News & Stories

The Power of Early Reading: How 1,000 Books Are Changing Young Lives

Research has long established that a child's reading ability by the end of third grade is one of the strongest predictors of their long-term academic success and economic opportunity. Yet for millions of children in underserved communities across North America, access to books at home remains a luxury rather than a given.

This spring, the Alishan Charity Association took a decisive step to address this gap by distributing over 1,000 carefully selected books to elementary school students across three school districts in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The books — chosen by a panel of educators to align with grade-level reading standards — ranged from picture books for kindergarteners to chapter books for fifth graders, with a deliberate focus on stories featuring diverse characters and authors.

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"When I handed a little girl her first brand-new book, she held it like it was made of gold," recalled volunteer coordinator Denise Marshall. "She told me she had never owned a book before. That moment is why we do this work."

Beyond the distribution itself, the initiative included a series of family reading workshops held at local community centers, where parents and guardians were given practical strategies for incorporating reading into their daily routines. Attendance at these workshops exceeded expectations, with over 200 families participating across six sessions.

Early feedback from teachers has been encouraging. Several educators reported that students who received books through the program showed increased enthusiasm for reading during classroom activities in the weeks that followed. A follow-up assessment is planned for the end of the school year to measure the program's impact on reading fluency and comprehension scores.

The Alishan Charity Association plans to expand this initiative in the fall, with a goal of reaching 3,000 students across five states by the end of 2026. Donations to support this expansion can be made through our contact page.

Volunteer Spotlight: 5,000 Hours of Dedication That Changed Everything

Behind every backpack distributed, every tutoring session held, and every child who receives a scholarship grant, there is a volunteer. The Alishan Charity Association is built on the extraordinary generosity of ordinary people who choose to give their time, skills, and hearts to a cause greater than themselves.

In 2025, our volunteer network logged an unprecedented 5,000 hours of community service — a milestone that reflects not just the growth of our organization, but the deep commitment of the individuals who make our work possible. From retired schoolteachers to college students, from corporate professionals to stay-at-home parents, our volunteers come from every walk of life, united by a shared belief that every child deserves a fair chance.

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Among those we are celebrating this year is Marcus Thompson, a high school math teacher from Wilmington, Delaware, who has volunteered with our After-School Scholars program every Saturday for the past two years. "I see the same struggles in my classroom that I see in the tutoring sessions," Marcus explained. "But here, we have more time, more flexibility, and more one-on-one connection. I've watched kids go from failing math to genuinely loving it. That's everything."

Also recognized is Yvonne Carter, a retired librarian who coordinates our book distribution program and has personally curated reading lists for over 500 students. "Books are not just entertainment," Yvonne said. "They are windows into worlds that children might never otherwise see. Every book we give is an invitation to imagine something bigger for themselves."

We are actively recruiting new volunteers for our 2026 programs. If you are interested in joining our team, please reach out to us. No prior experience is required — only a willingness to show up and make a difference.

Partnering for Success: Refurbished Laptops Bring Digital Access to High Schoolers

In today's digital economy, access to technology is no longer optional — it is essential. Yet a significant proportion of high school students in underserved communities across North America lack reliable access to a personal computer, placing them at a severe disadvantage in an increasingly technology-driven academic and professional landscape.

The Alishan Charity Association is proud to announce a landmark partnership with two regional technology companies to address this critical gap. Through this collaboration, we have secured a donation of 150 refurbished laptops, fully restored and loaded with educational software, to be distributed to high school students in Delaware and New Jersey who demonstrate financial need.

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The laptops — each thoroughly tested and equipped with productivity tools, coding environments, and access to online learning platforms — were distributed at a ceremony held at a community center in Wilmington in January 2026. Students and their families attended the event, which also featured a brief digital literacy workshop to help recipients make the most of their new devices.

"I've been doing my homework on my phone for two years," said 16-year-old Jayla Robinson, one of the recipients. "Having a real laptop means I can actually do research properly, type my essays, and even start learning to code. I feel like I'm finally on the same level as my classmates."

This partnership represents a new chapter for Alishan Charity Association as we expand our focus beyond physical learning materials to include digital access and technology literacy. We are in discussions with additional technology partners to scale this program nationally in 2026 and beyond.

Annual Gala 2025: A Night of Generosity That Will Fund Tomorrow's Scholars

On the evening of November 22, 2025, the Alishan Charity Association hosted its third annual fundraising gala at a community hall in Wilmington, Delaware. What began as a modest gathering of local supporters has grown into one of the region's most anticipated charity events — and this year's edition surpassed all expectations.

Over 180 guests attended the evening, including community leaders, corporate sponsors, educators, and longtime donors. The event featured a silent auction, a live program showcasing student testimonials, and a keynote address by Principal Chino Chang, who spoke movingly about the organization's journey from its founding in 2022 to its current reach across multiple states.

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The gala raised a total of $142,000 — a record for the organization and a testament to the growing awareness and support for our mission. The funds raised will go directly toward our 2026 Tuition Relief Grants program, which will provide financial assistance to students seeking access to specialized educational programs and extracurricular activities.

"Tonight is proof that when a community comes together around a shared purpose, extraordinary things happen," Principal Chang told the assembled guests. "Every dollar raised here tonight is a scholarship, a tutoring session, a backpack full of supplies — it is a child's future, made a little brighter."

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who attended, donated, and volunteered their time to make the evening a success. Planning for the 2026 gala is already underway. To express interest in sponsoring or attending, please contact us.