Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI)

Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI) is a youth leadership organization dedicated to providing a safe space for New York City youth, and empowering them to be agents of social change in New York's Chinatown and beyond. CYI embraces the philosophy that young people are not only tomorrow's leaders but also leaders of today, and as such, we must help develop their ideas, passions, and skills to strengthen their sense of self worth, as well as their families, communities, and ultimately, our global community.

Since its establishment in 1999, CYI has guided high school students through the exploration of personal identity, as well as issues affecting Chinatown, Asian Americans, and other underrepresented communities, as a means for providing the foundation and skills necessary to articulate the unique needs and wants of their communities - whether in Chinatown, New York, or America. While our mission remains the empowerment of the youth, CYI continues to shift its focus to promoting activism and the application of leadership skills in the real world environment through community projects.