Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Lyudong Yan. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Lyudong Yan founded the Asian Heritage Collective to help young people embrace their identity instead of suppressing it. As executive director of the youth-led 501(c)(3), he volunteers roughly 40 hours a month and coordinates the tutors, volunteers, and partnerships behind the organization’s work, including free Chinese language tutoring, a music ensemble, and hands-on service programming. His favorite part of the role is watching it all come together: every event depends on many people and many different skills, and seeing them converge is what he finds most rewarding.
AHC has logged more than 6,800 community impacts, grown to a 26-member team, and tutored 57 AP students this year. Its music ensemble has reached thousands, while its “Crayon Reborn” program turns broken crayons into craft kits for local libraries and Head Start daycares. Through service partners, the team has prepared more than 1,200 meals for unhoused veterans.
Now preparing to host a TEDx event and headed to college, that belief shapes how he leads. Everyone has something to offer, he insists, regardless of age or experience. He firmly believes volunteering runs on reciprocity; you strengthen your own abilities even as you lift up others.
Do you want to make a difference in your community like Lyudong? Find local volunteer opportunities.