在Across U-hub 完成人生第一次全馬！

Across U-hub 是我在加拿大的避風港，在這裡我作了許多新嘗試，亦經歷了很多開心的時刻。它不只是一個青年組織，也是一個幫助新移民的機構，像是一道橋樑，促進新移民和經驗豐富的「老居民」交流，更像一個大家庭。

這裡每個活動都提供空間讓大家可以實現夢想，不用擔心被既有的框架限制。只要有想法和熱忱，就會得到大家的支持讓你盡情發揮。

回想剛來到加國時感到有些迷失，不知道該如何起步，又欠缺動力。馬拉松是我一直想嘗試的運動項目， 但缺少一群志同道合的夥伴。 Across 每週的Practice Run 是轉折點，他們聘教練義務教授跑步技巧，更給予我動力和堅持的理由; 而與我一起受訓的朋友更在我衝線那一刻為我放聲歡呼，甚至比我還叫得大聲。

首次完成全馬的成就感實在難以言喻！說實話這是連我都懷疑是否可以完成的挑戰，但在Across， 我覺得自己找到了立足點，無論是新手還是老鳥，這裡總有位置讓你發光發亮。

Although I was born in Canada, I grew up in Hong Kong. When I moved to Toronto three years ago, I found that my experience was similar to many new immigrants: even without worrying about permanent residency, I still had to adapt to a new way of life and gradually integrate into a different culture. I had a few friends in Toronto, but not many. Over these years, I’ve truly understood the saying, of 「出外靠朋友」. Having a place to live and a job are just the basics — building friendships and a sense of community are what makes a place feel like home.

Through Across U-hub, which was introduced by one of my friends back in Hong Kong, I met many other Hong Kongers — some who had been in Canada since their student days and experienced different transitions, and others, like me, who arrived more recently and faced similar challenges. By sharing experiences, listening to advice, and learning from those who came before us, I gained valuable insights and practical support.

I especially appreciate the variety of programs that Across U-hub organizes. From workshops where I learned crafts and baking to volunteering at events, these activities helped me connect with the Toronto community in meaningful ways. Volunteering not only allowed me to give back but also deepened my sense of belonging here. More recently, I participated in producing social media videos for Across U-hub, meeting inspiring individuals who are building their lives and dreams in Canada. Their stories encouraged me to reflect on my own aspirations and what I want to achieve here.

Across U-hub has been more than a community to me — it has been a place where my journey of belonging in Canada truly began.

When I first began volunteering at Across U-hub, my only motivation and purpose was simply to complete my volunteer hours. However, as time went on, my perspective shifted in quite an unexpected way. What started as a requirement that somewhat felt like a chore, slowly turned into an experience that felt meaningful. I began to see the impact this space had on other people and me. It became something I found enriching, somewhere I got to learn new things and meet new people. One of the main things that stood out to me was how everyone was able to blend in despite their differences – people from all walks of life participated, shared their experiences, and joined to form a welcoming environment. It was when we made food for the unhoused people, not just recognizing their struggles, but actually trying to understand what they’re like, even if we’re so much more fortunate than them. It was when we stayed persistent trying to fundraise for Across U-hub in the craft market, despite the harsh weather of that day. It was when people made time out of their busy days, just to support the team.

I realized that Across U-hub had nothing to do with our background, our language, or even our personality; it was about being present and working as a team, as a community. While I may not personally resonate with finding a “home” here, it has been truly heartwarming to witness how most people see Across U-hub as a place of comfort and belonging. Where a sense of belonging is felt, strong connections and relationships are made, and most importantly, meaningful lessons are learnt. Seeing the way people can light up and open up about their perspectives and experiences in this community has shown me a deeper meaning behind my volunteering which made this journey so much more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined.

我与Across U-hub 的故事始于2021 年5 月。当年正值疫 情时期，我被迫居家上课，为了学生们仍然能够参与课外活动，多伦多教育局 (TDSB) 在学生的课程平台提供了许多志愿者和组织选择，那时的我正在寻找一个帮助青少年与加拿大社区建立联系、 培养他们成为领导者的组织，Across U-hub 就是在许多组织中吸引我的那一个。

在Across 的这些年里，我通过参与Across U-hub 举办的许多活动，学到了如何成为一名负责任、可靠、平易近人的领导者，例如与多伦多及地区保护局(TRCA) 合作的植树活动、City Mosaic 城市拼圖、与Ve’ahavta 合作的Lunch Prep 一起为有需要的人士制作爱心三明治；及在Across U-hub 年度筹款晚宴活动中担任主持。这些活动真的帮助我成为了比以前更好的人。植树和制作爱心三明治让我明白，一个好的领导者也应该回馈社区，为我们所亲近的人创造更好的环境。

2022 年 11 月，我很荣幸被邀请担任 Across U-hub 年度筹款晚宴活动的主持人。这对我来说是一个巨大的挑战，因为我担心自己无法在数百人面前发表公开演讲，因此，我和我的主持伙伴不断积极地练习演讲稿、默契度，以及我们的舞台站位，希望将最好的自己展现给观众。这次活动取得巨大的成功，直至今日，依然激励着我。

我在 Across U-hub 收到的最好的礼物之一，就是自信和善良，善待他人真的帮助我在许多组织中成长， 成为一名合格的领袖。我永远感激 Across U-hub 支持且暖心的工作人员，也感激我自己努力成为更好的人。我也要感谢 Across 给我机会获得 2025 年安大略省志愿服务奖，如果没有Across U-hub 给予我的温暖和鼓励，我就无法成为今天的我。

每当我微笑着逐一推开 Across 那两扇涂着神秘色彩的门时，就会想起，在我生命的十七年中，从来没有哪个地方令我如此挚爱。咖啡色不透光的那扇我们共同的记忆之门后面，有过喜悦、不安、彷徨，有过走到最后才响起的掌声，有过掌声中的泪水和泪水中面巾的抚慰。过去两年，我不时会来 Across 参加活动，可每次从车窗看逐渐后退的 Across 门牌时，心中总会犹疑：以后还会再来这里吗？

转折也许来得并不迟。在 Across 的领袖训练营的告别环节，我们站成一圈，手握紧手，悉心聆听每人的回顾与分享。直击肺腑的坦言、手间传递的温暖和心中的踏实令我感动不已。几番，我欲拭泪，却都忍住没将手松开——我真切地感到，我们是一家人，无论如何都难以分割，即使那扇咖啡色的门才刚在我身后轻轻合上。

When we first started volunteering at Across U-hub, we thought it was just signing up to help out to do something useful and to spend a few hours giving back. We joined all kinds of activities, from garbage clean ups to cookie making for fundraisers, expecting nothing more than some community service hours. But somewhere in between picking up trash and baking cookies, something unexpected happened. We made friends.

During clean-ups, we’d walk around together with gloves and trash bags, joking about the weird things we found and cheering each other on when we got tired. By the end, we’d be sharing snacks, laughing, and planning what to do next time. Cookie making was even more fun. The kitchen was chaotic in the best way with people laughing and the smell of cookies everywhere. We made a mess (and a lot of cookies), but more importantly, we made memories. Looking back, we realized that volunteering at Across U-hub gave us more than just a chance to help out – It gave us a place where we felt like we belonged. We came to volunteer, but we ended up finding a community, and that’s something we’ll always be grateful for.

今年我在Across 當了半年義工暨暑期實習生，在過程中十分享受，也獲益良多。而我最享受的，莫過於這個地方充滿著濃厚的人情味。

這是我高中畢業後的第一份工作，同事雖不算多，但大家的相處情同手足，經常會有食物、禮物與大家一起分享。不單如此，這份情也順道延伸到各種活動的參加者和義工當中。人與人之間能有這樣的關係是非常難得的。我深深記得 Nicole 介紹 Across 時說過，Across 之所以叫「hub」，是因為這個地方就像機場一樣：有第一次參加活動的、有後來停留的、有離去的，也有回來的人 –– 但無論每個人背後有怎樣的生命故事也好，活動時總能交織擦出各樣的火花。而這些火花不單只是我當參加者時才察覺得到；就在我當小組組長，或是在幕後幫忙籌劃活動時，跟本來陌生的義工交流更讓我體會得到。

感謝Across 讓我領導能力增長了不少，變得沒以前那麼不情願參與交流之餘，也感覺到自己比起以前心境開朗了不少。期待繼續參與他們的活動！

近年來，不少香港青年人來到加拿大，我們面對陌生的環境難免感到困惑與迷惘，社群的陪伴因此顯得格外重要。故此我認為青年服務的真正意義不是單向付出，而是彼此激勵、共同成長。

過去一年多，我在 Across U-hub 參加過的活動中, 例如Learn to Camp 及 City Mosaic，讓我與其他參加者和義工互動，從而理解到不同的觀點與故事，也提醒要開放自己的心。青年人的勇氣與真誠激勵我在這片新的土地勇於嘗試、不怕失敗，走出舒適圈。 在對話裡，我樂於分享自己的經驗，幫助他們掌握新技能, 鼓勵他們與人合作和增進人際關係。在 Across U-hub ，我可以透過安全的平台表達自己，讓我感到被接納，獲得勇氣，並逐步發掘自身的潛能，探索更大的世界。

Across U-hub 讓我有機會參與為無家者送餐及預備曲奇餅和毛氈等活動, 讓我們彼此扶持，身體力行服務社區，為鄰舍帶來溫暖與盼望；也幫助我們在加拿大紮根，綻放光芒，勇敢地活出一片新的天空。

My involvement with Across U-hub over the past three years has played a pivotal role in my integration into the Canadian society. Across has not only provided me with opportunities to contribute to my community but has also allowed me to explore my own identity and purpose.

From tree planting in local parks to preparing lunches for the unhoused, each volunteer experience has deepened my understanding of the diverse issues facing our youth and families. I’ve learned that the roots of these challenges often lie in the systemic issues that require collective action and compassion to address. Working alongside community partners, I have witnessed the power of collaboration in fostering change and creating a sustainable development model that nurtures the well-being of young people.

Participating in initiatives like clothes recycling and charity runs has not only enabled me to give back but has also enriched my own life. The sense of community and shared goals has inspired me to embrace the values of empathy and solidarity. Helping to organize the fundraising gala was particularly fulfilling, as it brought together individuals who share a passion for uplifting others.

Through my journey at Across U-hub, I have not only discovered the joy of giving but also the importance of connection and belonging. I am incredibly grateful for this experience, as it has transformed me into a more engaged and hopeful member of my community.