Across Newsletter October 2021

OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

Across U-hub TOGETHER WE CARRY ON

Contents Message from Executive Director - 01 Marathon Runners Sharing -02 2021 Ontario Service Awards Volunteers Sharing - 03 Across the Lens: Stories of You and Me - 04

Message from Executive Director On the morning of October 17, 2021, I completed the 10km race of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in downtown Toronto. This year’s marathon not only marks 10 years since I started running, but also the 10th anniversary of Across U-hub’s community members running together as a group. Ten years is a long time.

When you’ve spent 10 years doing something, that time is worth reflecting on.

I initially started running in 2012, when I signed up for that year’s 5km race. The experience was awful. The weather was cold, I felt miserable, and I was physically and mentally exhausted from the start. I vowed never to run another marathon. To my own surprise, I returned the following year. Gradually, I increased my running goals until three years later (2015), I completed my first half marathon. Last year (2020), I completed my first full marathon virtual race, and followed it up by reaching 200km in the same month. Running has allowed me to spend more time outdoors, discover secret hideaways and trails, and become a refuge when things are overwhelming. Running has unlocked a sense of inner peace.

Nicole Wong

Message from Executive Director con't On the surface, it may seem like I have a passion for running. However, the reality is that I don’t feel the same love for running that most long-term runners do. I don’t run regularly, I don’t feel excited while running, and I’d probably even feel happy if the marathon I was training for was cancelled at the last minute. I’d like to experience, if just for a moment, the deep personal, emotional, and spiritual connection the most passionate runners have with the sport.

While I’m still waiting for the day when I fall in love with running, I’ve come to realize that feeling passionate about running is not a prerequisite for experiencing the wonder and joy of running. With each step I take, I’m reminded of how resilient the physical body is. I’m in awe that my body can carry me so far, for so long. With each finish line I cross, I’m reminded that I can accomplish goals I did not think I could achieve. And with each Run with Across series I participate in, I’m reminded of incredible shared experience that comes from committing to a common goal.

Message from Executive Director con't Run With Across is an annual event where members participate in the Scotiabank Marathon to fundraise for Across U-hub. We originally conceived the event as a way for members from all walks of life and ages to learn to set goals and overcome challenges. I initially participated because I wanted to support our members in the journey.

However, as time passed, the event has become the highlight of my year. Over the past 10 years, I witnessed the commitment of people to different goals and seen how far they can push themselves both mentally and physically. As a community, we’ve experienced how committing to this run creates positive change and shifts how we look at things. The shared experience of this community is the reason why I am still running with them, 10 years later.

As I write this article, the marathon virtual race is still in progress, I could not wait to celebrate our achievements and listen to our stories with 46 runners from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. They joined our virtual running and ran at their at own pace at the place of their choice.

Each of us has set our own goals for each run. We also have a common goal, which is to raise funds for Across U-hub.

Click here to learn more about our running and sponsor Across to continue its work. https://raceroster.com/events/2021/48139/2021-scotiabanktoronto-waterfront-marathon/fundraisingorganization/30610

Marathon Runners Sharing The first day I walked for the virtual marathon this October, the sky was clear and the tips of the maple trees were just turning red. It was a beautiful day to start my 42km as I strolled through a gradient from green to orange to red.

It is my 5th year running for Across U-hub, and the 2nd time running virtually. Last year, I walked with my baby still in my belly, and this year in the stroller (which is much easier)! With Covid since the beginning of 2020, the opportunity to get outdoors was invaluable. It encouraged me to get some exercise and some fresh air throughout my pregnancy and postpartum, while fundraising for an organization that has significantly helped both my husband and I when we were younger.

The weather is getting cooler now, and the leaves have begun to fall. It's motivating to see all the Across U-hub runners working towards their goals via the app with only a few days left! I look forward to running in-person again with everyone, and by then, my son will be running on his own two feet!

Joanna Kwok

Marathon Runners Sharing con't Across has always been about teamwork: either that means putting our heads together to meet an event deadline, or virtually running together to raise money and awareness for our youths.

Although this year is only my second time running for Across, it has been just as memorable as the first. No matter where we are, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, or Hong Kong, we are all striving for one purpose - to allow Across U-hub to impact even more youths in the future. The pandemic has separated us, just like how Across is separated from its youths, but there is still a strong sense of togetherness that pulls us together.

The bond that we have built over the years cannot be set apart by a mere virus.

Sarah Yeung

2021 Ontario Service Award Volunteer Sharing I first joined Across through a good friend from High School.

She knew that I did a lot of extra-curricular activities when I was in University. She told me that Across will be a good platform for me to continue my volunteer journey after graduation. In the past ten years of volunteering at Across, I discovered a forte that I wouldn't have known when I was in school or through my co-op experiences. I realized that I am a detailed oriented person when planning an activity. I was able to enhance this skill through numerous event planning opportunities that Across provided me. I also discovered a new character trait where I actually like leading a team of people to achieve a mutual goal. The selfsatisfaction through planning a great event and seeing it executed successfully encouraged me to continue to serve this organization. I got great mentors who trained me to be a more humble person and walked the path with me when I got frustrated and encountered an obstacle in life. The most precious element was I got to meet with new friends through different Across events where we became even closer through weeks of planning with laughter and stressfulness and gatherings that motivated me to keep coming back to this warm and happy environment.

Louis Chow

2021 Ontario Service Award Volunteer Sharing con't I first heard of Across U-hub through a friend (Nancy Fok 😊) back when we were completing our graduate program together. At the time, I wondered what was this organization that she kept bringing up, and what motivated her to volunteer while balancing our course load?

When I had time after graduating, Nancy introduced me to volunteer at Across as well. The first event I helped with was City Mosaic 2015. Shortly after that, I was invited to join the volunteer team and have been a member of this team ever since.

The vision and work of Across U-hub resonated with me from the start – I came to Canada at a young age, so I wanted to give back and support other youth that are new to Canada. As I immersed myself into the Across community, being a part of Across became more than participating in various events throughout the year. Over time, I have and continue to gain friends with whom I hang out with beyond the physical walls and organized programs of Across, friends that inspire and keep me accountable as I grow. It is the people here and all the laughter and memories we share that motivate me to serve continuously.

Karman Ho

Across the Lens: Stories of You and Me From 1 to 10, how rooted do you feel you are in Canada?

Autumn is a time when almost everyone pays attention to the leaves, whether to appreciate their colours or to rake them. If you spent your childhood or youthful days in Canada, you might really enjoy the sound of walking on dry leaves, or lying under a tree to look up at their red and yellow silhouette.

Samson Wong

As the new Editor-in-Chief of Across the Lens, I eagerly joined both tree-planting activities in September and October. After toiling in the sun, the rain and the wind together, I listened to youths share about their connections to Canada. Their sharing made me wonder, do we build connection with a place simply and only by counting our days lived, or is there something more? One of the story in this issue brings to readers a youth’s enlightening answer.

As our self-identification changes from being a ‘new arrival’ to a ‘local’, our comfort zone also expands. In this upcoming issue, we also present two people in professions not common to Chinese: the Spiritual Care Practitioner, and the Visual Arts School owner/teacher. What inspired and compelled them into these careers? I sincerely invite you to come listen to their stories!

Visit http://acrossuhub.com or https://www.facebook.com/AcrossUhub on Oct 29th to read this issue.

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.