“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” - Steve Jobs
This inspirational quote is one of Eric Cheuk’s favourites and encapsulates his time with the Social Diversity for Children Foundation. Since joining SDC in 2019, Eric has made tremendous contributions to Social Diversity for Children’s Foundation. Starting from when he was a program volunteer, to an outreach committee director, and now as Vice President–Projects and a Board Director on the Once Upon a Shine Gala Committee. The Person of the Month Award was designed to recognize people who have made significant and impactful contributions. During his extensive time as a part of the Social Diversity for Children Foundation Eric has shown consistent dedication, effort and willingness to go above and beyond to help the community.
Born in Richmond, Eric Cheuk attended Hugh Boyd Secondary School and after graduating in 2020, he began his studies at the University of British Columbia studying Pharmacology in the Faculty of Medicine. Eric enjoys spending his days studying at bubble tea shops. When he’s not looking for new bubble tea spots, Eric often trains for his next marathon run. Deeply intertwined with his community, Eric is passionate about advocating for youth inclusion and generating new opportunities for youth engagement while serving as director on his community boards.
Through his community involvement, Eric met the President of the Social Diversity for Children’s Foundation, David Wang. Subsequently, Eric Cheuk joined the SDC family in 2019 after hearing SDC’s core values and mission to empower youth. Many unforgettable memories were forged while working with others to coordinate programs and plan projects. Eric has contributed numerous hours of effort and work to see projects through to the end and make his endeavours successful.
Working diligently as a Program Manager in the programs department, he able to increase the registration rate by over twenty-fold, reaching the highest turnout rate for the programs thus far. Especially through struggling times in the COVID-19 Pandemic, SDC is working hard to support and provide help to families and their children. In his time with SDC, Eric has worked on major projects such as the 2021 and 2022 Once Upon a Shine Gala (Vancouver’s largest charity event of 2021) raising over $400,000 and $700,000 respectively. Eric has also led projects such as the donating of PPE to long-term care facilities during the pandemic as well as coordinating the delivery and donate of over $200,000 in clothing to children with disabilities across China. Moreover, Eric has organized and delivered over 1,000 art supply packages to children with disabilities in BBM art programs, worked to secure funding and sponsorships to keep these after-school programs running, and mentored many SDC Youth Team members–helping shape our future leaders in empowering children with disabilities. We are excited to continue working with Eric Cheuk and see all the exciting projects he will bring in the future.
Grateful for the experience and learning opportunities he has encountered since joining the Social Diversity for Children’s Foundation, Eric thanks the entire programs and gala committee team for their work in making the programs a huge success. “SDC has offered me an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I would not trade for anything else.” Eric Cheuk loves working with a team of amazing people which makes his work fun and fulfilling as well as interacting with participants and hearing their heartwarming stories from families across the lower mainland and across the world.
