Neighbour in Need program series in December. We organized three Lunch Preps volunteer programs and a Cookies & Muffins Collection Drive, inviting youths to bake, collect and share treats that will bring warmth and joy to the unhoused during the holiday season.
“Lunch Preps” is one of the most impactful hands-on experiences for youth volunteers to prepare sandwiches and baked goods together with other like-minded individuals. In 2024, over 300 sandwiches and 1,000 cookies were donated to Ve’ahavta, a Jewish humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by poverty. These treats were distributed in person to unhoused individuals through outreach vans in a daily basis
“Neighbour In Need” encourage reflection on topics such as “Who are our neighbours?”, “What’s the power of a simple gift?” helping volunteers grow both as givers and recipients, while deepening their understanding of our community and responsibility of a citizen. These discussions are key to their holistic development and demonstrate the essence of the leadership training model Across U-hub advocates.
Teresa Chan
Neighbour in Need: Giving Back Through Hands-On Leadership (con’t)
Clothing Collection Drive
This spirit of giving will continue in January 2025, with the launch of Clothing Collection Drive, encouraging donations of gently used clothing and new hygiene products for unhoused, people living in poverty, refugees, and more
In February 2024, nearly 80 participants took part in a collection drive, gathering, sorting, packing, and delivering 810 pounds of clothing, hygiene products, and blankets Over 50 boxes and bags of donations were delivered to three local nonprofit organizations: Dress for Success, New Circles, and Ve’ahavta These organizations distributed the items to lowincome families, refugees, new immigrants, and unhoused individuals. This drive produced incredibly encouraging results for our volunteers, as they not only supported those in need but also gained valuable training and engagement opportunities.
Let’s come together to share hope, care, and generosity, one simple gift at a time
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