Across Newsletter May 2021

MAY 2021 ISSUE

Across U-hub TOGETHER WE CARRY ON

Contents Message from Board Chairman - 01 City Mosaic Volunteers Sharing - 02 E-stories - 03

Message from Board Chairman The new influx of immigrants from Hong Kong is a very hot topic within my social circle. I have seen numerous WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and YouTube videos, where people share their own experience in adapting to the Canadian environment. Everything feels like the clock has been turned back 30 years when my parents, like thousands of others in Hong Kong, uprooted and moved to Canada in the 1990s.

My personal experience as an immigrant youth was the major catalyst of my involvement in Coffee + Tea - an on-stage drama in 1997 which later became the prototype of Across. Coffee + Tea ( ), as a representation of the unique culture of Hong Kong, signifies a specialty drink which mixes coffee and tea together ( ). Throughout the years, we have learned that youths from Hong Kong have been dealing with complex identity issues. Our observations based on various Across programs have been consistent with the research findings from the Toronto District School Board, (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/research/ docs/reports/PortraitsEastAsian.pdf)

哥⾮加池 港式鴛鴦

Is Across ready for this new influx of immigrant youths from Hong Kong? I have no doubt that the recent wave is going to be very different from the 1st wave during the 1990s. Recently, I read a book written by Robert Iger, who was appointed as the CEO of Walt Disney in 2005. His success in renovating the business of Walt Disney is a fascinating story.

A key lesson highlighted in his book is an accurate description of the current era: Now more than ever: innovate or die.

As a youth organization, it is always important to stay agile. Let’s keep innovating and keep adapting to the new challenges lying ahead.

City Mosaic Volunteers Sharing

Melody Ho City Mosaic 2021 must be one of the most challenging ones to plan for to date. I had been a part of the planning committee on and off for the past seven years. What used to be a fun community of like-minded individuals getting together, visiting new places and supporting each other through the tasks that needs to be done for the game has reduced down to spending grueling hours in front of the screen for planning, game designing, and virtual meetings. Then it is pulling yourself out of the house to do site visits and on location research—oftentimes, alone. What used to be enjoyable has rendered down to dry and unassuming tasks that just need to be completed.

It was then that we realized something was wrong. We were so focused on creating something for the community that we had neglected our very own community. There is no way we can spread joy to our participants if we cannot find the joy in it ourselves. Two months into planning, we started investing time with our own team. Setting aside the to-do list, we called, we messaged, we talked, and we listened. Week after week, we saw more members committing to the meeting, less members being distracted and on mute. Week after week, we saw the team coming together. It has been six months in the planning and City Mosaic 2021 is finally here. In the past, the game itself was a big to-do list. But this year, it is different. We hope you find it refreshing to dive deep into your neighbourhood and to experience the community through our eyes. As you walk the streets, take in the labour of love that we shed knowing that we have been there, and we so hope we can experience this with you as a community.

City Mosaic con't Volunteers Sharing

Patrick Wong City Mosaic (CM) has always been a signature event for Across U-hub; thousands of people have participated in the past. While it was cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic, it comes roaring back in 2021.

One of the mantras of CM is to step beyond one’s comfort zone, to explore and to gain new experiences. This is true not only for participants, but also for volunteers, like myself, who has been a part of the CM program team (i.e. the game planning team) for the last few years.

COVID restriction meant physical meetings at Across U-hub were replaced by Zoom meetings.

Checkpoint visits were done individually as opposed to groups. While the meetings felt more draining and the outings felt lonelier, it also struck me of the importance of a community hub like Across: not only does Across deliver programs, it also serves as a place for volunteers and participants to connect and socialize.

In 2021, the program team has reimagined CM. For the first time, it will be played via an app, with new rules and gameplay, new checkpoints, and new awards. None of these changes happened accidentally; they are all thoughtful decisions, after hours of discussions weighing the pros and cons, or from testing and retesting to what we believe will best deliver the spirit of City Mosaic, albeit in a new format. I sincerely encourage you to sign up this year and be part of this new era of City Mosaic.

E-stories Story is powerful. It holds the attention of the readers. Every issue of E-stories is crafted by a group of youth who sincerely want to share what they have found inspiring and insightful from the protagonist of these stories. Pay a visit to Across Uhub website, then you will find these amazing stories for the next issue at the end of June.

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 email us at info@acrossuhub.com. By sharing your story, we hope more people can be empowered to inspire the next generations.

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.