CMP Alumni

2025 CMP Gala on April 24th

Please Stay Tuned for Future Updates!

 

Time & Location

Thursday | April 24, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Terrace on the Park

(52-11 111th St, Queens, NY 11368)

 
 

Sponsor Package / Tickets

Please purchase your packages/tickets/ads before the gala

Purchase sponsorship/tickets/ads

I/We cannot attend but wish to make a tax-deductible donation to support CMP’s work.

 

*Please choose “2025 Gala” in the checkbox

For further information about the 2025 Gala, please feel free to contact us at honglee@cmpny.org or shirleyzou@cmpny.org.

Highlights from 2024 Gala

 

CMP 2024 Thanksgiving Reception

CMP hosted a Thanksgiving Reception on November 19th, extending our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible donors and supporters who selflessly championed our cause throughout the year. The event, held at our headquarters at 55 Chrystie Street, welcomed over 70 attendees, including 12 esteemed board members and more than 50 dedicated supporters and donors.

This special occasion provided a unique platform for our donors and board members to engage with our team, gaining insights into our work and understanding how their contributions play a vital role in fulfilling CMP's mission of promoting economic self-sufficiency.

Group Picture from 2024 CMP Thanksgiving Reception

The highlight of the evening was the 7 p.m. media ceremony, where attendees had the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from our former students, Aria and Yiming. These individuals shared their transformative journeys, narrating how CMP played a pivotal role in their personal development, leaving a positive impact on their lives.

Now a student at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York, Yiming laughs that when he was first recommended by a friend to come to CMP's Train & Earn program (formerly known as the OSY program), he didn't believe that it was really free. But he later found out that this organization had been helping Chinese in the community free of charge for many years. He was offered an internship through this program, and his excellent performance led him to become a part-time computer teacher at the Hamilton-Madison House, where he was interned.

Aria was a student in Peter's class at CMP. While improving her English with us, she also wrote her first English resume with the help of our job developer. She is now an English teacher at the Senior Center for the Chinese Planning Council and is preparing to apply for college to pursue a higher degree with the help of the Train & Earn Program instructor. She said, “CMP has made me who I am now. I hope CMP gets better and better and is seen by more people.”

Representative Ravi Reddi from the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Representative Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio from the Office of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Dynishal Gross also presented at the event.

Some highlight photos:

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CMP 2024 - 2025 Annual Support Campaign

,

CMP is now launching the 2024 - 2025 Annual Support Campaign. Join us in making a difference!

CMP proudly serves over 4,000 individuals yearly through a diverse range of programs. Your charitable contribution plays a vital role in supporting this impactful work. Together, we can empower communities and create lasting change! 🤝

(Click the Image to View the Full Brochure)

 
 
“Thanks to CMP, my once uncertain journey as an immigrant became a clear path towards college education, internship, and a career”
— Melody Gu, a 2018 Train and Earn program alumni; a Finance Manager at Midas Exchange; the CMP 2024 Gala Spirit of Immigrants Award Honoree
 

How You Can Help

Help To Give Hope

  • $2,000 can subsidize the costs of HVAC training for 1 immigrant to pursue a new career

  • $1,500 will help 1 aspiring entrepreneur attend our small business training and receive one-on-one business counseling

  • $1,000 can pay for the cost of providing digital literacy classes and related services to 1 new user of technology

  • $500 will help to strengthen 1 child’s cultural identity and resilience with enrollment in the CMP Chinese School

  • $350 helps to provide 14 counseling hours to help unemployed workers achieve gainful employment and income security

  • $150 will subsidize 1 immigrant participant's Career Pathway activities to fully explore his/her career and academic potential, and to acclimate to life in the U.S.

 

Thank You for Your Support!

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Pathway to Success Workshop on May 7th

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Weijie (Jack) Tang from Zurich U.S. Commercial Insurance conducted a Pathway to Success workshop on May 7th for the current Train & Earn program participants. Jack, an inspiring former Train & Earn program (former OSY Program) program participant, and a straight-A NYU graduate, shared his journey of overcoming language and cultural barriers. He provided valuable tips on achieving academic excellence and career success to our current program participants.

2024 CMP Gala: AccomplisHERS - Honoring Women’s Career Achievements

THANK YOU!

CMP's 2024 Gala: AccomplisHERS - Honoring Women’s Career Achievements was successfully concluded on April 18th. Close to 440 guests join us for a night of recognition, networking, and philanthropy. The event aims to celebrate Women in the Workplace, acknowledging their fresh perspectives and creative energy that enrich our professional community, as well as to recognize their contributions as impactful citizens in society.

This event would not have become possible without YOUR contributions. Your generous support will enable us to enhance service delivery, maintain quality oversight, address evolving community needs, and further our mission to foster career advancement and economic self-sufficiency.



Congratulations to Our Honorees

Mrs. Amy Mak Chan

Mrs. Amy Mak Chan is the President of the Fook Funeral Group. She has more than thirty years of experiences in funeral service. Her high standards and attention to details continue to inspire those around her to provide the best and personalized service that is tailored to each family. Mrs. Chan runs her business with great success, but with a woman’s compassion. In 1997, Mrs. Chan established the Celestial Love Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works to help those who do not have any direct family members or means to fulfill their final journey in this world.

 

Isabel Ching, LMSW

Isabel Ching is Executive Director of Hamilton-Madison House, a nonprofit settlement house established in 1898 to provide a safe home for New Yorkers citywide to thrive. Isabel has been with HMH for 27 years, providing both direct services and executive-level leadership to the organization. Isabel is the first Asian American woman to head up a New York City settlement house, and is the only Asian American Executive Director in the 126 years of history of Hamilton-Madison House.

 

Amy Ho, CPWA, CFP

Amy Ho is Managing Director, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Group, Business Operations & Control Executive at Bank of America.  She oversees the ongoing execution and development of effective risk governance across the CAO organization.  Amy is active in corporate employee resource groups.  She is Enterprise Co-Chair of the Parents & Caregivers Network, and legacy mentor for Women’s Exchange as well as the Cherie Blair Foundation’s Mentoring Women in Business program.  Amy gives back to the place where she spent her formative years.  She is on the Board of Managers and Chairs its Board Development Committee for the YMCA of Greater New York, Chinatown Branch.

 

Baayork Lee 

Baayork Lee is a pioneer for Asian American women in theatre arts.  Born in New York’s Chinatown, she made her Broadway debut in the King and I at the age of 5.  In 1975, Baayork participated in the workshops from which A Chorus Line was developed.  Along with the cast, she won the 1976 Theatre World Award for Ensemble Performance for the show.  Baayork performed in and choreographed many shows throughout her career.  She founded the non-profit NAAP (the National Asian Artists Project) to showcase the work of Asian-American theatre artists.

 

Melody (Qinqing) Gu

Melody Gu is a Finance Manager at WPP, a world leader in communications, experience, commerce, and technology. She started her journey as an immigrant in late 2007. Facing the challenges of learning a new language, adjusting to new culture and customs, and deciding what to do with her future, she enrolled in a full-time, 13-week program at CMP, where she learned English, computers, cultural immersion, and career/college preparation. With CMP’s encouragement and assistance, she pursued a college education and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Queens College. Melody joined the world’s largest media investment company GroupM, a WPP company, in 2014, and now manages the Finance Department at the WPP company Midas Exchange, supervising and mentoring a team of 20-plus people.

 
 

Thank You to Our Sponsors


Time & Location

Thursday | April 18, 2024 | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Terrace on the Park

(52-11 111th St, Queens, NY 11368)

 
 

Sponsor Package / Tickets

Please purchase your packages/tickets/ads before the gala

Purchase sponsorship/tickets/ads

*Click the image to download the file

I/We cannot attend but wish to make a tax-deductible donation to support CMP’s work.

 
 

*Please choose “2024 Gala” in the checkbox

 

Media Coverage

 

For further information about the 2025 Gala, please feel free to contact us at honglee@cmpny.org or shirleyzou@cmpny.org.

Thank you for your interest. Please stay tuned for CMP 2025 Gala!

Highlights from previous gala

,

CMP 2023 - 2024 Annual Support Campaign

,

CMP is now launching the 2023 - 2024 Annual Support Campaign! Join us in making a difference!

CMP proudly serves over 4,000 individuals yearly through a diverse range of programs. Your charitable contribution plays a vital role in supporting this impactful work. Together, we can empower communities and create lasting change! 🤝

CMP 2023 - 2024 Annual Support Campaign Brochure

(Click the Image to View the Full Brochure)

 

What Do People Say About Us

“Our community really needs organizations like CMP that helps immigrants and small businesses. I am truly grateful for the help that I received from CMP.”
— Wendy Chen, the operator of two nail salons, contributes to generating and maintaining 16 jobs.

Wendy Chen

Jack Tang

“I thank CMP for helping me as a new immigrant to build a strong foundation for my academic and professional journey.”
— Jack Tang, an Underwriting Account Service Analyst at Zurich North America. He joined CMP in 2015 barely speaking any English and graduated with honors from NYU in 2021 with straight A.
“CMP’s small business workshops and internship opportunities exposed me to the idea of entrepreneurship. This life-changing experience provided me a career option that I had never thought I would have taken.”
— Andy Wang, the operator of two Bonchon Chicken restaurants, achieved the third-highest revenue among over 200 Bonchon Chicken franchisees nationwide in 2021 and 2022 with his Brooklyn store.

Andy Wang

A Community In Need

49%

Challenge: 49% of working-age Asian New Yorkers had limited English proficiency (LEP), compared to the citywide average of 25%

➡️ CMP offers vocational English, college, and career pathway programs to help LEP workers become more employable

25%

Challenge: 1 in 4 Asian Americans live in poverty, twice the rate of White New Yorkers

➡️ CMP provides employment skills training, career counseling and mentoring, and job placement to help Asian American workers attain gainful employment


54%

Challenge: Fifty-four percent (54%) of self-employed Asian Americans had limited English proficiency, and they had lower earnings than non-Asians

➡️ CMP supports Asian American entrepreneurs with small business training, financial literacy workshops, access to capital, one-on-one problem solving, and disaster relief assistance

 

How You Can Help

Help To Give Hope.

  • $3,000 can subsidize the costs of vocational training for 1 immigrant worker

  • $1,500 will help 1 aspiring entrepreneur attend our small business training and receive one-on-one business counseling

  • $1,000 can pay for the cost of providing digital literacy classes and related services to 1 new user of technology

  • $500 will help to strengthen 1 child’s cultural identity and resilience with enrollment in the CMP Chinese School

  • $350 helps to provide 14 counseling hours to help unemployed workers achieve gainful employment and income security

  • $150 will subsidize 1 immigrant participant's Career Pathway activities to fully explore his/her career and academic potential, and to acclimate to life in the U.S.

 

Thank You for Your Support!

From Immigrant to Hotel Manager: CMP's Transformative Impact

Dongxiao Wu, a single mother who arrived in the U.S. in 2017, faced language barriers and an unfamiliar environment. With the support of CMP's Adult Literacy Program and her dedicated teacher, Peter Gu, she began her transformative journey.

Through various CMP programs, Dongxiao not only improved her English but also gained vital life skills. She delved into workshops, attended job fairs, and explored financial literacy.  Dongxiao's journey from her student life at Laguardia Community College to her first job at the Richland Hotel and eventually becoming a hotel manager assistant is a testament to the power of education and support.

"CMP has given me a lot of strength and has helped me, a new immigrant, to learn, grow, and make progress." -- Dongxiao

Dongxiao participated our Neuberger Berman Workshop on May 16th, 2024

CMP 2019 Gala Spirit of Immigrant Award Recipient: Kevin Wang

This week CMP is pleased to introduce our last but equally important honoree:

Spirit of Immigrant Award

Kevin (Guoqiang) Wang

Kevin (Guoqiang) Wang emigrated to the U.S. from Fuzhou, China in 2009. As a new immigrant facing the challenges of language and cultural barriers, he used to work only in low-skilled, low paying jobs.  Just when he felt helpless and hopeless about his future, he was connected to CMP, which opened the first door towards his professional journey. Kevin now is working at MTA as an Assistant Civil Engineer.

Kevin (Guoqiang) Wang.png

Interested in knowing more about Kevin’s inspiring experience? Join us on April 18th  to celebrate and learn more!