Chinatown Youth Initiatives

Meet Momo! 🫶 @cyinyc Momo has been an avid participant in CYI’s programs since she was in 8th grade! From Chinatown Beautification Day (CBD), to Chinatown Literacy Project (CLP), and Summer Leadership Institute (SLI), Momo has actively nurtured her passion for community. Momo said, “There is a huge part about CYI that has helped me grow a community so I feel less isolated, less alone. And I also get to build my leadership skills to face the real world as I grow up.” In addition to learning lifelong skills, youth can participate in CYI’s various programs while building community along the way. Momo reflected, “I have actually met a lot of my close friends through CYI, and these are people I met in the various programs. The way I see it, once you do one program [with CYI] you really can’t stop.” #ThriveTogether

✨Thrive Together Collaborative Partner Spotlight: Chinatown Youth Initiatives!✨ Mission: Chinatown Youth Initiatives was created for and by youth to address the needs of Chinatown, AAPIs, and other underrepresented communities by strengthening awareness of self-identity and community issues through project initiatives. CYI is a central part of the youth engagement ecosystem in Manhattan’s Chinatown. CYI’s programs teach youth to care about and be engaged in their local community while also teaching them how to discern what’s personally important to them in their community journey. Their Summer Leadership Institute runs workshops that foster safe spaces to discuss community, mental health, belonging, and more as cohorts annually learn about AAPI history, disability rights, solidarity, activism, and allow participants become Chinatown’s next generation of leaders together. To learn more, follow @cyinyc and consider supporting their work! #thrivetogether

CYI is incredibly THRILLED to announce that we have been chosen as a grantee of the ⭐️STRONGER TOGETHER COLLABORATIVE⭐️ launched by The Jeremy Lin Foundation and The Asian American Foundation! Thank you so much to @jlin7 @jlinfoundation @taaforg for supporting our organization so that we can continue the unifying spirit of #LINSANITY, aiming to further bring together AAPI youth and communities of color.🧡 In recent years with increased attention on anti-Asian hate, community and solidarity is more important than ever for our youth. Students came together to express their feelings through art and dialogue, learned about the importance of service, and took charge in creating spaces to better serve Chinatown residents and Asian American communities. In moments of pain, we can often feel helpless, but our youth decided to lead. By empowering them to create, plan, and execute projects on their own, the coordinators—high school and college students—launched projects and partnered with non-profits and speakers to find cross-generational, cross-racial solidarity. We couldn’t have achieved this grant and recognition without the hard work from our family of CYI alum and supporters. 🫶

‼️ UPDATE this event is postponed until June because of renovations! Stay tuned for the new date. ‼️ Join CYI for a cozy, one-of-a-kind afternoon exploring music, memory, and community with @rochellehkwan Rochelle Hoi-Yiu Kwan (aka yiuyiu 瑶瑶). Through the rich archive of Chinatown Records @chinatownrecordsproject , we’ll gather for an intimate “living room” listening session by sharing stories, songs, and the sounds that connect generations. ✨ Come ready to: • Discover sonic histories from Chinatown • Reflect on your own memories through music • Connect with CYI and the greater Chinatown community in a warm, welcoming space 🗓️ Sunday, May 17, 2026 ⏰ 2:00–4:00 PM 📌 @thinkchinatown Studio – 1 Pike Street, New York, NY 10002 RSVP in our bio today!!!

🎬 Calling all high school storytellers! A new documentary by @kittyxhu @shoesoffmedia featuring @welcome.to.chinatown is hosting a youth storytelling workshop series in Chinatown. ✨ Learn filmmaking (direct, shoot, edit) ✨ Create a short film on a local small business ✨ Work closely with experienced filmmakers ✨ Amplify real stories from the Chinatown community ✨ Gain hands-on experience + mentorship 🗓 Fridays: April 17, 24 & May 1 (4–6 PM) 📍 Chinatown 👥 Small cohort (6 students) Know a student who’d be a great fit? Apply via the link in bio or share with someone who should!

We’re relaunching the Chinatown Community Builders (CCB) and opening applications for new leadership opportunities. The program brings together high school fellows for in-person workshops during the summer to design, prototype, and reflect on community initiatives to benefit Chinatown. Program directors and facilitators will help execute the curriculum, support fellows, and foster a supportive space. Full role details coming soon—stay tuned! 📌 Program Director applications open soon 📣 Program Facilitator application drops in March 🏫 High school fellow recruitment begins in May ☀️ Summer program based in NYC

Our Lunar New Year meetup at @ms.yoo is coming up soon! Food and drinks will be provided, so we’d really appreciate it if you could RSVP via our Partiful (bio link) to help us plan a rough headcount. We’re looking forward to celebrating with you 😊🧧 *this event will be held at a bar/for those that are 21+ only

Because of you, 2025 was a powerful year for CYI. Explore our Impact Report to see the stories, alumni journeys, and leadership that shaped this year—including a feature on our founder, Gloria S. Chan! Link in our bio / highlights. 🥳🥂

Today we’re excited to feature a CYI alum whose journey reflects the full continuum of our programs—from participant to coordinator, facilitator, and advisor. Involved with CYI for nearly a decade, Ben Fang’s story shows how youth leadership grows over time and how community stays with you long after graduation: “As a participant, you’re opening your eyes to the larger social issues impacting your life. That’s huge as a teenager trying to understand the world around you, especially when you’re learning alongside peers and have people to reflect with. When you step into a coordinator or facilitator role, it’s a whole different level—you gain ownership of helping others realize these issues for themselves. Being in charge teaches you so much—execution, goal-setting, timelines—and it really prepares you for what comes next, whether that’s college or entering the workforce. CYI becomes a springboard.” Stories like Ben’s are why CYI has continued to sustain itself for 25 years. Your support helps create these long-term pathways for youth to grow lead, and stay connected to Chinatown during their youth and into adulthood. Support us at cyinyc.org/donate (link in bio) 🧡

Before CYI became what it is today, it started with a vision from Gloria S. Chan. We’re honored to share words from CYI’s founder, who reflected on how the organization has evolved over the years: “It’s so wonderful to see how CYI has become self-sustained. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that it would continue on without my direct involvement. That really speaks to the power of people holding space for one another and paying it forward… It reflects the strength of community—the desire to uplift others and support growth. CYI has benefitted so much from that collective spirit, and I’m immensely proud.” While we introduce our programs have expanded and leadership has changed over the years, CYI’s commitment to youth leadership and empowerment in Chinatown has always stayed true to its core. Your support continues to shape what CYI becomes next! Give today at cyinyc.org/donate (link in bio) 🧡

As we continue our #givingtuesday campaign, we’re proud to introduce another CYI alumna who has joined the board of directors this year! Welcome back Jennelle, who served as a teacher for @chinatownliteracyproject and director for @sli.cyi : “I’m grateful to be returning to CYI, a community that welcomed me when I was eager to learn more about NYC youth engagement. My experience in both CLP and SLI has shaped the way I view leadership and creating a safe space for participants to have meaningful discussions. Coming back feels like a full-circle moment. I’m excited to have the chance to bring the knowledge and experience gained throughout the years to support our program leaders and participants.” Your generosity helps leaders like Jennelle come back to CYI: to mentor youth, strengthen our programs, and shape Chinatown’s future. Give today at cyinyc.org/donate to help support the next generation of leaders who will continue CYI’s work for years to come! 💜