Uncategorized
Footprints
2025
- ECSSEN’s Career Development Department delivers a total of 18 programs, serving 1100 with the support of 300 volunteers.
- ECSSEN supports 10 participants in securing employment, recruiting an additional 15 individuals through the Summer Job program. The Career Development Department also collaborates with Dairy Queen to provide 5 youth participants with employment.
- ECSSEN welcomes two students from the University of Victoria under the Practicum program.
- The IgniteYouth Club continues to provide opportunities for youth leadership and skill development, formally led by 15 executive members.
- ECSSEN awards 9 individuals with a total sum of $6000 in Scholarships and Awards across eight different fields.
- The Chinese Emotional Support Hotline begins to emphasize service accessibility and public awareness, reaching to international students across Canada through various media channels, while also co-hosting an in-person event in Toronto.
- The Food Rescuer transported 480,000 pounds of food, travelling 99,990 kilometers, completing 1,487 distributions and serving 26,602 beneficiaries all across Alberta.
- ECSSEN partners with the Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) to help develop culturally appropriate mental health services for newcomers. Following community consultations, ECSSEN shared its findings at ActionDignity’s Newcomer Symposium and the City of Calgary’s Community of Practice Special Session on Newcomer Mental Health. ECSSEN also contributes to the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good’s Research Action Team on Mental Health to improve culturally responsive supports for newcomers.
- ECSSEN Career School organizes a one-day highway clean up activity, hosting 60 volunteers and 15 vehicles, cleaning up 17.8 kilometers along Highway 23.
2024
- ECSSEN celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a commemoration event, attracting over 260 people including volunteers and community leaders alike.
- ECSSEN optimizes our own volunteer management processes by focusing on improvements in the following areas: clarifying core services, refining recruitment processes and forms, defining volunteer responsibilities and training procedures, developing volunteer retention and support strategies, and promoting community engagement and development.
- ECSSEN Career Development Department provides career guidance and services to five clients, while also hosting workshops under the Career Salon program regarding AI, early childhood education, healthcare, engineering, and marketing.
- In conjunction with the Red Cross and Government of Canada funding, ECSSEN Career Development Department supports two Nursing Assistant (HCA) to complete training and secure employment. 111 ECSSEN volunteers also complete standard first aid training.
- ECSSEN Career Development Department receives Canadian government funding for the Summer Student Work Experience Program, recruiting 15 students for paid work experience over the summer.
- ECSSEN’s IgniteYouth Club hosts the “Canada in the Eyes of the Youth” knowledge competition, to raise awareness surrounding multiculturalism and anti-discrimination. IgniteYouth also hosts a parent-child activity, Mid-Autumn festival celebration, and two talent shows hosted at the Wing Kei Senior Home.
- ECSSEN awards 5 recipients under the Scholarships and Awards Program.
- The Chinese Emotional Support Hotline serves the community for a cumulative 31,400 hours, answering 6000 calls and serving Chinese people across Canada, the United States, and Hong Kong. In addition to 24/7 support, the Hotline continues to develop by participating in mental health related events in Calgary and providing increased training opportunities for volunteers.
- The Food Rescuer Program delivers 550,000 pounds of food travelling 125,000 kilometers, completing 1,253 distributions, benefiting 42,644 families in need. The services expand to cover five major cities in Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Airdrie, and Lethbridge, while also caring for Indigenous communities such as the Siksika Reserve. To date, 916 volunteers have made 17,819 trips, driving a total of 589,682 kilometers, rescuing over 2,186,151 pounds of food.
2023
- ECSSEN’s management team is given professional knowledge training by Calgary’s municipal government experts, helping us to improve organizational structure and effectiveness.
- The ECSSEN Career Development Department secures Canadian government funding for 15 students to be recruited for a summer student work experience. Red Cross funding is also secured to sponsor two volunteers to receive medical and nursing certification. 39 volunteers also receive first aid certification.
- ECSSEN Career Development Department also hosts Career Salons regarding drones, medical assistants, and banking.
- The ECSSEN Career Development Department hosts two youth leadership events in conjunction with Toastmasters and Rotary. The ECSSEN IgniteYouth Club is also founded, creating a new opportunity for youth development at ECSSEN.
- ECSSEN Career School awards 5 deserving students under the Scholarships and Awards program.
- The Chinese Emotional Support Hotline received almost 4000 calls and received recognition from Alberta Health Service, Calgary Police Service, and Calgary Distress Centre, while also participating in training from these organizations.
- ECSSEN’s Food Rescuer Program organizes 875 volunteers to transport 610,000 pounds of food, travelling 157,000 kilometers, making 1,348 direct distributions, and benefiting approximately 865 families. Moreover, volunteers participated in the Alberta Highway cleanup, as well as food distributions during Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
- For the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, ECSSEN Career School joins other organizations in Calgary to commemorate this event and the contributions of Chinese Canadians.
- ECSSEN Career School assists Dr. Wu Ying in organizing two events for parents of children with special needs, to inspire, raise awareness, and raise acceptance of people with special needs. ECSSEN also hosts our annual Christmas party for children with special needs.
- ECCSEN’s 2023 Institutional Building Project was featured in the City of Calgary’s FCSS Annual Report, standing out among 95 organizations and 156 projects.
2022
- ECCSEN’s management framework is finalized and our charity continues to operate smoothly.
- ECSSEN’s Career Development Department hosts over 20 Career Salon lectures, including topics such as personal success stories, soft skills, university applications, and interview techniques.
- Working with Toastmasters, ECSSEN hosts communication skills training and Youth Leadership Skills training. The Youth Science project hosts an introductory electronics course for teenagers and the proceeds are donated.
- ECSSEN recruits 15 students for summer jobs through Canadian government funding, completing work experience in software design and marketing.
- 7 recipients receive scholarships under the Scholarship and Awards program.
- The Food Rescuer Program involves 106 suppliers, 676 community distributions, benefiting 47,000 families, travelling 180,000 kilometers, to distribute over 650,000 pounds of food.
- The Chinese Emotional Support Hotline expands to nearly 150 volunteers, answering 1700 calls from across Canada, as well as the United States and China. The hotline also achieves status as the recommended hotline of Alberta Health, Inform Alberta, and Calgary Police Services. The hotline also supports English speaking callers to help them access free food and other social resources.
- The Special Needs Children Program co-hosts a Christmas party with the Heart to Stars Association.
2021
- The Youth Leadership and Skills Training Program hosts training sessions regarding model airplanes training, video production, interview skills, workplace communication, and online peer support. Some of these training sessions are hosted in conjunction with Toastmasters. The Youth Mentoring Program organized online support group activities for young new immigrants.
- ECSSEN receives funding for 27 summer students to work on a blockchain project.
- On the 10th year of the Scholarship and Awards program, five awards were distributed.
- On the 10th year of the Special Needs Children Program, a Christmas party is organized for the children and their parents.
- ECSSEN officially launches the Chinese Emotional Support Hotline and begins 24/7 operation, taking calls while also training volunteers.
- ECCSEN’s Food Rescuer Program expands to include Edmonton, Red Deer, Airdrie, and Cochrane, and Lethbridge. It also expands to 73 food donors, delivering food to those affected by COVID-19.
2020
- ECSSEN obtains federal government funding and recruits 8 summer students to develop and market a blockchain project, B-Charity. The Career Development Department also hosts the Youth Future Scholars Forum, which allowed youth to hear from seven professionals in different industries.
- The Special Needs Children Program continued despite the circumstances of the pandemic, with new forms of charitable fundraising and activities.
- ECSSEN collaborates with the Calgary Chinese Isolation Support Group to carry out COVID-19 relief activities, helping to find quarantine accommodations, and procure PPE and other supplies. In total, over $15,000 of aid is raised.
2019
- ECSSEN establishes its Social Work Practicum Program and a University of Calgary Social Work student completes the first practicum placement.
- The Youth Leadership Skills Program hosts youth-led public speaking training course and competition. Through the Youth Mentorship Program, youth leaders organize celebrations for Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- ECSSEN also launches the Youth Employment Skill Training Program, which includes a C programming language course.
- ECSSEN organization awards its seventh round of scholarships and bursaries to five students.
- ECSSEN holds its eighth annual Christmas celebration for youth and children with special needs.
2018
- ECSSEN establishes an Executive Committee to serve underneath the Board of Directors.
- ECSSEN successfully hosts the “Canada and I” Speech Competition. The organization also delivers a youth public speaking training course.
- ECSSEN launches the Youth Leadership Skills Training Program and Youth Mentorship Program.
- Two recipients are awarded scholarships under ECSSEN’s Scholarships and Awards program.
- The Food Rescuer Program expands to other participating businesses and beneficiaries.
2017
- ECSSEN Career Development launches its Employment Incubator Program, offering streams in Accounting, Office Administration, Engineering, and Project Management. Youth Leadership skills training begins, and the Career Salon program launches as a permanent program.
- ECSSEN successfully hosts the first “Your Civic Engagement” political knowledge competition with 150 youth participants.
- 7 recipients receive scholarships under the Scholarships and Awards Program.
- ECSSEN establishes the COBS Bread Distribution Project to deliver bread to community members in need.
- The Special Needs Children Program hosts a summer trip for children with special needs.
2016
- ECSSEN expands its scholarship and bursary program to include five donors and broadens the award categories from medicine, law, and arts to include sports.
- ECSSEN partners with other community organizations in Calgary to organize a fundraising campaign for Fort McMurray wildfire disaster relief. Together, we raise more than $21,700 CAD, which is donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
- The Special Needs Children Program hosts a Christmas party for children with special needs and their parents.
2015
- ECSSEN Career School reorganizes, bringing in new leadership and a new Chairman and President, Wang Jilin.
- ECSSEN Career Development launches its finance job training program.
2014
- ECSSEN expands its employment skills training by offering programs in decoration and renovation, tour guiding, and on-the-job training for accounting staff.
2013
- ECSSEN receives funding from Employment Canada and hires three summer students to provide them with valuable Canadian work experience.
- ECSSEN’s first job training course concludes and graduates of the Travel Agent Training Program establish Feiyang Travel Agency.
- ECSSEN expands its scholarship program to 14 recipients, launches the Special Needs Children Care Program at Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch Summer Program, and receives funding to explore the development of a social enterprise.
- ECSSEN organizes a fundraising event in partnership with other organizations in the Chinese community to support victims of the Ya’an, Sichuan earthquake, raising more than $6,500 CAD. The organization also provides financial assistance to a girl from Mianyang who suffered severe injuries during the earthquake and lost her right leg.
2012
- ECSSEN launches its Career School website.
- ECSSEN introduces its first employment training course for women and youth facing barriers to employment, focusing on travel agent training.
- ECSSEN awards its first Immigrant Possibility Bursary to an immigrant medical student.
- ECSSEN establishes the Special Needs Children Development Care Program, and planning begins for a social enterprise.
2011
- ECSSEN receives our first government grant and establishes the ECSSEN Medical Bursary and the ECSSEN Law Bursary.
- ECSSEN begins to participate in local events, taking part in the fundraising event for the Tom Baker Cancer Center.
2010
- For the first time in ECSSEN’s history, the organization receives government funding. This milestone marks the beginning of ECSSEN Career School’s ongoing commitment to giving back to Canadian society.
2009
- One hundred percent of the funds raised for the 2008 Sichuan earthquake are donated to support a school in the affected area.
- A multimedia classroom sponsored by ECSSEN is established at an elementary school in the earthquake-stricken Mianyang area.
2008
- ECSSEN organizes a fundraising campaign for the Sichuan earthquake in China, raising over $20,000 Canadian Dollars. The Calgary China Sichuan Earthquake Foundation is established.
2005
- ECSSEN founds a unique ESL class for new immigrants for practicing English over the phone.
- ECSSEN introduces the Starry Sky programs including a bilingual school, an arts school, and summer camps.
2004
- ECSSEN Career School is founded.
- Edward Liu, Yang Ting, and Su Xinhua are the founders and Liu Qing serves as the chairman and principal.
Youth Career Skills Training Program
This program provides youth with practical career readiness training through workshops facilitated by experienced professionals and adult mentors. Participants develop essential workplace and professional skills through sessions designed to support their future education and employment.
Topics Covered
- Public speaking
- Effective communication
- Résumé writing
- Interview preparation
- Digital literacy
- Other career-focused competencies
IgniteYouth Club
Founded in 2023, IgniteYouth Club welcomes youth volunteers aged 14 and above. The club empowers participants to take initiative and assume meaningful responsibilities in every program, fostering leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through a diverse range of roles and hands-on experiences, volunteers develop practical skills that set them up for success in their future endeavours.
Activities and Programs
- STEM career exploration
- Cultural exchange events (Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival)
- Social research projects
- Community service initiatives
Community Engagement
We seek to connect community members with valuable career-related resources, industry professionals, and local organizations to strengthen their professional networks and community connections. Through job fairs, networking opportunities, and community outreach events, participants gain access to employment resources and discover opportunities that support their career development and long-term success.
Programs
- Job Fair
- Outreach Events
Career Guidance
We seek to support individuals with industry professionals who provide personalized career guidance, mentorship, and professional development support. Through one-on-one mentoring, career forums, panel discussions, and career salons, participants gain valuable industry insights and receive practical advice to support informed academic and career decisions.
Programs
- Career Salon
- Tech Forum
- Mentorship
Employment Skills Training
We seek to provide individuals with skill development and training opportunities to build the competencies needed to succeed in the Canadian workforce. With a strong emphasis on transferable soft skills, workplace readiness, and understanding Canadian workplace culture, the program helps participants strengthen both their capabilities and confidence for employment. Training is delivered through both internal and external programs and ranges from general employability skills to industry-specific technical training, ensuring participants are well prepared for a variety of career pathways.
Topics Covered
- Resume writing
- Interview preparation
- Networking workshop
- Job related technical skill training (HCA certification, First Aid Certification)
- Workplace and cultural adaptation
- Digital literacy and digital skills (website design, Canva)
Loving Heart Food Giveaway
It’s amazing
In 9 days from August 28 to September 5
More than 200 volunteers
Distributed:
Approximately 90,000 pounds of food from 4 huge containers (times 3: Unloaded into storage, reloaded onto individual vehicles, and unloaded at final distribution spots)
To:
More than 80 organizations, and
More than 1,000 families
Travelled about 5000 km;
In 9 days
Volunteers as old as 80 and as young as 10
Everyone put efforts together
Supported our financially struggled neighbourhood
Under this act of kindness;
This is
the greatest single achievement in more than 4 years history of
Love Heart Food Distribution Program+ Chinese Emotional Support Hotline 5879975977
No words can express our highest appreciation but a deep bow from the bottom of our heart
ECSSEN Volunteers Registration Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHiJISQtxpN8h9jz6F2y_hDajK9nw86wZtuzvB3aK5WFI8VQ/viewform
Or scan the QR code below to enter the WeChat Group:
The Chinese Emotional Support hotline is supported by a group of volunteers who have stories like Andy. If you and your friends and relatives around you want to talk and need resources, please call the hotline 587-997-5977. In addition, the hotline recruits volunteers and supervisors throughout the year. If you are interested, please copy the link below to sign up or scan the code to sign up through the poster below:
https://forms.gle/HVGG6zgB2CuZXYpS8
Please also have a reference form complete your reference in addition to the application: https://forms.gle/Xg6GvgaKJ26NUVYN7
The volunteer coordinator will arrange for you to participate in the training as soon as possible.
Community Outreach
Organizing volunteers to contribute to Canadian society is a worthwhile ongoing program. ECSSEN works closely with local food producers by picking up their donations and then distributing them to families in need and local social service agencies in a timely manner. So far this program has delivered a few million dollars worthy value of rescued food in Calgary, Edmonton, Airdrie, Cochrane and Southern Alberta.
Over 300 volunteers work diligently everyday to carry out this mission. It does not only bring essential food to people, it also create a warmth of support among the recipients. It also generates a joy of helping others and great belongings among our volunteers. Now more than ever, we need volunteers to distribute rescued food during COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in join us, please email: [email protected]
The photo shows our brave volunteers are still picking up donation diligently during COVID-19 pandemic.
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