Funded by the Canada Service Corps (CSC) and hosted by the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs (CCFOE), the Volunteer Project Support Center for Under-Served Youth held its 2025 Project Achievement Celebration on the afternoon of December 7 at the Xinflix Auditorium in Markham. Federal MPs Jean Yip and Michael Ma, Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Richmond Hill Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan, York Region Councillor Alan Ho, along with representatives from community organizations, partners, and numerous youth participants attended the event. Together, they celebrated this year’s achievements: 44 projects funded, 7 successfully completed, and 23 showcased onsite.
2025 Year-End Celebration Highlight
Funded by Canada Service Corps (CSC), the Youth Volunteer Project Support Center supports youth—particularly those from under-served backgrounds—through workshops, project-based learning, mentorship, and peer engagement, helping them build skills, confidence, leadership, and a stronger sense of social responsibility.
Leveraging CCFOE’s Multi-Sector Strengths to Empower Youth and Communities
In her remarks, CCFOE President Liu expressed gratitude for the federal government’s trust and CSC’s funding, the backing of officials at all levels, the professionalism of the project team, and the enthusiasm and creativity of the youth participants. These collective efforts have enabled the rapid growth of the Youth Volunteer Project Support Center. In just nine months, the center has successfully launched 44 youth-led projects. With growing experience and the continual emergence of high-quality initiatives, its social impact is steadily expanding.
We extend our appreciation to the Canada Children’s Broadcasting Arts Group and Chinese Canadian Public Media for co-organizing this celebration. Their contributions have played an important and positive role in helping program promotion.
Leaders Gather to Celebrate the Occasion
Federal MPs Jean Yip and Michael Ma; Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan; Richmond Hill Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan; York Region Councillor and Chair of Markham’s Economic Development and Culture Committee Alan Ho; and Maria Cai, assistant to Ontario MPP Logan Kanapathi, attended the event and offered their congratulations. In their remarks, they commended the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs (CCFOE) for the impactful results achieved by the Volunteer Project Support Center for Under-Served Youth in fostering youth development and community innovation.
Federal MP Jean Yip, on behalf of the Government of Canada, congratulated the event and, together with CCFOE President Liu, presented honorary certificates—signed by the federal Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu—to 12 youth volunteers who successfully completed their projects.
Federal MP Michael Ma, having just flown back from Vancouver, attended the celebration in person to support and encourage the youth, and to congratulate the event on its successful conclusion.
Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, on behalf of the city government, congratulated the celebration and, together with CCFOE President Liu, presented government funding cheques to three newly approved projects.
Maria Cai, assistant to Ontario MPP Logan Kanapathi, attended the event on behalf of the MPP to offer congratulations.
Richmond Hill Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan attended the event to offer congratulations.
York Region Councillor and Chair of Markham’s Economic and Cultural Development Committee, Alan Ho, attended the event to offer congratulations.
Officials who were unable to attend in person but sent congratulatory letters included Federal MPs Vincent Ho, Salam Zahid, and Shaun Chen; Ontario MPP Aris Babikian; and Richmond Hill Mayor David West.
Showcasing 7 Completed Projects with Honorary Certificates from the Federal Minister
At the event’s highlight, videos presenting the outcomes of seven completed projects were screened, showcasing the youth’s creativity, execution, and social responsibility in community initiatives. The projects received unanimous praise from attendees.
At the celebration, 12 individuals received Certificates of Recognition, signed by the Federal Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu: Eric Yang, Bessie Liu, Hebe Ou, Han Liang, Weiran Lin, Grace Fan, Zi Ke Grace Wang, Jingzhou Zhang, Mengjia Zhao, Chenxi Ge, Owen Bangyue Guan, and Ethan Yao.
Federal MP Jean Yip, together with CCFOE President Liu, presented Certificates of Recognition—signed by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families—to 12 youth volunteers who successfully completed their projects.
MP Jean Yip, Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, MPP Logan Kanapathi’s assistant Maria Cai, CCFOE President Liu, youth mentors Yinan Wu and Dr. Gary Wang, and lawyer Jane Jiang joined the 12 honorees on stage for a group photo.
Roundtable Discussion
Project mentor Yinan Wu facilitated a roundtable conversation, during which the youth participants shared their experiences and personal growth from completing their projects.
44 Youth-Led Projects Supported, 16 Thematic Events Successfully Delivered
Since its launch in April 2025, the Canada-China Federation of Entrepreneurs has successfully hosted 16 thematic events—including interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, and peer-sharing sessions—designed to strengthen youth autonomy and leadership in community service.
To date, the Center has provided funding, resources, guidance, and support to 44 youth-led projects, seven of which have been successfully completed. These projects span a wide range of fields, including Indigenous outreach, technological innovation, sports promotion, arts and culture, and community service.
Ongoing Projects Showcase: Highlights in Sports, Technology, and Community Service
The celebration was co-hosted by four youth—Eric Yang, Karen Kuang, Elizabeth Brown, and Haley Hof—together with CCFOE VIP member and well-known Toronto host Yi Yang. Each youth host is a lead or member of one of the Center’s ongoing youth-led projects. With their energetic presence, the event opened on an inspiring note.
In addition to the seven completed projects, 13 teams with ongoing initiatives also presented their work, covering:
Sports
Social Impact (Arts)
Science & Technology
The youth showcased their project themes through artistic expression and live demonstrations, reflecting their awareness of social issues, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact.
Original Works and Classic Performances Highlight Youthful Energy and Cultural Diversity
Latin dance performer Julia Guzman, lead of an ongoing volunteer project Community Roots and a two-time Canada’s National Championships (ages 16–18) champion, delivered a professional performance with her partner Idan Daich, a six-time national champion, electrifying the venue and bringing the event to an exciting climax.
During the year-end celebration, original performances by the Center’s youth volunteer project teams, alongside classic acts from the Canadian Children’s Broadcast Arts Group, enriched the event with artistic vibrancy and multicultural appeal.
Three New Projects Approved, Funding Cheques Presented
At the celebration, three new youth volunteer projects were announced as approved for funding. Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan and CCFOE President Liu presented government funding cheques to the project teams. Guests shared in the excitement of the teams receiving support and offered their best wishes as the projects began serving the community.
1. SPARK – Supporting Potential through Arts, Recreation & Knowledge
Aims to help children with autism discover their talents and build confidence through arts, sports, and one-on-one mentoring, fostering a more inclusive community.
2. Financial Futures for All
Uses interactive workshops and simulation games to teach financial literacy—including budgeting, saving, investing, entrepreneurship, and stock market simulations—focusing on youth in low-income communities to strengthen their financial skills.
3. Voices of Toronto
Creates a literary and arts community, teaching storytelling, poetry, and visual arts, and publishes a collection of youth original works titled Voices of Toronto Teens.
Evaluation Committee’s Comments on the Three New Projects
Dr. Jeff Peng, on behalf of the Evaluation Committee, provided the following overview: The three funded youth projects, though differing in focus, are all well-conceived and well-structured, reflecting young people’s keen insight and genuine care for their communities. Whether supporting the development of vulnerable children, enhancing practical financial literacy among youth, or encouraging self-expression through the arts, each project demonstrates clear social value and feasibility. They address real needs while fostering leadership and responsibility among youth volunteers, making them exemplary initiatives in youth-led community service.
Complete Video: Volunteer Project Support Center For Under-Served Youth 2025 Year-End Celebration & Concert
Youth Volunteer Team, Political Leaders, Mentors, and Community Representatives Interviews
Youth Power: Lighting the Future of Our Communities
At the close of the event, the host, speaking as the member of funding projects, shared:
“The most valuable mission of youth leadership is to grow through volunteer service and create positive social change through action. This is a challenging yet honorable journey, with lasting impact.”
The host also called on more young people to join in advancing community development, strengthening cross-cultural exchange, and contributing to a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant Canada.
Congratulatory letters
