Chinatown Community Builders

Chinatown Community Builders (CCB) was a new program established by CYI that aimed to empower high school students to drive social change in New York City's Chinatown [and APIA communities] by developing community-oriented projects that addressed key issues and foster cross-generational, cross-racial solidarity.

CCB is currently undergoing a redesign and we hope to relaunch in 2026. Stay tuned for updates!

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Speed & Security

Flexibility & Scalability

Better Collaboration

Communicate.
Collaborate. Create.

In Summer of 2024, Chinatown Community Builders served nine passionate 10th and 11th grade students with bold visions and a commitment to service during an 8-week fellowship program to develop initiatives that would address the needs of Chinatown and Asian American communities.

After weeks of deepening their understanding of community needs through walking tours, guest speakers, and collaborative brainstorming sessions, fellows pitched their project ideas to the community for a chance to receive funding, ongoing mentorship, and the opportunity to turn their impactful community-focused solutions to life.

CCB's Curriculum for High School Fellows

Why Did We Create CCB?

CYI has seen that community-oriented projects are part of the movement for social change. As a youth-led organization, CYI has consistently been amazed by the initiatives started by youth. Given that NYC public schools don’t have the resources or expertise to assist students in developing their own project ideas, CYI launched this new program to help high school students incubate project ideas to benefit the Chinatown community and bring these ideas to life.

All-In-One
Toolkit

Integrated
File Sharing

Total Design
Freedom

Program Roles

Director

The Director designed and lead a two-month summer program for 9 high school students with bold visions for Chinatown. The director also managed two facilitators to help with program execution, ensuring that all operational, logistical, and financial program tasks are completed.

Facilitators

Facilitators, typically college-aged students, worked with the director to develop workshop activities, content, and ice breakers. They facilitated workshops and managed participant group dynamics.

High School Students

High school fellows came together and learned from entrepreneurs and community leaders before coming up with project ideas to help strengthen Chinatown and the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) community.

Check Out Our Photos

Director: Lin Mo

Facilitators: Vivien Ko Sweet, Karen Lau

Product

What High School Students Gained

This was a great opportunity for high school students interested in being part of the movement for social change to develop community-oriented projects that aim to better serve New York City’s Chinatown and to allow for cross-cultural collaboration in other communities. All of CYI’s existing programming was brought to life by the generational efforts of young leaders invested in their communities and have always been centered around the importance of service to generate cross-generational, cross-racial solidarity.