Across Newsletter Sept 2022

September 2022 issue

Across U-hub Let's get together

Contents Message from Executive Director - 01 A warm place to grow and learn - 02

Message from Executive Director

馬拉松項目在十月啟動，我每天將在佈 滿紅葉的路上跑，在多倫多湖濱馬拉松賽事當天更與 Across 多個義工的第二代，在起跑線一起出發，進軍5K 賽事，是一種快樂，也是一種祝福。 10 月，燃動青年晚宴的籌備工作也如火如荼。今年是 Across 成立20週年，早陣子，我和一位也是創業20多年 的朋友聊天，數著歲月，隱約見到他的眼裏泛著淚光，回 想走過的路，夾雜著喜與憂，好不容易。 細數Across 的二十年，我只能說是恩典。20年來，我們 的團隊存著謙卑的心，緊守崗位，信守承諾，與年輕人同 行。「與年輕人同行」是一個簡單的口號，二十年的實 踐，確實是另一回事。我衷心感謝有人關懷，有人信任， 有人同行，縱然擔心有時，困擾有時，但我看到年輕人在 Across的群體中，建立珍貴和深厚的友誼，相互扶持和成 長，就是每天向前行的動力。 翻看20年來為活動製作的無數美術設計，記錄了不同年代 年輕人的心意和創作。趁著20週年之際 ，我們精心挑選 了部分圖案，重新設計製作了多套小禮品，是一份美感和 意義並重的手工禮品，藉此和參加者和支持者重尋一起走 過的足跡。 十月跑在楓樹路上，感受著楓葉一天一天慢慢轉色，彷彿 與年輕人同行一樣，默默守護他們成長，只管陪著他們同 行。朝向未來，縱然面對瞬間萬變的新世代，我們的活動 必須不斷更新，但與年輕人結連依然是我們的承諾。 Run with Across

Nicole Wong

A warm place to grow and learn In the past, I have only participated event by event at different organizations. But at Across, I met many volunteers that have been here for over ten years. I have wondered what attracts them to stay here for such a long period. After organizing different activities and working among them, I have begun to realize that it is because of the connections and the space for volunteers to learn.

The first time I joined an Across activity, I met some experienced volunteers. They were enthusiastic and willing to share their experience to me. As a newcomer to Canada, I was curious about everything around me and Toronto. They shared some interesting places and their stories to me. I enjoyed listening to their stories as I can imagine how my life will be. In the meantime, they often engaged me in conversations so that I did not feel alone in this new environment.

Recently, I worked close with some longtime volunteers at the volunteer orientation. After sharing Across’ missions and programs, experienced volunteers would approach and talk to new ones to know more about them. The new volunteers felt relaxed and shared their strengths and weaknesses, and areas they are interested to take part in at Across.

I feel that Across focuses on the volunteers as people, and not just someone to get the job done.

Sonia Lui

A Warm place to grow and learn Moreover, I noticed that volunteers devote lots of their time to contribute to the Across community. They spend time to plan, discuss and prepare materials for events. Even when it is something that they have done many times, they will still evaluate to make improvements. They do not just finish the work, but do the best of it. Besides, experienced volunteers emphasized that mistakes happen, but we can correct it next time. Across has that space for new volunteers to learn from their mistakes.

It is not just a place to volunteer; it is a place to learn and grow. Volunteers are able to get involved in every step on event planning and implementing of programs. This is very valuable compared with other volunteer programs. It is the kind of volunteer program that I would look for if I were younger, to learn different kinds of skills. It is a place for all volunteers to keep learning and growing.

Now, I understand why people keep volunteering at Across for years. The people at Across are devoted and willing to serve; in the meantime, Across believes in giving the space for people to learn and unearth their potential.