Through impactful panels, creative activities, and community collaboration, this annual event empowers youth to embrace mental health awareness, resilience, and the strength of community.
By Ashley Ye | January 24, 2025
Apex for Youth hosted its annual Winter Soulstice, a vibrant and meaningful community event that brought together youth, families, and community partners to foster mental health awareness and emotional connection. Open to students ranging from 3rd grade through post-secondary education, the event featured a youth speaker panel, engaging activity stations, and plenty of food and snacks to keep the energy flowing. Apex for Youth remains committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces for Asian American youth from low-income backgrounds.
The day began with an impactful youth speaker panel featuring representatives from our community partner organizations: Minkwon Center, CACF, and Garden of Hope. Together, Connie, Emma, and Bernice brought valuable insights and sparked meaningful conversations about mental health, identity, and community.
“When you’re struggling, it can feel like you’re the only one and leave you feeling isolated. My message is a reminder that you’re not alone in what you’re going through. There’s always someone out there who wants to support you and help you through it. You are never alone in your struggles.”
– Connie, from MinKwon Center
Following the panel, attendees participated in a gallery walk and interactive reflection activities that encouraged them to explore their thoughts and emotions. Sticky note prompts like “What is one strength or positive thing you see in yourself or your community?” and “Is there someone you can talk to about what’s going on in your life? Name the qualities that make them feel like someone you can open up to,” invited attendees to reflect on their personal strengths and support systems. These activities created a collective space for self-expression while reinforcing the importance of connection and vulnerability.
Hands-on activity stations, rooted in mindfulness, self-care and fun, added an engaging dimension to the event. Attendees could also enjoy free play activities like board games and mosaic tile jar decoration. Each partner organization played a vital role in shaping a dynamic experience that centered on emotional well-being and community connection through their own stations:
Girls for Gender Equity: Facilitated the Abolitionist Game of Life, encouraging critical thinking about equity and justice.
Sunnyside Community Services: Offered stations for creating mindful jars, envelopes, and words of affirmation bracelets, fostering mindfulness and positivity.
Garden of Hope: Introduced attendees to the art of making phone charms, blending creativity with meaningful conversation.
Womankind: Hosted an Emotional Management with Playdough activity, providing a tactile and therapeutic way to explore emotions.
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center: Brought calm and creativity through watercolor painting.
Winter Soulstice 2025 demonstrated the transformative power of community in addressing mental health challenges. By combining open conversations, creative expression, and a supportive environment, the event empowered youth to embrace vulnerability, build resilience, and foster stronger connections. Apex for Youth remains deeply committed to providing spaces where voices are heard, emotions are valued, and communities can come together to thrive.
A heartfelt thank you to our corporate partners at RSM for volunteering and lending a helping hand to make this event a success. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing community partners—Minkwon Center, CACF, Garden of Hope, Girls for Gender Equity, Sunnyside Community Services, Womankind, and CBWCHC. Your unwavering support and dedication continue to inspire and strengthen our community.
Together, we are building a community where the mental health needs of Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds are prioritized, where their unique identities are celebrated across all ages, and where no one feels isolated in navigating the challenges of mental well-being.
Reflecting on a year of transformation, mentorship, and community as we honor the milestones, growth, and lasting relationships that have made 2024 unforgettable.
Ho Jae Kim, an accomplished artist and founder of Civil Art, uses his creative talents to celebrate the beauty and complexity of life while advocating for meaningful causes. Through his recent Night Market exhibition, Ho Jae brought more than 60 creative participants together and raised funds to support Apex for Youth.
