Across Newsletter Oct 2022

2022

Across U-hub Let's get together

Message from Executive Director

When I started Across U hub 20 years ago, there were very few organizations serving Chinese immigrant youth Young Chinese immigrants were perceived to be newcomers of privilege. Many came from families that had the resources to enable them to be financially self sufficient and acquire personal property like cars or houses. Their cultural upbringing placed an emphasis on academics, which led to them to excel academically in the Canadian school system.

On the surface, everything appeared normal and in many cases, better than normal. Under the surface, many of these young people existed with a deep sense of loneliness and hopelessness; and, this greatly impacted their mental and emotional health. However, the outward appearance of success and privilege led to difficulties in helping the public understand the unique needs and challenges faced by this group of young people.

For me, I was deeply concerned about how these young people were adapting to life when by any measure, their entire family, school, and social lives had ultimately been upended overnight. As I got to know these youth better, I realized that they needed a place that would support them in the long journey of navigating the many conflicting social, economic, and cultural values that exist for a young Chinese immigrant to Canada.

Nicole Wong

Message from Executive Director

I began with a few friends who shared the same vision to set up a place called Across U hub. We didn’t have any funding or pre existing models to follow. We didn’t have a business network or prior experience. What we did have, however, was a deep sense of service and commitment to these youth.

This year, we celebrate our 20th anniversary serving this community of young people not only newcomers, but also the second generation of immigrants as well. Over the past 20 years, we ’ ve had over 88,000 young people participate in 1800 programs We train 170 volunteers annually. We’ve expanded our physical facilities twice and partnered with Samaritan’s Purse, David Suzuki Foundation, Parks Canada, the Toronto District School Board and more to directly serve youth from all backgrounds, not just those of Chinese descent.

How did we do it? How did we survive? The story is too long to be told briefly. Simply put, we would not have been able to accomplish any of this without you our volunteers, donors, brothers and sisters in the church, and many other friends we ’ ve made along the way.

Thank you! We hope that you will to continue to support our work for the next 20 years.

As there are too many stories to tell here, I look forward to sharing more with you at our annual Across U Hub Fundraising Gala. After a two year absence due to Covid, the gala returns on November 13 with an evening of youth art, performance, and the life changing stories of our alumni

would not have beenable to accomplish any tof his without you

Message from Executive Director

Save the date and join the gala on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Grand York Ballroom, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel, 600 Hwy 7 East, Richmond Hill More information is available at: https://acrossuhub.com/events/frd2022/

I thank you for all your support we could not do this without you As we look forward to the future, we strive to expand our program capacities and the number of youths we are able to reach and serve. We hope that you continue to share in our vision as we continue to grow Across over the next 20 years

With thanks, Nicole

takes a village to raise young people

It takes many more people than teachers, youth workers and parents to nurture youths. Here are some that I have encountered over the years: the hair barber who hires and trains youths at the ‘bottom’ of the education system; the music teacher who insists on believing youths in rehab are striving to change their lives; the government grant office receptionist who is equally helpful to well dressed adults as well as inexperienced youth applicants; the printshop technician who works patiently with a youth placing only a small order

As youths venture into the community, to interact with shops, businesses and public institutions, they are interacting with an increasing number of people. It will not only take time for them to navigate accessing different services, but also to grow to be sensitive of people’s motivations and personalities

Readers who have gone through that stage of life would remember the valuable guidance and support that once built up our own experience Often these guidance and support would be offered by total strangers who chose to put in the effort to take youths seriously

We may say to youths, “believe in yourself” or “ you are worthy”. But these ideas are magnified when people, strangers or not, give young people a chance; listening to young people, serving them as clients, treating them as valued customer, or partnering with them as equals.

Samson Wong