The Chinatown Community Young Lions Inc. program
represents a unique and successful effort in providing services for the children
of our community. 39 years ago, The Chinatown Community Young Lions program was
founded in order to create a Cultural program that would enable young kids between
the ages of 6 to 17 years old, to participate and learn the traditions of Asian
culture without having to join the so-called associations. We found that many
children did not want to be obligated to any one organization, thus we decided
that our concept would be that of a revolving door system with total freedom.
With the help of community leaders in Chinatown, we were able to form the
Chinatown Community Young Lions Inc.
Over the past 37 years our Young Lions have performed so well that we
were hired to perform at Special Events around the Tri-state area including
Atlantic City, NJ, Rochester, NY and Hartford, CT. With the money that our
group made, we were able to start other projects, which we call the Chinatown
Community Youth Program. The program which offers activities such as sports,
counseling services, field trips, arts & crafts, music appreciation, Asian
dancing, lion dancing and summer jobs. These programs that have been provided to
our youths have been solely funded through the diligent and hard work of our
members. Today our program has grown from 9 members to 300 active members. In
the past 37 years over 2000 members have passed through our doors. We would
also like to mention that the Chinatown Community Young Lions have been regarded
as one of the most respected group in our community. We were also commended by
the “CETA” program administration; quote “The Chinatown Community Youth
Summer Work Program was considered one of the best in the entire city”.
Up to this day the success of our two programs are due to the efforts and hard work of the members themselves. They are governed and directed solely by themselves and are a very independent group of youths. Neither program has ever been sponsored by any City, State or Federal Agency. Community leaders, parents and business people who cared very much for our children have funded our programs. Our limited staff of volunteers is made up of college students and parents who donate their time to supervise our two programs. None of our staff or directors is salaried.
The members of our group pay no fees to join, and we do not collect any membership dues. All of our funding comes from donations from the community during the Luna New Years parades and Special Events performances.
The Young Lions services not only the Chinese community, but donate our
services to other agencies that need our support. We have performed in
hospitals, nursing homes, senior citizen centers, schools, day care centers,
settlement houses, Head Start programs, Asian festivals, etc…
Our goal is to offer and assist any youth a place of belonging. Teaching them performing arts, cultural history, educational assistance, and the trials of growing up. Many of the members have grown up to become supervisors and directors of today’s Young Lions program.