CYI 與華僑學校義工學生在公園大合照
CYI and New York Chinese School volunteer students pose for a group photo in the park.
華僑學校王憲筠、江濬安與中國城青少年代表協會CYI 代表Spencer Tsao
攜手青年志願者於中華公所中山大禮堂合影，見證2026年「中國城靚麗日」盛會
New York Chinese School Principal Wang and Director Jiang, together with Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI) representative Spencer Tsao, pose for a group photo with the youth volunteers at the Sun Yat-sen Auditorium of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), commemorating the 2026 “Chinatown Beautification Day” event.
2026 New York Chinese School and Chinatown Youth Initiatives Hold Chinatown Beautification Day
2026 紐約華僑學校與中國城青少年協會舉辦中國城掃街活動
九月二十日綿綿細雨下，紐約華僑學校與【中國城青少年代表協會】(Chinatown Youth Initiatives, CYI) 秉持計畫舉辦第二十四屆【紐約中國城靚麗日】(Chinatown Beautification Day)掃街活動。紐約華僑學校自2018年起與CYI建立合作夥伴關係，持續共同主辦是項年度社區活動，邀請來自大紐約五區高中青年志願者走進華埠，以實際行動參與社區服務，為美化中國城、服務社區貢獻力量。
當日來自大紐約五區二十所高中的青年志願者齊聚中華公所中山大禮堂，其中包括史岱文森高中、布魯克林科技高中、布朗士科學高中、亨特學院高中、拉瓜迪亞藝術高中、千禧高中、中木高中等，計二百人。本年度以華裔子弟背景居多，藉此清潔街道、維護社區環境等實際行動，共同為美化華埠環境努力，培養積極參與社區、服務社會的責任感。
活動中青年學生代表 Spencer Tsao表示，作為新一代青年，希望透過參與社區服務，更深入了解華埠的歷史、文化及社區需求，並以自己的力量回饋社區，讓中國城成為一個更加友善、美好的交流空間。
開幕式由華僑學校校長王憲筠簡報介紹華埠、中華公所及其所屬僑校歷史及沿革；藉機行銷僑校及華埠中國城，其表示紐約華僑學校始創於中國清朝宣統元年，設址勿街天主教堂，迄今服務社區子弟117年。華裔在美國的辛苦歷史，提醒年輕學子先賢先聖對美國的貢獻，包括美西掏金、橫跨東西鐵路、華裔少數族群為美國社會的貢獻。繼而暢談紐約華僑學校所扮演的角色，除提供服務社區學子知識學習外，並為青少年學子建立成長茁壯平台，提供義工訓練、大學入學推薦函及頒發義工服務獎項。雙方互贏模式建構下，共同從事社區服務。藉由華僑學校推荐函，義工獎頒贈、協助申請優秀學生市長獎、紐約市議員獎項等助力，本年度入學學子包括加州理工大學、哥倫比亞大學、康乃爾大學、NYU、石溪大學、布魯克市立大學、普林斯頓大學、杜克大學、約翰霍普斯金大學、西奈山伊坎醫學院…等知名大學。 期間Mandy Zheng 也分享她在僑校的義工生涯及所學技能，獲得在場學生的熱烈掌聲。
冀盼藉由主流高中青年學子的參與，讓更多年輕人認識華埠的歷史與文化。 鼓勵青年學子積極參與社區服務，連結不同社區與文化的力量，協助華裔社區，創造美好的社會。隨後在CYI 全體學員見證下，王憲筠與教務主任江濬安共同頒發傑出義工獎予Macy Ma, Mark Zhang, Geoffrey Kwok 等三人，以感謝渠等對僑校一年以來的志工奉獻；並感謝【中國城青少年代表協會】全體志工的努力，同時鼓勵年輕人行有餘力參與社區服務的行列。當日活動圓滿成功，主辦雙方期盼能為社區做更多的服務。
On September 20, despite the raining weather, New York Chinese School and Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI) held the 24th annual Chinatown Beautification Day street-cleaning event as planned. New York Chinese School has maintained a partnership with CYI since 2018 and has continued to co-host this annual community event. High school student volunteers from all five boroughs of Greater New York were invited to come to Chinatown and participate in community service through direct action, contributing their efforts to beautifying Chinatown and serving the community.
On that day, approximately 200 young volunteers from 20 high schools across the five boroughs of Greater New York gathered at the Sun Yat-sen Auditorium of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). Participating schools included Stuyvesant High School, Brooklyn Technical High School, Bronx High School of Science, Hunter College High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Millennium High School, Midwood High School, and others. This year, the majority of the participants were students of Chinese descent. Through practical actions such as cleaning the streets and maintaining the community environment, the students worked together to beautify Chinatown while developing a sense of responsibility to actively participate in the community and serve society.
During the event, student representative Spencer Tsao stated that, as members of the younger generation, they hope that through participation in community service, they can gain a deeper understanding of Chinatown's history, culture, and community needs, while giving back to the community through their own efforts and making Chinatown a more welcoming and beautiful space for interaction and exchange.
During the opening ceremony, New York Chinese School Principal Jennifer Wang gave a presentation introducing the history and development of Chinatown, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and the Chinese schools under its umbrella. The presentation also served as an opportunity to promote New York Chinese School and Chinatown. He stated that New York Chinese School was founded in the first year of the Xuantong Era of the Qing Dynasty and was originally located at a Catholic church on Mott Street, and has served children in the community for 117 years. He also discussed the difficult history of Chinese Americans in the United States, reminding young students of the contributions made by earlier generations and pioneers to American society, including their involvement in the California Gold Rush, the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and the contributions of the Chinese American minority community to American society. He then discussed the role played by New York Chinese School. In addition to providing educational opportunities for students in the community, the school provides a platform for young people to grow and develop by offering volunteer training, college recommendation letters, and volunteer service awards. Through a mutually beneficial partnership between the two organizations, they work together to provide community service opportunities. With support from New York Chinese School, including recommendation letters, volunteer awards, and assistance with applications for outstanding student awards from the Mayor of New York City and New York City Council members, this year's students were admitted to renowned universities and institutions, including the California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University (NYU), Stony Brook University, Brooklyn College, Princeton University, Duke University, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, among others. During the event, Mandy Zheng also shared her volunteer experience at New York Chinese School and the skills she gained, receiving enthusiastic applause from the students in attendance.
The organizers hope that through the participation of students from mainstream high schools, more young people will learn about Chinatown's history and culture. They encourage young people to actively participate in community service, connect the strengths of different communities and cultures, support the Chinese American community, and help create a better society. Subsequently, in the presence of all CYI participants, Principal Jennifer Wang and Academic Affairs Director George Jiang jointly presented Outstanding Volunteer Awards to Macy Ma, Mark Zhang, and Geoffrey Kwok, recognizing their volunteer contributions to New York Chinese School over the past year. They also expressed appreciation to all CYI volunteers for their efforts and encouraged young people to participate in community service whenever they have the opportunity. The day's event concluded successfully, and both organizing parties expressed their hope to provide more services to the community in the future.