Member publications
The Austin Chinese Culture Festival (ACCF) is an annual celebration organized by ACAN, showcasing the richness of Chinese culture and the local artistic talents. Traditionally held to coincide with the Chinese New Year, this year’s ACCF is set for Saturday August 17, 2024, at the AISD’s stunning Performing Arts Center (PAC), the same venue that hosted the inaugural ACCF in 2018.
Presidents Award Essay Over this past year, I’ve tried to involve myself in numerous ACAN efforts. These included Project Rise Together, Project Cleaner Austin, Project Melody, in addition to Westwood’s Student Council. This year, I also created and led my own project, Project Sing Along, where we taught kids with special needs music. Across…
In the past year of my volunteer journey, I’ve really embraced an ancient Chinese saying: “Don’t underestimate the power of doing good, no matter how small the act.” This proverb has truly come alive for me as I’ve seen firsthand how even the tiniest acts of kindness can make a huge impact on our community….
Project Melody is a student-led volunteer group dedicated to spreading our love and passion for music. Throughout the past year, we have held multiple concerts, including a fundraiser concert and several senior home performances. We plan to expand our project to play for more varieties of people, as well as help and mentor younger and…
The opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for Project Rise Together has allowed me to explore stories I would otherwise not be able to, and help the community of children in Austin. Our team has worked with Children of the King, a daycare for children who may not have the same opportunities…
Over the past two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of leading Rise Together, a project dedicated to providing opportunities and experiences for local youth, as well as developing friendships between different communities. The children we work with have often come from difficult childhood backgrounds, such as living in poverty, dangerous neighborhoods, or…
Volunteering is a powerful act of selflessness that has the potential to not only impact the lives of those being helped but also to profoundly change the perspective and values of the volunteer. Over the past year, I had the privilege of participating in several new unique volunteering experiences that left an indelible mark on…
I’ve always wanted to contribute to ACAN’s mission to serve the community and spread our Chinese culture. During my time at Project Melody, I performed many musical pieces with my peers to present a part of my chinese culture and share the love for music with my community. We visited nursing homes for the elderly,…
Every time when I apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, it holds more significance than just an accolade. It represents my ongoing commitment to serving the community and making a lasting impact. One of my key involvements is with Girls Giving Grant (g3), which is part of Impact Austin’s youth initiative. This year, our…
I never understood why someone would willingly volunteer. The concept of working without expecting payment left me bewildered. After a year of giving back, the idea no longer seems so foreign. Volunteering at establishments such as CAMP Camp and The Salvation Army made me realize how much of a difference a single person could make…
Overall, my involvement in community activities this past year has been transformative. From assisting with ACAN events like the Turkey Trot water station and Christmas gift wrapping, to sharing my musical talents through Project Melody and serving as a volunteer at Teen Court hearings, I have witnessed the profound impact that individuals and organizations can…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1C6mqMCSGQ
Watch a short video to learn about the ACAN Youth Projects for 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ2Siut26nU
The APAPA/IACT/ACAN Texas Capitol Summer Internship Program in Austin, TX, is designed to transform current and future college students into future leaders in the State of Texas. This program provides an opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills, gain public policy experience, and become civically engaged. The APAPA/IACT/ACAN Internship Program will develop growth and…
South Africa: A Lesson of Gratefulness Over the recent years, I have had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to volunteer and experience the unique culture and environment that the country is known for. Along the way, I learned a lot about happiness, especially gratitude. To set the scene, I first began taking an…
Project Melody Project Melody is a student-led volunteer group dedicated to spreading our love and passion for music. Throughout the past year, we have held multiple concerts, including a fundraiser concert and several senior home performances. We plan to expand our project to play for more varieties of people, as well as help and mentor…
Introduction: At the Austin Chinese-American Network (ACAN), our mission is clear: to serve our community and foster our heritage. We are dedicated to supporting our youth and encouraging them to actively participate in or initiate projects that align with our mission. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the various avenues available for ACAN Youth…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Board of Directors at the Austin Chinese-American Network (ACAN) is thrilled to introduce the outstanding students who have claimed various medals across three distinct award categories. This celebration underscores the remarkable achievements of ACAN Youth and the unwavering dedication of our Board in supporting and nurturing the next generation as we…
The Austin Chinese-American Network (ACAN) is delighted to graciously accept a generous donation of 500 T-shirts from TexTale Inc. These high-quality T-shirts will be thoughtfully distributed by ACAN to our local communities in need, bringing warmth and comfort to those who require it most.
On May 26th, the ACAN CleanerAustin team kicked off the first day of summer break with a park cleaning and team-building event at Brush Creek park. More than 20 volunteers, including both youth and adults, participated in this event. The youngest participant was a fourth-grader. Everyone did an exceptional job, and some of the youth…