Reflecting on a year of transformation, mentorship, and community as we honor the milestones, growth, and lasting relationships that have made 2024 unforgettable.
By Ashley Ye | December 23, 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an extraordinary year at Apex for Youth—a year filled with unforgettable moments, inspiring events, and transformative programs that empowered the next generation of Asian American youth.
From an impactful gala and vibrant community events to mentoring milestones and heartfelt celebrations, every moment this year has strengthened our mission to uplift Asian American youth. Together, we’ve built bonds, celebrated achievements, and created opportunities that will resonate for years to come.
We’re excited for the future and look forward to another year of growth and impact in 2025. Thank you for being a part of the Apex journey!
Our Elementary Explorers in Brooklyn’s favorite workshops consisted of going to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, exploring nature, raking leaves and picking up trash in Sunset Park. Students dove into a friendly competition as they tidied up the park, turning community service into a fun and engaging activity. Another highlight was building igloos with marshmallows—a returning hit from last year! Students had a blast crafting edible structures, blending creativity with holiday cheer. From nature adventures to hands-on projects, these activities helped our young learners discover new passions while giving back to their community.
In Queens, students explored the vibrant mural art of Flushing through a scavenger hunt, learning about the cultural stories behind each piece. They also created mosaic subway station signs inspired by their neighborhood, celebrating its diversity and the community they cherish.
The Read with Apex program celebrated friendship and creativity through in-person and virtual activities. In-person students explored the theme of friendship by reading When a Friend Needs a Friend and crafting friendship bracelets, while virtual participants took a space-themed journey, creating their own planets and aliens.
This year’s journey at Apex for Youth showcased the incredible power of mentorship, connection, and community. From hands-on activities to meaningful discussions, our programs celebrated the diverse ways youth and mentors grew together.
One standout moment in our Brooklyn Middle School Mentoring Program was when our mentors and mentees became food anthropologists, chefs, and artists. Together, they created five unique dumpling recipes from across Asia. Each group selected a recipe, researched its cultural origins, gathered ingredients, and prepared enough dumplings to feed the entire cohort. To top it off, they crafted recipe cards and shared fun facts about their creations—a flavorful way to explore culture and teamwork.
In our National Virtual Mentoring Program, the intersectionality workshop stood out for its depth and engagement. Mentors and mentees dove into meaningful breakout room discussions, often reluctant to leave. These conversations were a powerful reminder of how mentorship can foster understanding, connection, and critical thinking—even across a virtual setting.
Closing Day celebrated the culmination of a semester of growth, reflection, and achievement. In Brooklyn, for the first time, the festivities took place in Coney Island, where youth, staff, and volunteers enjoyed arcade games, roller coasters, and beachside fun. The Manhattan Middle and High School Mentoring Programs’ event featured tug-of-war, pie-throwing, and heartfelt speeches at Riverdale Country Day School, creating a joyful and memorable farewell. Graduating seniors took center stage, sharing powerful reflections on how their mentors shaped their journeys.
Just a few months later, Opening Day marked a fresh beginning for the new school year, becoming the largest in Apex history. More than 324 youth and volunteers gathered in Sunset Park, filled with energy and excitement to kick off another transformative semester. For the 113 new mentor-mentee pairs formed, the day was an opportunity to build trust, discover shared interests, and set the tone for the months ahead. Activities like balloon racing, bracelet-making, and the “Side Quest” challenge fostered connection and collaboration, while the National Virtual Mentoring Program welcomed 64 mentor-mentee pairs from across the country, underscoring the power of relationships in any setting.
From the fresh beginnings of Opening Day to the heartfelt farewells of Closing Days, these events are a testament to the power of connection and the lasting impact of mentorship. They remind us that each year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and build a stronger, more supportive community.
“What Apex and Ben [my mentor] taught me goes beyond… They taught me how to thrive, have confidence in myself, and embrace discomfort. I know whenever I step into the Apex office, I am welcome and appreciated.”
– Jason, an incoming Georgetown freshman
Photo: Brittany Winderman
Photo: Sheng Lin
Apex for Youth’s Mental Health Services offer counseling and support to Asian and immigrant youth and families, focusing on cultural experiences and emotional well-being. This year’s highlights include Family Night, where we use social-emotional learning games to encourage reflection, and the Healing Workshop Series, in partnership with the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, where youth led workshops on racial healing and mental health support.
Our 3rd Annual Art Exhibit celebrated creativity, featuring artwork from 3rd graders to college-aged alumni. The exhibit featured a rich tapestry of creativity: narrative-driven scenes with compelling backstories, sculptures offering glimpses into other worlds, and pieces that reflected journeys of self-discovery through the creative process. Each artwork was imbued with life, making the curation process feel like an “Art Picnic”—a communal gathering where visitors could savor and celebrate the diversity and richness shared by the artists.
The We Run As One (WRAO) League, which we resumed this year, is a key component of our Athletics Program, bringing youth from all around the city together through winter and summer basketball leagues. Through practices, tournaments, and mentorship, the league helps participants grow as athletes and leaders, demonstrating the transformative power of sports in empowering and uniting youth. This year, we celebrated milestones including the first-ever middle school all-girl division, a record 24 teams and 240 players, and first ever All-Star Day and Award Ceremony. The event featured All-Star Day competitions, All-Star Games for each division, and a ceremony at the Apex office with food and socializing, bringing together teams, coaches, and families.
In addition to the We Run As One League, we hosted two impactful Asian athlete speaker panels this year. The first panel, held at the NBA Office, featured panelists EJ Lee, Ilene Tsao, Elissa Leung, Ace Watanasupurp, and Kane Ma, who shared their personal journeys as AAPI athletes, reflecting on how sports influenced their careers and the valuable life lessons they gained in perseverance, identity, and leadership. The second panel, in collaboration with BSE Global, brought together Brooklyn Nets’ 2-Way Player Jacky Cui, along with Ian Yu, Eddie Lau, and Sunshine Rodgers, who shared powerful stories of overcoming challenges in both their athletic and professional lives, highlighting the importance of resilience, breaking barriers, and using sports as a platform for leadership and community empowerment.
Apex’s College Access Program supports 11th and 12th graders as they prepare for the college application process. The program helps students identify their strengths, research best-fit colleges, and overcome barriers in applications, financial aid, and scholarships. Students reported high satisfaction (93-100%) and a strong sense of safety, gratitude, and belonging. Notably, 11th graders experienced a 55% increase in understanding how to find a best-fit college after one year in the program.
This summer, we had another exceptional season of internships through our JT Tai & Co. Foundation Summer Career Exploration Program (SCEP). We’re excited to have served 15 high school and 20 college students, offering them paid internships that opened doors to new career pathways from technology to fashion.
As part of our Summer Career Exploration Program, participants attended four Professional Development (PD) sessions. These included a Spotify office tour and panel at their New York City headquarters, a panel discussion and office tour at RSM, a global leader in empowering middle market businesses, a career panel and credit-building information session at JP Morgan Chase, and an Apex-hosted workshop on creating a strong LinkedIn profile.
The 32nd Inspiration Awards Gala at Cipriani South Street was a remarkable evening of celebration, community, and connection. The event focused on the critical need for mental health programming and well-being support for Asian American youth. Attendees were moved by our speakers, especially our youth speaker, Matthew, and honoree, Constance Wu, who was honored for her groundbreaking achievements and advocacy for Asian American representation in Hollywood.
Taste of Asia Co-chairs, Simon Kim, Michael Chung, and Wen Zhou; Restaurant Co-chair, Jenn Saesue; and the incredible Taste of Asia Host Committee put on an unforgettable evening at Madison Square Park, where New York City’s AAPI community came together to celebrate unity, culture, and generosity at Taste of Asia. The event raised nearly $1.4 million for Apex for Youth and the Madison Square Park Conservancy.
The event featured 40 of New York’s top restaurants, from Michelin-starred establishments to beloved local spots. The diverse culinary offerings mirrored the diversity of the youth we serve – each individual contributing their own unique flavor to the community.
The evening highlighted the AAPI community’s progress while acknowledging the ongoing work to support and uplift its members. Events like this are crucial in both celebrating achievements and strengthening the support systems that help our youth thrive.
Photo: Clara Hung
Photo: Clara Hung
The Apex Associate Board hosted its 3rd Annual Holiday Market at Calligaris Chelsea, continuing its mission to grow and foster the Apex for Youth community. The event brought together supporters and community members to celebrate the holiday season while spotlighting the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of 31 incredible AAPI vendors and small business owners.
The market offered something for everyone:
With an impressive 930 attendees and over 400 walk-ins during the weekend, the market was abuzz with activity. Many attendees brought along family and friends, further enhancing the sense of unity and holiday spirit.
Photo: Clara Hung
Photo: Clara Hung
Apex for Youth’s Elementary Enrichment Programs aim to harness that potential, building confidence and fostering a sense of belonging among Asian American youth from Kindergarten to 5th grade. By creating a supportive community of peers and trusted adults, these programs help young minds navigate a critical developmental stage while discovering new interests and deepening ties to their culture and community.
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. His commitment to the API community and passion for fostering inclusivity and belonging are evident in both his art and his advocacy.
