4,700
Lives impacted
2,900+
Youth
1,000+
Volunteers
800
Caregivers
I am allowed to be loud. I am allowed to be who I am. I am going to break those stereotypes. I am not any less. Apex taught me that.”
— Miki, Apex alum
Engaged more volunteers and youth than ever beforeLaunched an official caregivers and families program
Codified the Apex Program Model
Launched on-the-ground mental health support in Queens
Expanded Brooklyn middle school mentoring to all grades
Broke fundraising records at the 34th Inspiration Awards Gala
Learn why you should support Apex here
As Executive Director of Apex, I’ve had the great privilege of being part of this organization’s growth and evolution over 15 years.
We’ve strengthened our programs, built trusted relationships, and continued to show up for our youth and our community. In FY26, the first year of our five-year strategic plan, that work came together with greater clarity and purpose. By codifying the Apex mentoring curriculum, we clarified what works, built a model for scaling our impact, and reached more lives than ever before. Now we’re ready to take the next step together.
We are ready because we have done the work to understand what makes Apex, Apex. Over the past year, we’ve gone deep — researching the true needs of our community, reflecting on decades of the impact of the organization, and codifying and strengthening our mentoring-focused curriculum as a model for replication by like-minded organizations. We’ve taken what we know in our hearts through years of practice and built it into something we can share and carry forward together to grow impact — sustainably.
Our work feels especially urgent today. Young people are growing up surrounded by noise and negativity about what it means to be Asian, to be a person of color, to be American.
We cannot control the world they will inherit or remove every hardship from their path, but we can help them feel they belong, walk that path with confidence, and approach their future with a sense of agency. We can surround them with a web of support — people, opportunities, and resources to help navigate challenges with strength and hope. That is the work of Apex.
FY26 was a year of foundation and alignment. FY27, our 35th year in operation, will be about focus: sharpening what we do best and beginning to share it more broadly. Thirty-four years of learning, building relationships, and developing a signature mentoring approach that has, and will continue to, help so many more youth.
We are prepared for collaboration at a new scale, with our board, partners, community, and, eventually, far beyond just Apex. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped make this possible. We are ready to bring more people into the work and see how far we can go together.
Jiyoon Chung
Executive Director
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.
Break through limitations and create their own definition of success.
Join a supportive community of adults and peers that celebrates their identity.
Identify their strengths and move from surviving to thriving.
1 in 2 Asian American youth in NYC live in or near poverty.
ACS Census 2025
Less than 6% of the city’s funding goes to the AAPI community, despite Asian Americans making up 18% of the city’s population.
CACF Budget Equity report
1 in 4 youth grow up in a home where no one over 14 speaks English proficiently or at all.
ACS Census 2025
1 in 2 Asian American high school students have experienced racism or been treated unfairly because of their ethnicity, more than any other group.
66% of Asian American adults recalled a time growing up when they wanted a mentor but did not have one.
Mentoring.org Who Mentored You? report
“An organization starts because there’s a need and you set out to meet it. Over time, the need grows. The way you meet it changes.
Our work now is to make sure what we’re building today creates a strong foundation for the future.
Programs sometimes succeed because you have the right people in the room. At Apex, we’re making sure success doesn’t depend on any one person. We want the experience of an Apex youth to be just as successful 5 years, 10 years, and decades from now.”
Kavita ShahApex Associate Director of Research & Evaluation
Impactful
mentoring
Access to life-changing resources
The Apex web of support helps youth thrive by nurturing a sense of agency, belonging, and confidence.
Relationships with caring adults to help navigate life’s challenges
Access to much-needed support that would otherwise be unavailable
Internal(e.g., social-emotional learning)
External(e.g., financial support)
Experiences that show youth what is possible for them
As Apex enters its 35th year, we’re building on a strong foundation. Over the past year, we codified our curriculum, creating a clear path to grow our impact with purpose and intention.
Our goal was to understand:
What we accomplished
Deeply researched the compounding pressures our youth face
Reviewed years of our work to understand what was working best and why
Defined the Apex mentoring model and approach based on this analysis
Developed overarching curriculum map and handbooks to standardize processes and tailor to development needs
“Codifying the model has been incredibly meaningful because it has given us the chance to step back and truly see the heart of what we do and why it matters. It has lifted up what makes Apex so special and how we create brighter futures for our youth.
The model captures the depth, compassion, and care behind the unique support we build around each young person, meeting them where they are and helping them move toward where they want to be. I feel so proud of what we have built and excited to bring it out into the world — to share what we’ve learned, reach more people, and ultimately help even more young people thrive.
With a clearer understanding of what our youth need and what drives their success, our next step is to embed what we’ve learned into our programs and build the systems needed to deliver that support consistently as we grow. This is how we’ll bring the Apex model to more young people and create lasting impact for years to come.”
Yaya YuanApex Director of Programs
The Apex journey
Apex programs meet youth where they are, building on shared identities and experiences to help them navigate the unique challenges of growing up Asian American, immigrant, and low-income.
Create safe spaces where youth and their families feel that they matter and know that they belong.
Step into our Elementary Explorers classrooms here
96%felt that they belong at Apex
Nurture confidence during a critical stage of identity exploration, helping youth feel seen and discover who they are becoming through hands-on experiences.
From Quiet Kid on the Court to Opening Up, listen to Ben & Austin's Mentorship Story here
95%said Apex helped them feel like they can be themselves
Surround youth with caring adults and the resources they need to thrive, wherever their journey takes them.
Learn how Ryan's mentor, Alan, helped him explore new possibilities and supported him on his path here
98%of graduating seniors attended a four-year college
Harness the Apex web of support, including career-specific mentoring and resources, to help youth turn their goals into reality
Read how Apex helped Kyle through the college application and career path here
86%of alumni felt satisfied with their college or career path
I cherish feeling a sense of belonging within a group of people outside of [my kids’] normal school environment. We found a place like that here in Apex, and they’re thriving in it. It’s been a tremendous resource for them and for me as a parent as well.”
Apex is full circle. I come around and see the parents here that I used to grow up with. Now my kid is growing up with this community. I wish I had this organization around when I was growing up.”
I know that [Apex is] behind me, and they’re going to tell me that there are choices in life. They got me through every stage of my development. They’re going to cheer me on.”
Apex helps me have fun and meet new people and learn about all around the world. When I go to the Apex classroom, I feel happy and supported. I can be myself.”
This journey is about giving back and saving lives. There’s a lot of kids that don’t have this opportunity. It’s a beautiful thing to see how much they grow as people and as basketball players.”
Apex helped me realize I didn’t have to wait for opportunities but [can] actively go after them myself. School taught me how to succeed academically, but Apex taught me how to advocate for myself and navigate the world with confidence.”
Apex’s culturally responsive Mental Health Services are rooted in compassion, trust, and joy. We meet youth where they are, creating supportive spaces through individual and group therapy where they can strengthen their emotional well-being alongside peers and family.
135
Youth served in individual and group therapy
900+
Hours of therapy delivered
3
Boroughs served
Asian American youth are the least likely of any racial or ethnic group to receive mental health support.
CDC Mental Health Brief 2023
Suicide is the leading cause of death among Asian American young adults.
Apex’s mental health programs help young people understand and process their emotions while building practical skills for everyday life.
At the heart of our approach is a recognition that mental health growth isn’t linear — and that progress doesn’t always mean feeling better. Sometimes progress means recognizing a difficult emotion, finding the words to name it, or trusting someone enough to share something difficult.
Over time, youth begin to see themselves not only through the challenges they face, but through their strengths, relationships, and possibilities. They develop a stronger sense of self and the resilience to navigate whatever comes next.
“We often treat healing like it's only about what went wrong, and focus on pain, stress and trauma. But mental health is also about rebuilding things people forget to name: joy, safety, and connection.
At Apex, our focus is building the capacity to handle emotions and still find joy. And sometimes that begins with play. It's not just therapeutic. It's radical. It reclaims what pain tries to take away.”
Ivy LiApex Associate Director of Mental Health
Agency
Self-regulation
Positive self-identityTo evaluate the efficacy of our Mental Health Services, we utilize an annual pre- and post-service survey, focusing on helping youth build the awareness, coping strategies, and resilience needed to manage. The above reflect responses of both “stable” and “improved”.
My child was struggling with behavioral issues, and Apex was able to come up with a project for him to work on as part of the mental health sessions, not just talking one on one but getting to work on it together.
It’s getting [kids] accustomed to the idea from a very young age that it’s okay to talk about things you’re feeling, things you’re maybe not comfortable addressing within the family, but you’re able to bring it up with someone that you trust.
The mental health support has been phenomenal.”
— Jessica, Apex parent
Events at Apex bring the community together to foster meaningful connections and demonstrate the strength and impact of a web of support that helps youth and families thrive.
Brought Sunset Park together for a day of activities, resource sharing, and connection.
600Backpacks with school supplies
11Community partnersRead why free school supplies matter for our families here
Connected young people with a wide range of colleges, community-based organizations, and scholarship opportunities.
30College, scholarship, and community partners
79Student attendeesRead more about our first college fair here
Put books directly into the hands of local families while celebrating community and AAPI heritage.
6,500+Free books
600+ParticipantsCheck out our read-aloud here
Hosted by the Apex for Youth Associate Board, the Summer Soirée brought together young professionals, philanthropists, artists, and community leaders to the historic National Arts Club to honor painter Anoushka Mirchandani and embrace culture, raising $145,000 for Apex youth and programs.
Missed our Summer Soirée? Watch the highlights here
Taste of Asia returned to Madison Square Park for its fourth year, bringing together more than 40 of New York City’s leading restaurants for a vibrant celebration of Asian American culture, community, and cuisine. The event raised a record-breaking $1.7 million for Apex for Youth and Madison Square Park Conservancy.
Watch the Taste of Asia highlights here
Rooted in the theme of Ignite, Apex for Youth’s Gala celebrated the power of mentorship to spark courage, unlock potential, and inspire collective impact.
The evening brought our community together in celebration of what’s possible for the next generation, culminating in a record-breaking $3.7 million raised.
I am fully Asian, and I am also fully American. And those two truths exist at the same time.”
Watch Lana's full speech here
I decided I needed to take a chance on others, just like others had taken on me.”
Watch Michael's full speech here
Asian youth at home and abroad are still struggling or still fighting to feel seen, to feel heard, and to feel fully represented.”
Only by uniting people from different backgrounds can we make the Asian community stronger.”
From August 2025 to July 2026
In FY26, Apex raised approximately $2.6 million in new and increased giving, reflecting the generosity of nearly 1,500 first-time donors, more than 170 donors who increased their support, and nearly $500,000 in new multi-year pledges. This year also marked the beginning of our strategic plan implementation, with intentional investments in the infrastructure needed to support organizational growth and long-term sustainability. By strategically employing our reserves to strengthen our foundation, we are positioning the organization to rebuild reserves and achieve greater financial stability over the long term.
Total Revenue$7.41M
Total Expenses$7.75M
Net Assets$4.34M
Full Financial Report available February 2027
We are so incredibly grateful to all of our generous supporters for making our work possible. This list reflects giving between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026.
I believe we have a responsibility to uplift underserved members of the AAPI community who are too often overlooked and lack access to the opportunities and resources they deserve.
Apex for Youth embodies that commitment by providing young people with the mentorship, inspiration, and support they need to realize their full potential. Having grown up without the benefit of AAPI mentors myself, I find it especially meaningful to help create those opportunities for the next generation, empowering them to succeed and one day give back to their own communities.”
Our partnership with Apex for Youth has quickly become one of the most meaningful parts of our ERG community. RBC Capital Markets chose to partner with Apex because of the alignment between our values: a shared commitment to empowering the next generation and strengthening the communities we serve. What makes this experience truly special is the depth of connection it creates; whether it’s a trading floor tour, speed networking, or a case-study session, students leave with real exposure to the industry, and employees leave reminded of why this work matters.
Giving our time to these experiences has been genuinely rewarding — it’s the kind of engagement that motivates people and reinforces a sense of purpose that goes well beyond the day to day.”
Growing up in a first-generation Korean American household, I know what it means to navigate two cultures and to be seen across lines of difference. I would have loved to have mentors who looked like me and a place where I didn’t have to choose, where I simply belonged. Now, as a parent, I want every young person to feel grounded in who they are and know that all of who they are belongs in the room. Apex builds that community in a real and lasting way, and supporting it feels like investing in the future we all share.”
Our team is at the heart of the impact we make. Their expertise in education, youth development, and mental health, paired with a deep understanding of the cultural experiences Asian American youth face, allows us to provide life-changing support.
As we reflect on this year, we celebrate our staff’s years of service and their unwavering dedication to our youth and Apex community.
It has been fascinating to observe a young person transform from an innocent little kid into a mature human where the world around them gets bigger and more real.”
I always knew I could go to [my parents] for help with anything, but I know that’s not always the case in Asian American culture. I wanted to volunteer in a mentorship capacity for kids who maybe didn’t have that resource.”
One of the reasons I volunteer is I want my life to have meaning. I want to feel good about how I am living my life and to make a positive impact on others.”
I see myself in a lot of the youth we work with, and I feel I have a chance to be the support system, motivator, and teacher I wish I had as a young boy. It feels as though I’m healing my younger self.”
After becoming an alum, I really missed the community aspect of Apex and wanted to still be involved with the organization. What keeps me motivated to show up is the kids and the environment that the program staff cultivate at Apex.”
I think it’s so important to give youth examples of positive, supportive relationships with adults and their peers, outside of their daily lives. Also, to give them a space to grow as people, try new things, and simply have fun!”
‘When I grow up’ type worksheets felt so high pressure when I was a kid … I wish I had someone to tell me this, and I am glad to be able to impart that on our Apex youth.”
From its grassroots beginnings, Apex has grown through the time, resources, and expertise of generations of dedicated board members.
This most recent class guided Apex through some of its most challenging years, transforming them into a period of unprecedented growth and expansion. In that same spirit of leadership, they graciously made space for new voices and perspectives to build on the foundation they established. We are deeply grateful for all they have done to shape Apex into what it is today.
“I often think about my former mentee Eric, his sister Priscilla, and their best friend Gawa, all Apex alumni who grew up together in the tougher parts of Chinatown.
Today, they are an architect, a dentist, and a nurse, each raising families and continuing to give back to their communities. Seeing that full-circle impact has reinforced for me that Apex is not simply a youth organization. It is a long-term community institution that changes lives across generations.”
Preeti SriratanaOutgoing Chair, Apex Board of Directors
As I step into the role of Board Chair ahead of Apex’s 35th year, I feel both the responsibility of what has been built and the possibility of what comes next.
I came to Apex because I wanted to pay forward the opportunities, support, and sense of possibility others had given me. What I didn’t expect was how much Apex would give me in return — a deep connection to our community, our purpose, and to what it means to be Asian American.
As we enter year two of our strategic plan, I keep coming back to one question: What should be different because Apex exists?
Apex began with a small, dedicated group of volunteers who saw an unmet need and chose to act. Today, that group has grown into a team of more than 50 of the most caring people I have ever met, alongside a passionate community of thousands of volunteers and donors.
Our impact goes far beyond the number of youth we serve. We have the potential to change what it feels like to grow up Asian American in New York City. We can ensure youth feel seen, supported, and confident in who they are and who they can become. Together, we can change how our city — and country — sees and invests in our young people.
Apex’s strategic plan set a goal to reach 5,000 Apex youth and 12,500 members of our community overall. But the impact of reaching those youth will extend far beyond them. It reaches the sibling who sees a new path, the parent who sees new possibilities, the friend who is inspired to dream bigger, or the donor like myself whose own life is changed by being part of this organization. Each young person we reach has the potential to carry that impact forward — into their families, their communities, and the generations that follow.
That is what makes Apex so powerful. We are not just changing individual lives; we are creating a ripple effect that will change an entire community.
And what an opportunity.
Together, let’s build what comes next.
Raymond Chan
Incoming Apex Board Chair
Footnote:
Photos throughout this report are by Matt Borkowski, Kelsey Cherry, Clara Hung, Erika Kapin, Michael Kusumadjaja, Sheng Lin, Phillip Nondorf, Angela Pham, Yvonne Tnt, and Brittany Winderman. Annual report designed by Stranger Creative, written by Alli Stanca and edited by Daryl Chen. 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.
Every young person deserves to know they are never less than. Help us expand our youth’s abundance this giving season with either making a gift or getting involved.
We’re looking for 272 more volunteers to serve 417 youth in Queens and Brooklyn.
Know someone who might be a good fit?
Priority Deadline: May 31st
A
B
C
English 
Chinese 
Korean 
Bengali 
Vietnamese 
Spanish 
Tagalog 
Hindi