On September 30, 2025, the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs hosted the launch ceremony for the 14th round of funded projects and Youth Workshop under the Volunteer Project Support Center for Under-Served Youth at its Markham office. Deputy Mayor of Markham, Michael Chan, attended the event alongside project mentors, review representatives, three funded youth teams, and numerous youth volunteers to witness the official start of the new round of youth volunteer initiatives.
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 Deputy Mayor Michael Chan and Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs President Liu jointly presented grant cheques to three youth teams, encouraging them to stay committed to serving the community and pursuing their goals.
Congratulatory Messages and On-Site Support: Encouraging Youth to Grow Through Practice
In his speech, Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan highlighted Canadians’ strong commitment to volunteerism and the vital role volunteers play in community development. He emphasized that volunteers not only make significant contributions to society but also gain valuable skills while helping the government save billions in public spending. He especially encouraged young people to actively engage in volunteer work, contribute to their communities, and develop practical skills that support both personal growth and community progress. He also thanked the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs for its meaningful contributions over the years.
In his greeting letter, Deputy Mayor Michael Chan commended the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs, under President Liu’s leadership, for its dedication to empowering youth to broaden their horizons and prepare for life’s challenges. He noted that investing in their potential reflects true civic responsibility and contributes to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities.
He emphasized that youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and this special event is a valuable opportunity to celebrate their efforts to discover their strengths and make meaningful contributions to society.
President’s Remarks: Growing Impact of the Program
President Liu of the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs thanked Deputy Mayor Chan for his support and noted that the Youth Volunteer Project Support Center has successfully launched 37 projects across 14 rounds. She highlighted the program’s growing experience and increasing social 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.
Mentor & Guest Sharing: A Journey of Responsibility and Growth
In the following workshop, youth mentor Yinan Wu joined Awakening through the Lens team members Joey Liang and Amber Lin from the 7th funding round to share insights on how youth-led volunteer projects can serve as accelerators for leadership development. They discussed responsibility, execution, and personal growth, agreeing that leadership is not just about completing a project, but about planting the seeds for the future.
Professional accountant Christina Yu provided in-depth guidance on budgeting, financial recordkeeping, and project management, offering youth practical strategies to enhance execution and advance project goals with greater professionalism and efficiency in their volunteer work.
Guest’s Remarks
Dr. Youzhi Tang and Ms. Chuyun Li, Co-Chairs of the Canada New Energy and Energy Storage Alliance, attended the event to support the youth. Dr. Tang, a leading figure in green energy, expressed his encouragement, saying he is pleased to see environmental projects included in the funding scope. He urged young people to explore boldly and grow through their projects, becoming a new driving force for community development.
Project Showcase & Creative Sharing
The three newly funded projects reflect youth’s strong sense of social responsibility and creativity.
Side by Side Activities: Weekly interactive sessions create a safe, supportive environment for children with autism. Through LEGO building, crafts, storytelling, and team games, the program fosters creativity, communication, and social skills.
Equity Scholar Education: Youth-led and focused on supporting neurodiverse students, especially those with autism, this program offers personalized academic tutoring and inclusive group activities. It also fosters leadership and a sense of responsibility among youth volunteers.
Stronger Together: Focused on youth facing challenges such as social media addiction, substance abuse, and mental health issues, this project promotes healthy, positive lifestyles through expert talks, wellness journals, and online educational content.
Project Review
Dr. Jeff Peng, representing the review panel, remarked: “All three projects are highly meaningful—whether supporting children with autism, helping students learn, or addressing youth mental health, they reflect a deep concern for the community. Each project is both creative and practical. With enhanced professional support and follow-up, they have the potential to create lasting and far-reaching impact.”
Festive Atmosphere: Celebrating the Launch with Cake and Fellowship
Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the event concluded with a special mooncake-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the new projects. President Liu, along with mentors, guests, and representatives of the three youth teams, cut the large mooncake together—symbolizing success, unity, and the fulfillment of aspirations. In a relaxed setting over mooncakes and fruit, the youth exchanged ideas, received valuable feedback, and sparked new creative inspirations for their projects.
Some teams planning to apply for funding attended the workshop and shared that they gained valuable insights and clarified their direction. Through relaxed discussions, the youth shared their visions and ideas, receiving valuable feedback from mentors and guests. The interactions fostered mutual inspiration and collective progress among the projects.
Participants generally expressed that engaging in volunteer projects not only enhanced their professional skills and organizational abilities but also deepened their sense of community and passion for service. They all eagerly anticipate more youth joining, to create greater social value through shared growth.
