Andrew Chong

As regional director (West) for Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited, I lead a group of youth workers and volunteers in caring for the wholistic health of young people—mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Across the North Shore, Vancouver, and Richmond, our region has created a myriad of partnerships with local schools, government, churches, businesses, and community organizations.

Part of my role is being on the ground in North Vancouver, a place near and dear to my heart, as I was born and raised in Lynn Valley; one of my first ever projects with Youth Unlimited on the North Shore, back in 2013, was creating a lunchtime floor hockey league at my former high school, Sutherland Secondary.

As a follower of Jesus, it is ingrained in my Christian faith to serve and lift up all people, regardless of religion, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, physical and mental ability, national origin, and political ideology.

I love bringing people together, helping young people see their potential, and creating spaces that lead to transformation. You can usually find me meeting youth at North Shore coffee shops. Four times a week, I get to chat with students at our Mobile Youth Drop-In (an ’82 Winnebago RV) in various school communities. I also consult with young leaders on North Vancouver’s CityFest, and participate alongside youth in cross-cultural experiences like The Elevation Experience in Rwanda.

I live in Central Lonsdale with my wife, Jennifer – a charge nurse in the emergency department – and our son, Jasper. We have two adopted dogs, MILO and Boessy. In my past life, I covered the Vancouver Canucks for ESPN SportsTicker and was editor of HockeyNow magazine.