IYC Taiwan Branch
IMPACT Youth Club (IYC) Taiwan was inspired by IYC's meaningful service work in the United States and established to provide a platform for youth to serve, lead, and make a positive impact in Taiwan. Guided by IYC founder Ms. Wendy Wu, the branch began by bringing music to senior centers and hospitals, using performances to provide comfort, companionship, and joy.
Today, IYC Taiwan has grown into a vibrant youth-led community of more than 50 student volunteers from six schools. Members collaborate across schools, develop projects based on their interests and community needs, and take an active role in planning and leading service initiatives. From educational outreach and healthcare awareness to cultural preservation and senior services, students are encouraged to transform their ideas into meaningful action.
Through projects such as AI and chess tutoring, BuDai puppet shows, eye health awareness campaigns, therapy dog visits, calligraphy for charity, board game outreach, and community service at hospitals and senior centers, IYC Taiwan provides diverse opportunities for youth to grow as leaders while making a positive impact.
At IYC Taiwan, young people are empowered to transform ideas into action. By fostering leadership, creativity, cultural exchange, and social responsibility, the branch not only strengthens local communities but also builds confident, compassionate leaders who are prepared to create lasting positive impact both locally and globally.
Taiwan IYC Project
Our student-led projects include iCare Eye Care, Puppet Show Education Skits, Calligraphy for Charity, Reach AI & Chess Tutoring, and Therapy Dog & Board Games. Many of these initiatives support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Presidio Habitat Stewards (PHS)
This ongoing volunteer initiative brings the joy of live music to hospitals, senior centers, and metro stations through regular community performances. IYC volunteers present concerts inspired by different seasons and holidays, featuring a diverse repertoire that blends Eastern and Western music while celebrating musical from various cultures.
Through the universal language of music, these performances provide comfort, encouragement, and meaningful connections for hospital patients, senior center residents, and the broader community. The program also promotes cultural appreciation and preserves the timeless tradition of sharing music as a source of healing, joy, and inspiration.
Silver Joy Club
The Silver Joy Club is a monthly volunteer program that brings IYC members to local senior centers to promote healthy aging through companionship, recreation, and meaningful interaction. Each visit begins with gentle stretching exercises to encourage mobility and physical well-being, followed by a variety of engaging board games.
More than a recreational activity, the program fosters social engagement, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being while helping reduce loneliness among older adults. Through regular visits, IYC volunteers build meaningful intergenerational friendships, creating a welcoming environment where seniors feel valued, connected, and cared for.
Giving Garden
The Giving Garden is a long-term volunteer initiative that brings IYC Taiwan members together to grow fresh, nutritious produce for individuals and families in need. By planting, cultivating, and harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables, volunteers help increase access to healthy food while promoting compassion, sustainability, and community service.
Beyond providing fresh produce, the project teaches youth the value of environmental responsibility, teamwork, and giving back to the community. All harvested fruits and vegetables are donated to local food banks and community organizations, helping nourish those in need while strengthening connections between volunteers and the communities they serve.
Chinese Puppet Shows
IYC Taiwan volunteers celebrate traditional Chinese culture by performing handcrafted puppet shows during visits to local senior centers. Featuring beloved characters from Journey to the West, each performance incorporates engaging stories that promote topics such as cybersecurity, travel safety, medication awareness, and other aspects of senior well-being.From writing scripts to creating puppets, props, backdrops, and background music, every production is crafted by IYC volunteers. By blending cultural heritage with educational messages, these performances entertain seniors, encourage lifelong learning, and help preserve the timeless art of traditional Chinese puppet theater.
Senior Center Birthday Celebrations
Each month, IYC Taiwan volunteers bring joy to senior center residents by celebrating their birthdays with music, handmade cards, and heartfelt companionship. Volunteers perform popular Mandarin songs before honoring each birthday celebrant with personalized birthday cards and warm wishes, creating a festive and memorable occasion for everyone.
More than a celebration, this program helps seniors feel remembered, valued, and appreciated while fostering meaningful intergenerational friendships. Through music, thoughtful gestures, and genuine connections, IYC volunteers create lasting memories and remind older adults that they are cherished members of the community.
Reach AI
As artificial intelligence continues to transform education and the workplace, Reach AI equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The program introduces participants to emerging AI technologies, practical applications, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, helping them enhance learning, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and prepare for future academic and career opportunities.
By making AI education more accessible, Reach AI seeks to bridge the digital divide, spark curiosity and innovation, and empower the next generation to use technology responsibly, creatively, and with confidence.
Therapy Dog Senior Center Visits
In collaboration with the Professional Animal-Assisted Therapy Association of Taiwan, IYC Taiwan volunteers help bring comfort, companionship, and joy to older adults through meaningful animal-assisted therapy visits. Accompanied by certified therapy dogs, volunteers visit local senior centers where residents have the opportunity to interact, play, and bond with these gentle companions in a warm and welcoming environment.
These visits provide more than moments of happiness. They encourage social interaction, reduce feelings of loneliness, and promote emotional well-being. Through the healing power of the human-animal bond, a wagging tail can brighten someone's day and create lasting memories for seniors and volunteers alike.
Beach Cleanups
IYC volunteers are committed to protecting the environment through regular beach and coastal cleanup events. By removing litter and debris from shorelines, members help preserve natural habitats, protect marine wildlife, and create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Beyond improving our beaches, this project fosters environmental stewardship, teamwork, and civic responsibility. Through hands-on service, volunteers gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of protecting our oceans and waterways while inspiring others to reduce pollution and care for the environment. Together, these efforts help build healthier, more sustainable communities for future generations.
iCare Eye Care
The iCare Eye Care initiative helps protect the vision of people living in high-altitude communities, where intense UV exposure significantly increases the risk of eye disease. IYC volunteers collect and distribute UV400-certified sunglasses, providing effective protection against harmful ultraviolet rays through donation drives and fundraising efforts.
Beyond providing protective eyewear, volunteers also promote eye health through educational presentations in schools and local communities, raising awareness about the importance of daily UV protection and preventive eye care. By combining education with practical support, the initiative empowers individuals to safeguard their vision while improving long-term eye health in underserved communities.
Lunar New Year Calligraphy Donations
Each Lunar New Year, IYC Taiwan volunteers preserve the tradition of Chinese calligraphy by creating handwritten Spring Festival couplets to share with hospital patients, low-income families, and senior center residents as symbols of good fortune, health, and prosperity. In some years, the calligraphy works are also sold through charitable fundraising events, with proceeds benefiting local hospitals and community organizations.
To celebrate the festive season, volunteers often perform traditional Lunar New Year music, creating a joyful atmosphere while sharing the spirit of the holiday. Through this annual tradition, IYC volunteers not only preserve an important cultural art form but also spread hope, warmth, and blessings to the community during one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year
Get Involved with IYC California
Please check our IYC Taiwan Instagram for more information and timely updates!
Want to get involved?
If you're interested in joining one of our projects or learning more about IYC Taiwan, please email us at tw.iyc@impact-usa.org
