Taiwan’s Salvation Corps is not just about eating, drinking, and having fun; it’s more about helping young people broaden their horizons and establish traditional ethical and cultural values and life perspectives. With this belief in mind, the Taiwan Salvation Corps is slowly making its way to the world and has established “Friends of Salvation Corps Associations” in multiple locations in the United States.
On May 23 (Thursday), Dr. Ge Yongguang, the Director General of the Youth Salvation Corps Headquarters, and his team arrived at the YK America in El Monte, where they presented a flag and certification to the “Friends of Salvation Corps Association Los Angeles Branch” (referred to as the American Friends Association Los Angeles Branch).
Dr. Ge Yongguang presented appointment letters to the first President of the Los Angeles Youth Salvation Corps Friends Association, Qiu Qiyi, Vice President Yang Xianyi, and Committee Member Chen Guidong. He also presented an artwork created by the renowned Taiwanese artist Yan Shengzhe.
“First and foremost, congratulations on the establishment of the Salvation Corps Los Angeles Friends Association,” Dr. Ge Yongguang said. “The most important thing is to provide more opportunities for young people to interact, enhance their perspectives, and stimulate creativity. I believe this will greatly benefit individuals and Taiwanese society.”
The youth years are the golden age in everyone’s life, a crucial time for acquiring knowledge, building relationships, enhancing physical fitness, and establishing traditional moral values. Upholding the concept of “Serving society, serving youth,” the Taiwan Salvation Corps, founded by Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo, has walked nearly 72 years till today.
In recent years, the Salvation Corps has actively created international platforms to help young people develop a global perspective.
Qiu Qiyi told reporters that the branch will focus on charity and service aspects in the future. “Based on the concept of ‘Today we serve the youth, tomorrow the youth serves the country,’ we aim to combine the expertise of scholars and the overall strength of society to help young people grow and develop.”
With the establishment of the new branch in Los Angeles, they will soon host visits from anime and fantasy animation personnel to the United States, as well as arrange for students and faculty from a prominent Taiwanese medical technology university to participate in a summer research program to visit the largest healthcare group and elderly healthcare center in the United States.
“We will also utilize various local organizations to allow young people to spend their summer vacations exploring Asian countries, including Taiwan, to experience diverse cultures,” he said.
During the event, witnesses including the Chairman of YK America and member of the Friends Association Lu Shunxing, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health at the U.S. Federal Department and Director of the Minority Ethnic Office Dr. Lin Yuanching, and several local community leaders, witnessed the establishment of the branch.
Through changing times and various challenges, the Salvation Corps, carrying the youth of several generations, has gradually shaped into four major missions of “public welfare, education, service, and health,” continuously serving society.
During summer and winter breaks, the Salvation Corps holds various activities to lead young people in experiencing adventure and exploration in nature, living in outdoor environments, and learning communication and tolerance within teams.
In 1998, in line with the government’s “Lifelong Learning Year,” the Salvation Corps promoted lifelong education, established lifelong learning venues, and provided a series of social education and study activities for people of all backgrounds.
Dr. Ge Yongguang said: “The Salvation Corps is also a group based on love; with over 30,000 volunteers who engage in numerous charitable activities every week and month, caring for vulnerable groups.”
He also recognized that due to the generation gap, today’s youth are quite different from previous generations, with many young people unable to withstand societal pressures, becoming part of the intolerant “strawberry generation.” Therefore, he hopes that the Salvation Corps can bring enduring changes for young people.
“I hope they can learn positive values and life perspectives from Salvation Corps activities,” he said. “As Dr. Sun Yat-sen said, ‘Morality is the basis of a nation.’ A country without morality will not last long, and a society without morality will soon crumble. So, to build a morally upright country and society, we must start with the youth.”
He also encourages overseas youth to participate in activities like the “English Service Camp” to promote mutual learning and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s language and culture.
Based in Taipei, Taiwan, the Salvation Corps officially entered the “Year of Dream-Building” in 2024. Besides Los Angeles, branches have been established in Washington State, Washington D.C., Houston, and Dallas.
In the upcoming week, Dr. Ge Yongguang will visit various locations to present flags, certifications, and appointment letters to enhance international exchange and cooperation.