Throughout his career and personal experiences, Allen Chi has held a strong support of educational initiatives in a variety of fields and industries.
Teacher’s Village
In Newark, New Jersey, the local school department began to suffer at the hands of the city’s increased cost of living. Young people starting families and recent college graduates seeking careers in education were straying away from the city for that reason. To combat this issue, Teacher’s Village was born. Teacher’s Village is a living and learning community centered in the heart of Newark. The community is mapped out across a mixed-use lot which takes up five blocks downtown in the city. Hoping to attract educators and families to the area, Teacher’s Village maintains 204 residential units and 65,000 square feet of retail space. The lot seeks to breathe new meaning into the one stop shop concept. Centered around an education focus, the Village has three charter schools and a daycare, all within an incredibly short commute from the homes of Teacher’s Village residents. This allows for a more productive timeline as educators are able to spend more time maintaining after-school activities and programs for the students.
Allen Chi is a proud supporter of Teacher’s Village’s innovative approach to tackling the increased cost of living issue. In the project’s earliest stages, Chi actively supported the endeavor as he regularly seeks out opportunities to support education charities.
Chess
As a child, Allen Chi loved chess. The game has turned into a lifelong passion of his. In his childhood, he saw the game as a direct benefit to his strategic mind. The IQ-increasing benefits of chess have been widely discussed across various communities from gaming to psychology and beyond. To this day, Allen Chi cites his early childhood love of chess as having a positive impact on his success in school. He believes that chess should be a common activity in elementary school classrooms. With a focus on strategic planning and tactical skills, the game of chess offers a unique opportunity in terms of learning and mental development.
Allen Chi has attended various mathematics and science-centered events in elementary and middle schools across the United States to discuss his educational view on chess. He also visits local senior centers to promote the game of chess because he genuinely believes that regular engagement in the game can help to combat Alzheimer’s disease and memory issues that come with age. He has recommended the online resource Chesscademy to individuals of all ages. Chesscademy, in Allen Chi’s opinion, is an excellent tool for making use of the benefits chess can have on one’s brain activity and health.
Stanford
Allen Chi is a proud alumnus of the prestigious Stanford University. Maintaining a modest acceptance rate of only 5%, enrollment at Stanford is a coveted goal of academics both nationally and internationally. Although he is not a recent graduate of the University, Allen Chi continues his relationship with the institution by engaging in volunteer efforts backed by Stanford. Alumni of Stanford University participate in volunteer opportunities such as:
- Community-based Charity
- Regional Clubs and the Beyond the Farm Service program
- Classmate Continuity hosting events to benefit fellow alumni
- Student Mentorship
- Stanford and the Arts
- Cantor Arts Center, Stanford Live and the Stanford Historical Society
- Non-clinical Hospital Volunteering
- Stanford Hospitals and Clinics and Packard Children’s Hospital
Kidspace
Since 1994, children’s museum Kidspace has hosted an annual Pumpkin Festival. The event initially started as a safe alternative to the trick-or-treating activity enjoyed by children on Halloween night. Today, the Pumpkin Festival has established itself as a solid stand-alone two day event, drawing in an attendance of over 20,000 people every single year. Activities at the event include:
- Pumpkin Picking @ the Pumpkin Patch
- Petting Zoo (Farm Animal Lessons)
- Bouncy House Games
- Carnival Games
- Arts & Crafts
- Pony Rides
- Entertainment & Performances
Admission to the event is free for children and their families. This is made possible by volunteer efforts and direct donations to Kidspace. Allen Chi proudly supports Kidspace and the great success of Pumpkin Festival.
