2,700
Youth served
1,000
volunteers engaged
Our most impactful Year Yet
140
youth supported with Mental Health Services
100
Families supported through community events
OUR COMMITMENT
Letter from the Executive Director
FY2025 was a particularly special year — one that required extraordinary teamwork, love, resilience, and courage by our entire team at Apex for Youth. Despite an uncertain economic and political landscape, as well as my own personal health challenges, we served more youth and families in NYC than ever before. We delivered the strongest program outcomes in our history, and we launched a strategic planning process to lay the roadmap for sustainable growth and maximum impact for the next five years.
For me, this year proved to be one of the most challenging and rewarding in my 14 years at Apex. During the fall of 2024, I was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma, a type of cancer. As my medical treatment plan quickly came together, so did the plan among our team at Apex: Our staff, Board, and Associate Board quickly rallied to offer me love and support and jump in where they could.
It was a gift to be able to start my treatment feeling confident that my team would seamlessly continue our important work to serve low-income and immigrant Asian American youth. It was freeing to be reminded to take as much time as I needed. I have so much gratitude to my executive assistant, Jenn, and my senior leadership team — Yaya, Wendy, Kim, and Pavan — who stepped in to support my work with love and care so I could step out as needed.
Fortunately, I felt well enough to continue working. I was soon in remission and continue to be healthy today. I drew much of my strength in my healing from both our Apex community and the deep sense of purpose that our mission gives me.
That purpose I’ve always felt at Apex only deepened. During my treatment, I reflected on how much I had — an amazing support system, access to critical resources, the ability to navigate a complicated situation — in contrast to what so many lack. I was reminded of the absolute necessity of our work, addressing systemic gaps that exist for our youth and families through the essential care and web of support we provide at Apex.
More than ever, I recognize how truly life-changing our community can be for our youth, our families, and each other when we need it most. Thank you for being part of it. I am truly grateful to carry our mission forward together, on the precipice of so much to come.
Jiyoon Chung,
Executive Director
— Jiyoon Chung,
To learn more about Jiyoon’s journey, watch her speech from last year’s Gala 
here >
THE NEED FOR APEX FOR YOUTH?
OUR MISSION
Apex for Youth empowers Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential today and a world of possibility tomorrow.
1 IN 2
Asian American youth live in or near poverty in NYC.
3 out of 4
Asian American youth say that they felt less safe than before the pandemic.
1 IN 4
Asian American youth live in homes where no one over 14 speaks English proficiently or at all.
6%
18%
Less than 6%
of social service funding goes to the AAPI community in New York City.
Despite Asian Americans making up 18% of the population.
OUR IMPACT
In New York City, Asian American youth face compounded barriers shaped by poverty, language access, racial invisibility, and underinvestment. Many grow up shouldering adult responsibilities early, while lacking safe spaces, trusted mentors, and culturally-responsive support systems.
Apex was built in response to these realities. Our programs exist because without intervention, too many Asian American youth are left to navigate these challenges alone.
When youth are consistently seen, supported, and invested in through culturally-responsive care, the outcomes change — measurably and meaningfully.
Apex is creating a world without limits, for our youth and our community.
of youth were exposed to new opportunities and experiences at Apex.
of youth built a relationship with an adult they can turn to for support and guidance.
of graduating high school seniors are more confident speaking up for themselves as a result of Apex.
of high school students graduated on time, compared to 89% of Asian students in NYC.
of graduating high school seniors enrolled in college , compared to 63% of Asian youth nationally.
of alumni are community-minded, donating time or resources to Apex or other organizations.
OUR REACH
Since our launch in Manhattan in 1992, Apex has continued to meet the critical and evolving needs of our community by expanding in-person programming to Brooklyn (2019) and Queens (2023), as well as nationwide through our virtual mentoring program (2020).
In FY25, we continued to both strengthen and expand our programming in NYC and beyond:
Manhattan
Served youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Financial District, as well as hosted more community events than ever for youth and families at our Lower East Side community space.
Queens
Served youth in 3rd and 4th grade in Flushing through Elementary and athletics programs, offering year-round programming for the first time this year.
Brooklyn
Served youth from 3rd through 8th grade in Sunset Park, expanding programming this year to include athletics and mentoring programs for 8th graders.
National
Beyond NYC, served the most pairs ever with our National Virtual Mentoring Program for youth from 9th through 12th grade across 11 states.
2,700
youth served
1,000
volunteers engaged
2,400
hours of total programming and services delivered
100
families supported through community events
LOOKING AHEAD
Apex is at a pivotal moment. In response to growing demand for our programs and the changing realities facing low-income Asian American youth, we launched a strategic planning process to guide the organization over the next five to ten years. Our focus is clear: To grow our impact where it is most needed, while preserving the depth, care, and community trust that have always been at the heart of our work.
OUR APPROACH
Apex’s culturally-responsive programs combine impactful mentorship with access to critical resources, creating long-term, meaningful change for our youth. We define long-term success for our youth through the ABC’s of agency, belonging, and confidence:
Agency
Apex shows youth that there is no one path to success, empowering them to envision a limitless future with the resources and connections to get there.
Belonging
The Apex community of caring adults uplifts shared identities to build transformative relationships with youth that combat isolation and disconnection.
Confidence
Apex youth move from surviving to thriving through our programming that helps them embrace their strengths and identities.
THE APEX JOURNEY
Connecting to networks and resources to meet their goals
Developing a sense of agency and focus on their future
Building positive identity and healthy relationships
Exploring interests and developing a sense of belonging
LOOKING AHEAD
Apex’s next chapter builds on what has always been at our core — mentorship. By strengthening mentorship as the backbone of our programming and codifying the Apex model, we will deepen our continuum of care from elementary school through young adulthood and serve more low-income Asian American youth in need.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Exploring interests and developing a sense of belonging
Beginning our youth’s journey, Apex elementary programs focus on laying a strong foundation from kindergarten through 5th grade by encouraging exposure to new experiences and connections with friends and mentors. Trusted adults and peers form a supportive community, stepping in when caregivers may have limited time available due to long work hours.
of youth had a positive relationship with their volunteer(s).
of families said their child in the Elementary Explorers program became better at sharing ideas and interests.
of youth learned more about their community and how to give back.
“To have someone not their age, who is also not their family member, be able to talk to them is important, because sometimes they just want to share things that they don’t think their mom or dad or aunt or uncle or grandparents or cousins understand. We can give them a safe space, a space in which they can share those thoughts. Even though it might not be a lot to us in terms of hearing it, it can mean a lot to them for just saying it and to be able to express what they feel.”
—Sean
Apex volunteer
“I grew up in this community. I thrived, and I was able to take that outside of my community and be who I am because of the confidence that I had. I’m seeing the same thing with my kids, because Apex is providing a space for them to not only thrive but to learn about our community and other communities as well. Apex is a place where you feel like you belong. This is its own community. This is really the heart to me. And to pass that along to my children, it means so much.”
—Wandy
Apex parent
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Building positive identity and healthy relationships
Middle school is a critical period for the shaping of identity as youth gain confidence, form meaningful connections, and grow into their emerging selves with the support of trusted mentors and peers. Workshops that address topics of identity, emotions, and stereotypes give youth space to practice a growth mindset and build community with others as they identify their own strengths.
of youth have come to value challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
of youth would like to join an Apex program again.
of youth feel good about themselves this year because of Apex.
“Since I’m still young, I don’t really like opening up to people, but at Apex with Ben, I could open up myself to new people. It’s a different experience, and now I’m more comfortable with it.”
— Austin Y.
8th-grade mentee
“With [other] mentoring programs, you often feel like you are on different teams, that you’re trying to bring someone along as opposed to collaborating. Apex has been an entirely different experience, and one of the most rewarding parts of my weekends [has been] getting to spend time with Austin and the other kids in the basketball program in Chinatown. I had an older brother, and he was very instrumental in my growth as a person during those formative years of middle school, so it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Hear more about Ben’s volunteer experience ︎ here >
— Ben
Austin’s Mentor
HIGH SCHOOL
Developing a sense of agency and focus on their future
Apex’s high school programs provide youth with the resources and knowledge to make their own decisions about the future, showing them that “success” can be defined in many ways. Through hands-on experiences, dedicated mentoring, and culturally-responsive guidance, youth are empowered to make informed choices and gain confidence in defining their own path. Programs center on amplifying youth voices and empowering them to speak up, take action on issues they care about, and shape their own futures.
of high school students graduated on time, compared to 89% of Asian students in NYC.
of youth enrolled in college after high school graduation, compared to 63% of Asian youth nationally.
of guardians said their child became more comfortable talking to adults.
“Coming from a different country and having to pick up a new language and watching [Jia He] tackle all these challenges has been really inspiring for me, and I think there’s a lot [of learnings] about tackling adversity that you can apply to your daily life. From seventh and eighth grade, I didn’t hear [him] speak one full sentence of English. And then [he] comes back from the summer into ninth grade, and all of a sudden [he’s] speaking in full sentences and pretty fluently. I can always learn from something like that.
It’s really empowering and rewarding to help someone — just open up the world, explore new opportunities, introduce them to new things. I get a lot out of watching other people grow and develop. Anything that’s worth doing is going to require commitment, and now we’re in this together. Building trust is a function of repetition, and you’ve got to spend some time to build that relationship and that foundation.”
— Mike
Jia He’s mentor
YOUNG ADULTHOOD
Connecting to networks and resources to meet their goals
As youth enter adulthood, Apex helps them to realize that they don’t have to figure out their future alone. Through the support of mentors, real-world opportunities, and a network of professionals that continues through this period of transition, Apex helps youth to understand the critical role they play within the community.
of youth received grants or scholarships — with no repayment required — for their first year of college, compared to 77% nationally.
of alumni are community-minded, donating time or resources to Apex or other organizations.
of alumni felt more satisfied by their career pathway due to their time in Apex.
“From interviewing artists to working as a receptionist at public programming, I’ve learned to connect with others’ stories while sharing my own.”
Hear other ︎ Apex Summer Internship participants >
— Hebe L.
J.T. Tai Apex Summer Internship Program participant
“My Apex journey began in elementary school when I first joined by playing in the summer basketball league. It was a pivotal moment in my basketball journey, giving me one of my first real opportunities to play in a competitive league. Most importantly, starting this sport alongside others from my community helped me feel comfortable, supported, and excited to grow my passion for the game. Through that experience, I built lifelong friendships, learned the value of teamwork, and discovered my competitive drive — all while being part of a community and culture that uplifted me. As a former collegiate athlete, I know the importance of giving back to the community that gave so much to me. Keep fighting for your dreams, because dreams are worth chasing.”
— Elissa L.
Apex alumni program participant
THE NEED FOR:
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
As Asian American youth navigate an increasingly uncertain future, Apex Mental Health Services support their mental and emotional well-being. Recognizing the complex challenges that our community faces — including intergenerational trauma, poverty, complicated family dynamics, and isolation — Apex provides compassionate, culturally-responsive care. Apex helps young people to heal and strengthen family connections.
Asian American youth are the least likely ethnic group in the U.S. to receive mental health services.
Depression among Asian American adolescents has surged since the onset of the pandemic, with 66% reporting worsening symptoms.
Asian American young adults are the only racial group with suicide as their leading cause of death.
Through the work of licensed mental health providers, Apex mental health services continue to address the unique needs of the community through individual therapy, peer support groups, crisis management, Family Nights, and community events.
of Apex youth reported an increase in their ability to regulate their emotions.
were supported through Apex mental health services.
hours of therapy services were provided to Apex youth.
“For our monthly Family Night series, we promote emotional awareness, build communication skills, and expose families to community resources. But my biggest goal is actually to create a sense of joy. Our families face so many daily struggles that they often forget that they can connect with moments of joy. We use these moments to connect them with their inner self and with their children, and to take away that joy is contagious and can be used in their parent-child relationship.
We create joint activities where parents and their children have shared language for communication. Those are the moments that create stories to share as a family and are the foundation for intergenerational and collective healing.”
– Ivy Li
Associate Director of Mental Health at Apex
HIGHLIGHTS
This year, we touched more lives within and beyond NYC than ever before, and the impact of our programs has never been stronger.
Record volunteer growth
Volunteers are the backbone of Apex’s work. Over the past year, our community grew to 1,000 dedicated volunteers through intentional relationship-building. From community events to Volunteer Appreciation Night, we created meaningful spaces for volunteers to connect with youth, celebrate their impact, and deepen their engagement with Apex’s mission. This growing network strengthened our programs, expanded our reach, and reinforced the power of community in supporting youth and families.
Expanded support for Apex families
Apex expanded its family services by launching monthly Family Night workshops for youth in Queens, helping immigrant parents and children navigate bicultural challenges together. Tailored parent and youth sessions culminate in shared discussions, fostering understanding and connection while laying the groundwork for continued growth within Apex.
Learn more about the impact behind Family Night ︎ here >
Partnering for community impact
Apex strengthened collaboration with community partners by engaging more than 1,300 youth throughout the year with events such as Field Day, Winter Soulstice, Book Fair, and the For the Culture AAPI Heritage Month celebration. These partnerships provided meaningful entry points for engagement — 40% of participating youth experienced Apex for the first time through these events — while also deepening community ties.
33rd Inspiration Awards Gala
On April 10, 2025, Apex’s 33rd Inspiration Awards Gala at Cipriani South Street celebrated with the theme of GENERATION FEARLESS, featuring honorees ︎ Suni Lee, Olympic gold medalist, and ︎ Joan Shigekawa, former Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. ︎ Ashley Ye, former mentee and now Apex Digital Coordinator, also shared her journey of empowerment with the organization. The event raised an impressive $3.1 million, including a record-breaking $1.4 million paddle raise, to help Apex continue to foster intergenerational change.
Aces for Apex
The 14th Annual Aces for Apex event took place on July 26, 2025 at The Skylight at the Refinery, located in the historic Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg. The event welcomed more than 580 attendees for an evening of casino games, live entertainment, and community engagement. With donations from more than 20 raffle-prize sponsors and another 20 food and beverage partners, the event raised more than $380,000 to help sustain Apex’s important work.
Watch the highlights from Aces for Apex ︎ here >
Taste of Asia
On October 9, 2025, Taste of Asia celebrated the power of community and support for Asian American youth, bringing New York City’s Asian American community together with more than 40 exceptional restaurants for an inspiring evening of culture, cuisine, and generosity. Led by Simon Kim and co-chairs Wen Zhou, Phillip Lim, and Michael Chung, the event raised nearly $1.4 million to support Apex programs and the Madison Square Park Conservancy.
Apex at the NYC Marathon
The NYC Marathon in November brought together runners from Apex’s Associate Board, volunteers, and staff while raising more than $80,000 to support Apex programs. Their dedication showcased the power of community and commitment, turning every mile into meaningful impact.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
August 2024 to July 2025
Over a five-year period (FY2020 to FY2024), we increased our net assets nearly fourfold, creating a strong financial reserve. In the past year, we reinvested a portion of that reserve in strategic planning and infrastructure. These investments strengthened our organization today and positioned us for sustained growth in reach and impact for the coming years.
Total New Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Read our full financial report here >
LOOKING AHEAD
Now that we have built key infrastructure, we are looking forward to implementing our 5-year strategic plan, growing both revenue and net assets over the next five to ten years and efficiently and effectively expanding our programs.
IN GRATITUDE
$250,000+
Anonymous
Assured Guaranty
Chang Family Foundation
Chia Family Foundation
J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation
Stephanie Ng & Richard Li
$100,000+
Hearst Foundation
Joe & Lily Wong
Karen & Robert Lee
Liu Kou-Chun Educational Foundation
Merkley+Partners
Old Machine (in-kind)
RSM US Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
Alger Investment Management
Blackstone Charitable Foundation
Din Tai Fung
Ford Foundation
Hajin Lee & Michael Chung
Jennifer Prosek, Prosek Partners
Kent Hospitality Group (in-kind)
Matthew & Janet Thompson
Michael Li
The Kevin D. Eng and Un Hae Song Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
Alex Alger & Dan Chung
Allison Chou & Michael Chan
Anonymous
Ben Xiao & Tracy Kwan
Blue Owl Capital
CAIPA
Charlene Wang
Dalio Philanthropies
Derek & Tiffany Liu
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Jay and Sonja Kim Family Foundation
Kennedys
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Latham & Watkins
Lisa Qi
Morgan Stanley
Partners Group
Peter & Shirley Ma
Prudential Foundation
Russ Chong
TD Securities
The Barbie Dream Gap Fund, a project of Mattel
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
The Plum Spring Foundation
The Schulke Inn Family
TPG
Wu Family Charitable Foundation
WuFam Charitable Fund
$15,000-$24,999
AMC Networks
BD Wong (in-kind)
Bloomingdale’s
Capital Group
Edward & Elaine Cong
Freedom Together Foundation
Goodwin Procter
JPMorgan Chase
Julia Chiang & KAWS
Kathleen Hou & Daniel Martin
Marshall Wace
Melissa & Alec Gunn
Mercedes-Benz (direct support and in-kind)
MillerKnoll Foundation
MUFG
Olympus Partners
Paypal Giving Fund
PwC
Stephen Chang
Virtu Financial
Warburg Pincus LLC
Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
$10,000-$14,999
Aaron Ong
Affirm Cares
Ally Bridge Group
Anonymous (2)
Antares Capital LP
Boston Consulting Group
Brian & Jennifer Rebello
Brian Cho
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Dana Johnson
Davis Polk
Edward Cheng and Mary Chen Family Foundation
DK Construction One Corp
Edward Cheng and Mary Chen Family Foundation
Fanatics Foundation
GLG
Global Atlantic Financial
Guidepoint
Janelle Teng & Jeff Eng
Jerry Lee
Jonathan Chan
Joseph Handleman I Believe in You Trust
Karen & Samuel Choi
KPMG
Lauren & Andrew Kim Will & Emery
Lauren & Andrew Kim
Madison Square Garden Sports
McDermott Will & Emery
NIKE, Inc.
Oakley
OC&C Strategy Consultants
Olivia Song
Sheila & Ron Marcelo
Sung Lee, SungBeats (in-kind)
The Lede Company
The Margaret & Daniel Loeb Foundation
Thomas & Leanne Chin
West Monroe
$5,000-$9,999
Yao King
Alan Chuang
Alex Popov & Michelle Choo
Angela & Daniel Sullivan
Anonymous (3)
Ardea Partners
Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM)
Authmade
Aya Healthcare
Bryan Czyzewski & Connie Hau Czyzewski
Charles Zhu
Charmaine de Mello & Michael Clark
Chegg.org Impact Fund, a fund of Tides Foundation
Crystal Lin
Dakota Smith
Dr. Karen Su & Dr. Edwin Su
Eddie Li & Emily Zheng
Eneuri Acosta
Gabriel Xia & Crystal Tse
Gary Lin & MJ Davis Lin
Gavaskar Balasingam
Ida Liu
Janice Johnston
Jeehae Kim
Jennifer Sheng
Leo Wong
Lisa Chu & Coltrane Curtis
Manu Gayatrinath
Mari Jinojosa & Sean Hecker
Mark & Rebecca Weiser
Matthew Naclerio
Michael Jiang
Minya Oh & John McPheters
Miranda Ma
Nate Chang & Jennifer Tye
Nathan Ho
National Football League
Oaktree Capital Management
Peter Tong
Prime Finance Partners
Roger Huang
Sharon Lee
Shay Gao
The Estée Lauder Companies
The Prevot Family Foundation, Inc
The Yoon Family
Third State Books (in-kind)
Tzo Ai Ang & Ken Lee
Wafra
OUR TEAM
Everything we achieve in our community begins with the strength and passion of our team. Through shared experience and deep knowledge, our staff of experts, educators, youth workers, and trained mental health professionals offer an unrivaled level of care. This expertise results in one-of-a-kind programming and relationship-building that helps to create a world of possibility for our youth.
STAFF
Jiyoon Chung, Executive Director
Wendy Hu-Au, Director of Development
Pavan Makhija, Director of Finance and Operations
Kim Thai, Director of Marketing
Yaya Yuan, Director of Programs
Melissa Lee Alvey
Paul Arroy
Mikaela Chang
Shirley Chen
Emily Chow
Beau Dorien
Thomas Dupaquier
Assumpta Galang
Jason Howald
Jing-Jing Hu
Sabrina Hua
Sandy Ing
Paul Jochico
Marina Karnofsky
Atiya Khan
Leakena Khy
Erica Ji-Hyun Kim
Stephen Lai
Danny Le
Khrystalie Le
Heather Lee
Allen Leung
Jenn Li
Ivy Li
Stephanie Loui
Haywood Matthews
Huong Nguyen
Phung Ninh
Grace Noh
Sarah Park
Nicole Picinich
Donna Poon
Kavita Shah
Ashwath Srivatsan
Isabelle St. Clair
Annie Tan
Jia-Ming Tuan
Ashley Ye
Ellie Yeo
Ian Yu
Vicki Zheng
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Preeti Sriratana, Chair
Eric T. Lee, Vice Chair
Kathy Wong, Secretary
Blaise Chow, Treasurer
Allister Chan
Raymond Chan
Christopher Chao
Jeff Chen
David Jar
Aya Kanai
Roy Kim
Melody Lee
Gilbert Liu
Patrick Lo
Yukari Matsuzawa Pass
Maxine Ng Dalio
Karen Wong
Patrick Yee
Wen Zhou
ASSOCIATE BOARD
Kristen Hom, Chair
Athenie Shi, Vice Chair
Elizabeth Yan, Treasurer
Katrina Bartocillo
Lucy Cao
Jenny Chen
Christina Cheng
Bhargava Chitti
Michelle Cho
Christine Chu
Heather Deng
Sophia Hui
Do Hee Jeong
King Leung
Jacqueline Liang
Hannah Liou
Wesley Ru
Janelle Teng
Minh-Y Tran
Anna Yang
CORNERSTONE COUNCIL
Frank Li
Anthony Liu
John Lu
Chia Pan
Stephanie Sit
Emily Tung
Jonathan Yip
Ben Zhou
LOOKING AHEAD
Letter from the Director of Programs
As we close this year’s Annual Report, as Director of Programs I’ve been reflecting on how far we’ve come. Five years ago, we served 900 youth; this year, 2,700. Yet what drives me is not only growing to serve more students, but more importantly, the constancy of our care. Even as our programs, partnerships, and visibility have expanded, the heart of Apex remains the same: deep, transformative relationships with young people, whether that transformation unfolds over many years or in a single meaningful moment.
This year, the power of community has come into sharper focus through our expanded partnerships and events. Our annual Field Day event in Sunset Park brought partners and resources to a particularly under served neighborhood in Brooklyn. Winter Soulstice created space to address the critical topic of mental health, centering youth voices at a time of great uncertainty. Our For the Culture AAPI Heritage Month celebration brought us together to stand against hatred while honoring the beauty of our community. These events allowed us to meet youth where they are, celebrate our culture, and spark relationships that often become enduring cornerstones of our work. Apex’s ripple effect is profound and far-reaching.
And there is still so much work to be done. This growing need makes us even more determined as we enter the year, ready to reach more youth than ever before. We are focused on both the opportunity and the responsibility to expand our impact. With your generous support, we cannot wait to continue building limitless futures — for our youth, with our youth.
Thank you for being part of this transformative community.
— Yaya Yuan
Director of Programs
Moving Forward Together
Photos throughout this report are by Clara Hung, Erika Kapin, Des LaFave, Sheng Lin, Angela Pham, Jayne Wexler and Brittany Winderman. Annual report design by Claire Smalley of small c studio and written by Alli Stanca. All survey results in this report draw on mixed-methods data, combining quantitative survey items (scaled questions) with qualitative feedback (open-ended comments) to elevate the voices of Apex youth, volunteers, and families. Numbers have been rounded for clarity.
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