Meet Cyndy Yu-Robinson
“I am an Asian American professional, serial volunteer, and privileged college graduate who has worked in public, private, and non-profit sectors.” Cyndy Yu-Robinson (She/Her/Hers) contributed the following story.
Service in Asian/Asian-American Culture
Service in the Asian and Asian American culture tends to be focused more on giving TIME (care-giving, organizing, finding solutions) and TALENT (teaching, tutoring,
cooking) than on TREASURE (traditional philanthropic funds). The level of focus can be the family or extended family unit, and sometimes the broader community. U.S. born Asian Americans espouse the values of equality, equity, and justice as well as education, hard work, and giving back. Asian immigrants (first generation Americans) appreciate service given and giving service because they came to the U.S. seeking the values above. Having moved 12 times in 10 years before attending high school, I always appreciated the difficulty of fitting in and making friends. I learned the importance of “Why not be the first to say Hello? reach out? break the ice? first.” That spirit of commonality and desire to do the right thing carried over to a willingness to volunteer, serve others, and do the less sexy and less obvious things like 
looking out for the underserved or historically marginalized groups at school, in our communities, or in our nation. ”
Every person who has ever had self doubt, emotional trauma, financial loss, or loss of motivation reported feeling better, clearer, more inspired, and more connected by serving others.
Solidarity Through Service
Solidarity Through Service is an impact campaign designed to bring people together across faiths and cultures through volunteer service. The campaign is in partnership with International Focus in recognition of “International Human Solidarity Day” declared by the United Nations General Assembly as December 20th.
Activate Good believes that acts of service are a vehicle for increasing empathy and understanding for people across differences. When we serve together, we are all helpers, united in solidarity by purpose – despite any differences in race, nationality, faith, or other factors.