News and Projects
Welcome to our News & Projects section.
This page serves as a comprehensive resource for updates on our organization’s activities and initiatives.
News reports provide objective coverage of recent events, developments, and milestones, ensuring transparency and timely communication with our stakeholders.
In contrast, project announcements offer detailed information about new and ongoing initiatives, highlighting future plans and areas of progress.
These announcements reflect our continued commitment to growth, innovation, and impact within our community.
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We invite you to explore this section regularly to stay informed about our work and the advancements we are making toward our mission.
TIFFA's Largest Public Youth Meditation & Healing Center on the East Coast
New York City, July 16, 2025 – 1:30 PM ET – A group of young volunteers wearing black T-shirts printed with the acronym “TIFFA” gathered in orderly formation in front of New York City Hall today. The atmosphere was solemn yet filled with hope. Cameras turned toward a singular figure: 14-year-old Chinese-American youth leader Jiayi Yue, representing the nonprofit organization The International Foundation of Freedom and Awareness (TIFFA). Amid applause and cheers, Jiayi announced that TIFFA will begin construction of the largest public meditation and mental healing center for youth on the U.S. East Coast.
“My name is Jiayi Yue,” she began confidently. “Today, I proudly announce the establishment of the East Coast’s largest free public meditation and mental wellness center, designed to serve youth and support emotional healing. This center will be located in the Hudson Valley, just an hour's drive from the heart of New York City, offering a peaceful yet accessible retreat for all.”
According to TIFFA’s official release, the project will span approximately 45 acres, with a total space coverage of around 1.9 million square feet. It will feature a wide range of healing and mindfulness environments, including a meditation tower, wetland meditation zone, animal-assisted therapy area, forest immersion section, and sound and music therapy zones. The site will also include public recreation areas and camping-style lodging facilities to support longer stays and immersive programs.
The center will host renowned global musicians, spiritual leaders, therapists, and mental health educators, offering free healing workshops and guided sessions for teens. Regardless of their background, youth participants will be welcomed with open arms—TIFFA’s guiding principle is to help young people reconnect with society, cultivate self-awareness, and find a healthy, empowered path forward.
Jiayi Yue herself is no stranger to the challenges of growing up as a child of immigrants. Born into a Chinese-American family, her early experiences in U.S. schools were marked by cultural alienation and bullying.
“Discrimination and bullying can happen to anyone, at any time, in any place,” she said.But rather than retreat, Jiayi chose to lead—founding TIFFA as a way to support youth who share similar struggles. Through her leadership, TIFFA has already made significant local impact.
Recently, Jiayi partnered with the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes to launch a youth-focused initiative called “CARE”. The program has directly and indirectly supported hundreds of young people across New York City, helping them regain emotional footing and social connection.
“This project didn’t just help others—it healed me, too,” Jiayi shared. “Together with the Mayor’s Office, we created a safe, accepting environment where youth are encouraged to value their mental well-being. Whether it’s hate, bias, or emotional stress, we believe the right space and guidance can lead to true healing.”
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Assemblymember Brian Cunningham addressed the crowd with the following statement:
“I’ve spoken with families and experts across New York State about the mental health challenges facing today’s youth, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the urgent need for stronger support. In this legislative session, my office, in partnership with Senator Bailey, passed a bill authorizing the Commissioner of Mental Health to evaluate and enhance how mobile crisis units engage with adolescents. As a member of the State Assembly, I am proud to see New York City establishing a safe and welcoming space where young people can seek support without fear of stigma. This center will serve as a pioneering model that helps youth develop digital literacy, emotional resilience, and access to healing conversations—laying the foundation for lifelong mental wellness.”
With increasing support from community organizations, religious groups, educational institutions, and local businesses, TIFFA’s ambitious construction plan is set to unfold over the next five years. Jiayi remains hopeful and determined.
“I wholeheartedly believe we can create a sanctuary for healing on the edge of this noisy city. This center is more than just a physical space—it’s a response to the emotional and spiritual needs of an entire generation. We welcome people from all walks of life to join us in building this space of hope and transformation—for New York's youths and for its future”