Across Newsletter July 2021

JULY 2021 ISSUE

Across U-hub TOGETHER WE CARRY ON

Contents Message from Executive Director - 01 Summer Intern Sharing - 02 City Mosaic Weekly Winners - 03

Message from Executive Director July’s weather in Toronto has been both sunny and rainy. I hope everyone is well.

Braving through the lack of physical connections and activities, you may wonder what other types of engagements can Across U-hub bring to serve young people in our community over the summer. Let me share with you some recent activities through the experiences of our two summer interns.

Our summer interns have been contacting SHARP students regularly online, guiding them to form trust circles through specially designed programs and games. They have been encouraging students to overcome difficulties with positivity. They have also acted as ambassadors for City Mosaic, tried City Mosaic's challenges, and shared their experiences through live streams. They are the most excited but also most nervous about hosting the Chat Talk program, where they interview guests and invite them to share their stories with our audiences.

Both have described the internship at Across U-hub as an unforgettable and unique experience.

Nicole Wong

During the pandemic, we have received numerous messages of care from our friends and supporters. Some had even asked directly: "Can you keep going?" Yes, we need to make a lot of adjustments in our work. Sometimes we feel tired and sometimes we feel alone. But knowing that someone is walking with us is "extra uplifting."

Thank you for staying with us along the way.

August is approaching, and so is the next issue of our publication, Across the Lens: Stories of You and Me. Please don't forget to visit acrossuhub.com!

The weather may not always be what we expected. But, I wish everyone can enjoy all the good things through the storm or under the sun. Stay healthy!

Summer Intern Sharing

Angel Yang I am an urban planning student at the University of Toronto. This summer, I had the opportunity of an internship at Across U-hub. I had never heard of this organization before, but I resonated with the mission of creating a community for Chinese-Canadian youth, and I wanted to learn more. If you asked me what my original plans were this summer, I would say that I wanted to work as an urban planning assistant. I did not expect my role with Across to be very relevant in my future career path, but as the internship went on, I was proved wrong. This experience taught me about the importance of community and civic engagement, especially for youth. I realized that the City Mosaic was not just a fun game for kids, but an opportunity for youth to interact with their surroundings, make precious memories, and create a sense of belonging. This is particularly impactful for the participants at Across because many are international students or newcomers in Canada.

I learned so much from my time at Across, from meeting inspiring staff members like Nicole, Tiffany, and Joel, to bonding with my fellow intern Nelson, to interacting directly with the highschool students in the program. I was able to practice my creativity, leadership, and public-facing skills through working on online promotions. My favourite part of the internship would be interviewing people and mentoring the students. I feel grateful to be able to gain new perspectives about how community organizations are essential to the vitality and wellbeing of cities. I will definitely carry the lessons and skills that I have gained here into my endeavors in the future.

Summer Intern Sharing

Nelson Qiu I am a Public Policy student at the University of Toronto. I was employed

by Across U-hub as an intern this summer. I am grateful for the opportunity for me to get to know and to work in local charities like Across Uhub. I have learnt many useful skills that will benefit my future career and have met lots of great people who are passionate about youth development.

During my internship, the core members of Across U-hub such as Nicole, Tiffany, Joel, and Penny provided countless support to me and my fellow intern Angel. I like the way they passed their knowledge and the value of Across U-hub to the youth.

This unique internship experience assisted me to build a solid foundation for my future career, allowed me to develop my communication skills, leadership skills, and challenge and know more about myself.

I think the specialty about the internship in Across is that I did many things during the internship that I never thought I would do, for example, I’d never do an Instagram live if it wasn't for promoting the City Mosaic program and I’d never have initiated a interview with strangers if it wasn't for the internship. Besides selfdevelopment, during the internship, I recognized the power of teamwork, I've learnt how to play my role in a team, how to collaborate with team members, and how to contribute to the team. I think the internship is consistent with what I said to Joel and Tiffany during the interview, to improve myself and to help program participants to improve themselves simultaneously.

Weekly Winners City Mosaic

E.T. Seton Park by @kelly.lxymm

Earl Bales Park by @dukesong4

Earl Bales Park by @tracy_gagagaaa

Weekly Winners City Mosaic

Earl Bales Park by @angelybeams

Toronto Old Town by @itsgracelam

Willowdale by @hea_cm2021

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.