Transitioning from Finance to Supporting Youth Housing in Taiwan

I distinctly recall the exact moment of revelation.

I was immersed in a study about the youth migrating to Taipei in hopes of finding work. Their depiction of feeling despondent about future prospects due to prohibitive housing costs resonated deeply with me.

The despair encapsulated in 'hopeless' was profound and deeply touching, stirring a sadness within me.

Reflecting back to my beginnings at Citibank when I was thirty, such overwhelming desolation did not exist.

In our days, even though housing was not dirt cheap, it was considerably more attainable.

Over the decades, property values have skyrocketed while income increments lagged far behind.

I reached out to Andy Chang, who manages the nonprofit ‘Believe in Next Generation,’ which I established, and shared, 'It's time we address this issue.'

Initiating Affordable Housing for Young Individuals

In the throes of the pandemic in 2021, after stepping down from my role at Fidelity Taiwan, we embarked on an ambitious project.

We commenced by locating habitable apartments and paired them with young dwellers. For that initial year, I personally funded a quarter of the rental costs—totaling approximately 500,000 Taiwan dollars.

Currently, we manage ten youth-dedicated residences throughout Taipei. These tenants leverage governmental assistance and collaborate with landlords who consent to these arrangements due to offered tax benefits.

In return, residents engage in community-oriented initiatives.

For instance, one resident provided Japanese lessons to seniors, while another, Tseng Chih Wei, a performance artist, spearheaded theater workshops for individuals with HIV.

While some tenants execute these programs imperfectly, the aim is to furnish a platform for learning and empowerment—eschewing any notion of charity.

Finding Purpose in Community Engagement

Engagement in community service has long been a personal priority.

A visit many years ago to a bakery in Kaohsiung run by young adults with intellectual disabilities profoundly affected me.

Upon returning to Taipei, I proposed to my supervisor that we support that bakery, which they graciously agreed to.

Our backing helped establish a similar enterprise in the capital, marking the rise of one of Taiwan's pioneering social businesses.

This journey underscored a vital lesson: initiating a venture often galvanizes others to rally around your mission.

Giving Back to Community

After accumulating over three decades of experience in finance, I feel it's imperative to give back.

The financial sector not only compensated us generously but instilled a responsibility to reciprocate.

Marking my 50th year in 2011, I converted my childhood home, nestled within a military village in Taipei, into a communal hub. This renovation, priced at 2 million Taiwan dollars, became our University Café.

This space burgeoned into a focal point for informal gatherings—spanning music events, literary circles, and much more.

A significant personal shift occurred in 2017 when, while overseas, I learned from my wife about my mother's severe health condition.

I resolved on that return flight that, should she recover, I would prioritize family over career.

True to my word, after her recovery, I exited Fidelity the following year.

This allowed me invaluable years living with her, preparing her meals during the day as my wife did by night—a cherished chapter of my life, which ended with her passing last year.

The crossroads in my life were driven by familial devotion and the aspiration to uplift the upcoming generation.

Turning Point and New Horizons

In 2019, our University's Café attendees ventured on exploratory trips to Japan, witnessing firsthand citizens' initiatives post-disasters.

Their resilience inspired us to contribute significantly to our locales.

This inspired the formation of a formal group – ‘Believe in Next Generation,’ a concept coined by the youth.

Andy joined the team that year. Our paths first crossed during his interview for an internship at Fidelity—an impactful moment when his dream of journeying the Silk Road resonated deeply with me.

Though he was not selected, our fates intertwined through a study group I ran. Post his graduation, our connection rekindled, leading Andy to join our initiatives.

Extending beyond housing projects, 2023 witnessed an artist residency wherein a budding playwright crafted a narrative exploring family conflicts across generations.

This play not only captivated audiences in Taipei but transcended linguistic barriers, performing in South Korea as well.

For both the playwright and myself, this milestone embodied our dual mission—enabling global exposure for Taiwan’s youth even after stepping away from finance.

My journey has transformed but the vision remains unchanged.