FAQ
Straight answers about joining, sponsoring, and taking part in the New York Teochew Youth Federation Association.
The New York Teochew Youth Federation Association (纽约潮青联谊会) is a non-profit community association founded in 2025 in New York City. It is the youth wing of the New York Teochew Association, and it unites Teochew (Chaoshan) entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders aged 18 to 58 across America.
Teochew people — also written Chaozhou or Chaoshan (潮汕) — originate from the Chaoshan region of eastern Guangdong, China. They speak Teochew, a Southern Min language, and have formed one of the world's most widespread trading diasporas, with communities across Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
No. The New York Teochew Association (纽约潮州同乡会) is the parent body, founded in 1953. The New York Teochew Youth Federation Association was founded in 2025 as its youth wing, with its own board, its own programmes, and members aged 18 to 58.
Queenie Ma (马立禧) is the founding President. She leads a founding board of 23, spanning executive leadership, vice presidents, administration, and advisors, drawn from finance, real estate, law, logistics, media, technology, and hospitality. Full biographies are published on the Leadership page.
The red-head boat (红头船) was the red-prowed junk that carried Teochew migrants out of Chaoshan across the South China Sea. It became the enduring symbol of Teochew migration, enterprise, and resilience, and it anchors the association's identity: to venture, to endure, and to succeed against the odds.
Four: Unity (团结), Heritage (传承), Innovation (创新), and Development (发展). They are summarised in the Teochew maxim 敢拼会赢 — "dare to strive, destined to win" — and they shape the six core directions that the association's programmes follow.
Six core directions: fellowship and networking, cultural heritage, international exchange, public service, enterprise and careers, and global ties. In practice that means gatherings and banquets, cultural and festival events, international conventions, volunteering, business forums and mentorship, and partnerships with Teochew associations worldwide.
Membership is open to people of Teochew heritage in America, aged 18 to 58, who share the association's values and are introduced by two qualified existing members. Entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and creatives are all welcome, whatever their background.
Email nyteochew@gmail.com or call 646-285-8277 with your name, background, and why you would like to join. Membership requires an introduction from two qualified members; if you do not yet know a member, contact the association and ask about attending an open event first.
Membership dues and the application form are handled directly by the association rather than published online. Email nyteochew@gmail.com for the current fee schedule, what membership includes, and the steps to apply.
No. The association operates bilingually in English and Chinese, and this website is published in both languages. Members come from a wide range of backgrounds, and an interest in Teochew heritage matters more than fluency in the language.
Businesses can sponsor events and programmes and gain visibility with the Teochew business community in New York. 12 partner organisations currently support the association across banking, law, real estate, logistics, media, and technology. Email nyteochew@gmail.com to discuss partnership packages.
Donations fund cultural events, youth programmes, and community service. To give, or to discuss a larger gift, email nyteochew@gmail.com or call 646-285-8277. Please contact the association directly for current donation methods and any receipt or tax documentation you require.
Events to date include the April 2025 inaugural ceremony in Flushing with more than 800 guests, the 12th International Teochew Youth Convention in Kuala Lumpur, the MIT Lunar New Year gala, and the inauguration ceremonies of the New England and Hawaii Teochew associations.
Events and milestones are published on the News & Events page at https://www.teochewny.com/blog, with photographs in the gallery. An RSS feed at https://www.teochewny.com/rss.xml carries every new post. For invitations to specific events, email nyteochew@gmail.com.
The association is based at 128 Mott St, Suite 706, in Manhattan's Chinatown, New York, NY 10013. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. It is closed on Sundays.
Email nyteochew@gmail.com or call 646-285-8277. The contact page at https://www.teochewny.com/contact has a message form, office hours, and a map. The association corresponds in both English and Chinese.
Still have a question? Email nyteochew@gmail.com or call 646-285-8277.
We warmly invite ambitious young Teochew to join our family — to carry forward our heritage and write the next chapter of our story together.
