Mission

Founded in 2009, SINO-USA Next Generation Foundation (the Foundation) is a 501C3 non-profit organization devoted to youth development in both China』s rural areas and North America.

We believe education is not just academic development and opportunity, but culture and social involvement and responsibilities. It is more important for next generation children/students to develop their sense of social responsibility and leadership skills through volunteering and giving back to community activities. To facilitate this goal, the Foundation has established the Shine a Light Service Award (SLA) platform with on-going support and management.

Introduction of SLA 

Full Name：Shine a Light Award.

Background：July 2020，the Foundation has issued the Shine a Light Award to 57 children and young adults across North America to recognize their contribution to help front line workers during the pandemic. This initiative has obtained praise and support from the Chinese community. Encouraged by the success of this movement, the Foundation board decided to extend the Shine a Light Award to recognize Chinese American youth for their contributions towards all community service efforts. In addition to SLA, the Foundation will award outstanding high school students with the 「North American Prominent Chinese High School Student Public Service Scholarship Award」 and the 「Presidential Volunteer Service Award」 (PVSA), which recognizes students who have contributed significant hours of community service*. 

Participants: Middle school and high school Chinese-American students who organize and/or participate in community service. 

• Students who meet minimum requirements will be awarded the SLA and/or PVSA. 
• Students with outstanding records can apply for North American Prominent Chinese High School Student Public Service Scholarship Award

 Award Requirements

• Every year the Foundation will issue SLA awards to participants who served 25 hours or more with a certificate and gift card (if applicable). 
• Outstanding high school students who complete an application and are selected will be awarded the North American Prominent Chinese High School Student Public Service Scholarship Award
• The Foundation will apply PVSA for  the participants who meet the PVSA service hour requirements to receive the award at the Bronze, Silver or Gold level

SLA Registration and Process

1. Team organizer registers with the Foundation by contacting shinealightaward@fornextgen.org and fills out an application.
2. The Foundation』s registration team will evaluate the application 
3. Registered teams will provide each participant』s hours and project/event reports on a regular basis. 
4. The Foundation will monitor the team』s progress and provide guidance.

Service Requirements:

Eligible Service:

• The Foundation encourages teamwork. All the community service opportunities will be team based, with at least 3 participants in each team.
• Service hours are accumulated within calendar year (from January 1 to December 31)
• Each team shall register with the Foundation and report regularly with service report, service hours and photos..
• Each team must have an adult (18 years and older) as a sponsor.
• Majority of participants are grades 6-12 Chinese American Students 
• All events or services must focus on community services, that include but are not limited to:
  • Long term or regularly helping other students with learning disabilities.
  • Long term or regularly helping a disadvantaged group or a person
  • Long term or regularly working on environment protection and awareness
  • Other community services

The following services are not eligible for the Awards:

• Self enrichment of academic achievement and personal talent/skills
• Profit oriented (unless the profit is donated to a specific eligible cause)
• Donating funds
• Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
• Religious instruction
• Conducting worship service
• Proselytizing
• Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
• Serving only family members

Please contact shinealightaward@fornextgen.org for questions.