On September 14, 2025, the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs held the launch ceremony for the 12th round of funded projects and Youth Workshop under the Volunteer Project Support Center for Under-Served Youth at its Markham office. Markham City Councillor Isa Lee attended the event in person, joining mentors, evaluation experts, three funded youth teams, and numerous youth volunteers to witness the commencement of this new round of projects.
This initiative is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Service Corps (CSC). It is designed to empower youth—especially those from underserved communities—by offering practical opportunities for skill-building, leadership development, confidence enhancement, and fostering social responsibility through project implementation, mentorship, peer learning, and interactive workshops.
Project Launch and Grant Presentation
Markham City Councillor Isa Lee and President Liu of the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs, presented funding cheques to three youth teams, encouraging them to pursue their initiatives with courage and commitment to community service.
Congratulatory Messages and On-Site Support: Encouraging Youth to Grow Through Practice
Markham City Councillor Isa Lee attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. In her remarks, Councillor Lee first congratulated the three youth teams on receiving government funding, highly commended the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs for its strong organizational capacity, and expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Youth Volunteer Project Support Center to the local community.
She emphasized that youth are the driving force of social progress and the future of the nation. Reflecting on her own recent community event, she noted that nearly all volunteers were young people—an inspiring demonstration of the vital role youth play in community building.
Councillor Lee encouraged the young participants to pursue learning, stay engaged with society, foster innovation, and actively take on responsibility. She further assured them that should they encounter challenges in their projects, they are always welcome to seek her support.
President’s Address: Advancing Together, Promoting Public Good
President Liu of the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Councillor Isa Lee for her presence and support. She noted that, in addition to the three newly funded teams, representatives from three previously launched projects also returned to share their experiences and exchange updates on project progress, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.
President Liu encouraged more young people to apply and participate in volunteer initiatives, and called on everyone to actively promote the program to broaden its impact.
The event was hosted by Xiaoshan, a VIP member of the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs and a bilingual community host in Toronto. The atmosphere was lively, with active engagement and interaction among participants.
Workshop: Mentors and Youth Sharing Growth Experiences
At the workshop, several mentors delivered keynote presentations and engaged in interactive discussions.
Lawyer Jane Jiang, in her talk titled “Legal Issues in Volunteer Projects”, provided insights on key topics such as liability, intellectual property, privacy protection, and risk management in volunteer service.
Dr. Gary Wang, a VIP member of the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs and youth mentor, shared insights on how effective budgeting and financial management can enhance project implementation.
In addition, Yichen Wang, project lead of the Table Tennis Tri-Battle Cup from the second round of funded projects, shared the challenges and achievements his team experienced during implementation.
Youth mentor Yinan Wu, speaking on the theme of “Youth Leadership”, combined insights from interactions with project teams to offer valuable recommendations on cultivating young project leaders.
Councillor Isa Lee asked, “What has been the most difficult challenge you have encountered in carrying out your project?”
Project Showcases & Creative Sharing
The three newly funded youth teams each presented their project visions and implementation plans, demonstrating the younger generation’s commitment to social service and innovation.
Self-Care Kit: Care in Your Hands – This project provides practical, accessible, and stigma-free mental health support for vulnerable youth experiencing low mood or early-stage anxiety through self-care kits, DIY workshops, and a mental health handbook. It also encourages participants to share multicultural experiences on social media platforms.
Foundations of Connection — A youth workshop on developing healthy intimate relationships. This program helps young people explore self-identity in a safe and supportive environment, learn constructive communication skills, and strengthen their ability to build healthy interpersonal relationships and navigate life’s challenges.
Climbing Program for Indigenous Youth — Using sports as a bridge, this program supports Indigenous youth on Georgina Island in engaging with and learning rock climbing. It aims to enhance physical fitness while building confidence and resilience, breaking down barriers to sports participation, and expanding opportunities for personal growth.
Project Reviews
Dr. Liangjian Peng, representing the evaluation committee, praised the three projects for embodying the core values of caring for society and serving the community, and offered constructive suggestions for project optimization.
Lively Atmosphere: Celebrating the Launch with Cake and Conversation
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the organizer and youth representatives from the three newly funded projects cut a celebratory cake symbolizing a new beginning. Snacks and fruit were provided, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. During informal discussions, the youth shared their visions and experiences, receiving guidance from mentors and guests while generating new ideas for volunteer initiatives.
The participating youth expressed that engaging in volunteer projects not only enhanced their professional skills and organizational abilities but also deepened their sense of community and social responsibility. They look forward to more peers joining in the future to grow together and create greater social impact.
