BCNC Youth YiMing Yu To Accept Youth Action Award at We Are Boston Gala

YiMing Yu (余逸銘), a Charlestown High School student is receiving the Youth Action Award at the We Are Boston Gala. We Are Boston Gala (www.cityofboston.gov/weareboston) is hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and the Office of New Bostonians. The Youth Action Award recognizes immigrant youth who translates perseverance, courage of New Bostonians into action; demonstrate significant contribution to his community.

Students in the BCNC-Charlestown High School partnership program who participated in a video contest won a visit to White House in April 2012.




YiMing Yu, 18, came to Boston from Chinatown three years ago. As part of BCNC-Charlestown High School partnership program – Chinese Immigrant Student Leadership (CHISL), YiMing and fellow students created a video entitled “My Voice – Their Stories” that was entered into a “Champions of Change” contest sponsored by the White House in February, 2012. The video garnered 11,000 on-line votes and won students an invitation to the White House.

When Yiming was informed of the planned budget cuts to the Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) Program at Charleston High School, he jumped into action. After debating with his peers and consulting his teachers and mentors about the impact this would have on underrepresented Chinese immigrant families in his community, Yiming coordinated a
written response highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed cuts and testified at City Hall.

Yiming’s passion for a cross cultural experience and improving his leadership development was evident when he was nominated to participate as a member of the BPS Office of English Language Learners Youth Advisory board in April 2012.




During his first two years of high school Yiming has enrolled in honor classes and has received the Charlestown High School Character award. He has also competed in the Boston Public school math competition and achieved first place and second high score at the 2012 Boston Public school science fair competition. Along with his academics at school he is part of the rowing club and secretary and class representative for the Chinese Club at Charlestown high school.

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc (BCNC) was founded in 1969 by neighborhood residents. For over 40 years, BCNC has served as the vital link to the Asian American community throughout Greater Boston, providing support and resources to ease their integration into American society. BCNC offers exemplary services to over 2,000 people each year, strengthening families and  building communities. We are acknowledged as the largest Asian social service provider in New England, and our programs include: Acorn Center for Early Education and Care, Adult Education, Arts & Enrichment, Family Child Care, Family Services, Oak Street Youth Center, Recreation and Fitness and Red Oak After School Program.

The We Are Boston Gala is to be held on Tuesday, December 4 2012 beginning at 5:30 PM at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (415 Summer Street, Boston, MA).

BCNC’s Main Office is at 885 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111. BCNC’s main phone number is (617) 635-5129, and its website is www.bcnc.net.