2019-2020 A Year of Resilience & Record-Breaking Service
The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic transformed communities around the world. For Impact Youth Club (IYC), however, the year was defined by resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to service. As community needs evolved, IYC quickly adapted by transitioning to a virtual-first model while continuing to expand its programs and support those in need.
Despite the uncertainty, our volunteers remained committed to making a difference. Through creativity, teamwork, and compassion, IYC launched new virtual initiatives, strengthened community partnerships, and achieved record-breaking service accomplishments, proving that even during the most challenging times, the spirit of service can continue to inspire hope and create meaningful impact.
Our membership grew to more than 120 dedicated volunteers across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Taiwan, who collectively contributed an extraordinary 5,038 service hours—more than four times the previous year's total. Their outstanding commitment earned 36 President's Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA), the highest in IYC's history at the time. In the face of unprecedented challenges, IYC transformed adversity into opportunity, making its greatest impact yet through resilience, innovation, and service.
National Recognition: GreatNonprofits 2020 Top-Rated Award
Impact Youth Club (IYC) was honored to receive the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Award, a national recognition based on outstanding reviews from volunteers, donors, and community members.
Receiving this award during one of the most challenging years in recent history recognized IYC's dedication to pandemic relief, innovative virtual programs, youth leadership, and community service. The honor reflected the passion and commitment of our volunteers, mentors, parents, and supporters in empowering youth to make a positive impact.
Charity Concert for Alzheimer's Support
In October 2019, IYC hosted a successful Charity Concert and Raffle Sale at the Chelsea Senior Center to benefit the Alzheimer's Association of New Jersey. The event brought together youth volunteers, families, and community members for an afternoon of inspiring musical performances, exciting raffle prizes, and meaningful community engagement, all united by a shared commitment to supporting an important cause.
The fundraiser also raised awareness about Alzheimer's disease and the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by memory loss. Thanks to the generosity of community members, volunteers, and supporters, IYC raised $1,170 to support the Alzheimer's Association's mission of providing care, support, and research.
Urgent Global PPE Relief for Wuhan
As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, IYC responded swiftly to the growing global crisis. In February 2020, we organized an emergency fundraising campaign, raising $2,500 in just one week to purchase urgently needed Personal Protective Equipment for frontline healthcare workers in Wuhan, China. The supplies supported medical professionals working tirelessly under extraordinary conditions during the pandemic's earliest stages.
This rapid community response demonstrated IYC's commitment to serving beyond borders and supporting those on the front lines during a time of unprecedented need. It marked the beginning of many pandemic relief initiatives that reflected our mission of compassion, leadership, and service.
Fundraising to Support Local Hospitals
As the COVID-19 crisis intensified in the United States, Impact Youth Club (IYC) launched a special fundraising campaign to provide essential protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers in New Jersey. Partnering with HWC Coffee of Taiwan, IYC created an exclusive IMPACT-branded gourmet coffee package, turning a simple purchase into a meaningful way for the community to support those on the front lines.
Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and supporters, the campaign enabled IYC to purchase and distribute 4,500 medical masks and 7,000 medical gowns to six New Jersey hospitals. This initiative demonstrated how creative fundraising could make a difference during the pandemic.
Face Mask and LED Bulb Donations
As face coverings became critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, IYC donated 800 high-quality handmade face masks to four local police stations, helping protect law enforcement officers serving on the front lines.
We also organized an LED Light Bulb Donation Drive, providing energy-efficient light bulbs to police stations, senior centers, restaurants, schools, and churches. The initiative helped local organizations reduce operating costs while encouraging environmentally responsible practices.
Together, these projects demonstrated how youth volunteers could respond creatively to community needs by supporting public safety, promoting sustainability, and making a meaningful difference during the pandemic.
Monthly Virtual Concerts for Senior Centers
When the COVID-19 pandemic made in-person performances impossible, IYC launched monthly virtual concerts for residents at six local senior centers. Performing live from their homes via Zoom, our young musicians continued bringing music, joy, and companionship to seniors during a time of isolation.
These concerts offered comfort, joy, and something for residents to look forward to each month. The heartfelt interactions between volunteers and seniors demonstrated that music could overcome physical distance, making this one of the most memorable and meaningful chapters in IYC's history.
Love In The Chaos
During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched Love in Chaos, a creative initiative to spread hope through simple acts of kindness. Volunteers hand-painted colorful rocks with uplifting messages and cheerful artwork, then placed them in parks, sidewalks, walking trails, and other public spaces throughout the community.
These unexpected treasures brought moments of joy and encouragement during a time of stress and isolation, reminding people that kindness can be found in the most unexpected places. This meaningful project inspired youth to use creativity to brighten someone's day and demonstrated that even the smallest acts of compassion can make a lasting impact.
Service Without Boundaries
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced communities into lockdown, IYC refused to let physical distance stop our mission of service. Instead, our youth leaders transformed challenges into opportunities by creating three innovative, volunteer-led virtual programs: ChitChat provided virtual companionship and engaging conversations in a relaxed, supportive environment, helping students improve communication skills, build self-confidence, and develop meaningful friendships. EZ Gym offered online fitness sessions that encouraged students to stay physically active, healthy, and motivated while spending extended periods at home during the lockdown. Educare provided free academic tutoring and personalized educational support, helping students stay engaged in learning and succeed despite the challenges of remote schooling.
These programs enabled IYC to continue serving the community from home, keeping learning, connection, and volunteerism alive throughout the pandemic. We proved that service can thrive even in the face of adversity.
Meal Delivery to Homebound Seniors
During the COVID-19 lockdown, IYC remained committed to supporting the community's most vulnerable members. Recognizing that many seniors were unable to leave their homes due to illness, quarantine restrictions, or safety concerns, our volunteers organized regular meal deliveries to homebound seniors throughout the community.
More than providing food, these deliveries offered reassurance, compassion, and a sense of connection during a time of isolation. By checking in on seniors and ensuring they had access to essential meals, our volunteers eased daily challenges while reminding them they were not alone. This initiative reflected IYC's belief that small acts of kindness can bring comfort, strengthen communities, and make a lasting difference.
Media & Community Recognition
IYC's dedication and innovative response during the COVID-19 pandemic earned widespread recognition across television, newspapers, and online media. Our youth volunteers were featured by NJ News 12's "New Jersey Proud," World Journal, Yahoo News, Patch, Renna Media, and other community publications for their outstanding efforts in serving those in need.
The coverage highlighted IYC's diverse pandemic initiatives, including virtual senior center concerts, PPE donations to hospitals and frontline workers, and other community relief projects. These recognitions celebrated the compassion, leadership, and resilience of our volunteers while demonstrating how young people can make a meaningful difference, even during the most challenging times.
IYC Life in a Day: Summer 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped daily life, IYC invited members from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Taiwan to document a day in their lives during the summer of 2020. This 22-minute time capsule captures how our youth volunteers balanced virtual learning, music, family life, hobbies, and community service while staying connected through IYC.
This video celebrates the resilience, creativity, and unity that defined our community during one of history's most challenging years. It reminds us that while the pandemic changed our lives, it never changed our purpose.
Holiday Jing Bells Choir For Our Senior Pals
For many years, Impact Youth Club (IYC) celebrated the holidays by hosting concerts and activities at local senior centers. When the COVID-19 lockdown made in-person visits impossible in 2020, we continued this tradition by recording a special Holiday Choir performance and sharing it with our senior friends. The virtual performance brought music, holiday cheer, and a sense of connection during a time of isolation.
