Ares Foundation Donation Ceremony
Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
This proverb was repeatedly mentioned at the donation ceremony hosted by the Ares Charitable Foundation on December 12, 2024.
The JOBB Vocational Empowerment Program (Jeunesse of Bakers & Baristas), co-initiated by Ruifeng Nonprofit and the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, uses high-value baking skills as the "fishing rod." It aims to empower marginalized groups—including students with disabilities, youth from border regions, and urban disadvantaged communities—by equipping them with technical skills and accompanying them on their professional journeys. Since the training began in September, it has already witnessed remarkable progress and achievements among the students.
On Thursday, December 12, Ruifeng Nonprofit participated in the Ares Charitable Foundation donation ceremony at the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Following extensive discussions and negotiations, all parties reached a consensus. Ares Charitable Foundation committed to supporting the vocational empowerment program through financial donations and volunteer services by their employees.
Mr. Huang Zhengqian, Head of Ares Asia Pacific and Partner, and Ms. Zhu Yaping, Assistant Secretary-General of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, jointly launched the dedicated fund.
“Helping one child is helping an entire family.”
Sui Wei, Managing Director of Ares, remarked that from its inception, the Ares Charitable Foundation has focused on providing equitable access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities for underprivileged and resource-limited communities to unlock their potential. This mission aligns closely with the values and goals of the JOBB program. He expressed his hope to contribute to expanding the program's impact, helping more children and families.
The first session of the JOBB program in 2024 has already reached its midpoint. Two special students, Shi Yunyun and Chen Jingyu, attended the event to share their experiences from the past two months. Compared to their shy and uncertain demeanor at the beginning, both students now appeared much more outgoing and confident.
“It takes me an hour and a half to get here, but I don’t feel it’s hard. I’ve learned how to take the subway on my own and can now commute to Ruifeng by myself.”
To master French baking skills within a short period, the three special students, along with others, attend training sessions five days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM. Despite living far away, Shi Yunyun, Chen Jingyu, and Teng Xiongzhen commute across Shanghai daily, spending nearly three hours on transportation.
Perhaps their time at JOBB has shown them the possibility of building a completely new life.
“The teachers here are very patient and teach with great care.”
While the three special students progress slightly slower than their peers, their dedication is extraordinary. They often practice repeatedly and memorize steps during their spare time until they achieve proficiency. At the beginning of the program, they believed the number 5 was greater than 7. Now, they can independently calculate the precise quantities of ingredients for complex bread recipes.
A heartfelt thank you to the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation for trusting Ruifeng Nonprofit!
And a special thanks to the Ares Charitable Foundation for recognizing and generously supporting the JOBB program!