About Us
Cultural Education Center for the Whole Family
Tzu Chi Long Island Education Center:
Learning, Wellness, Culture, and Sustainability
Do you ever feel stressed and disconnected? In today’s world, finding an authentic sense of community is tough. With our fast-paced lives, we rarely have time to slow down and focus on the present, let alone immerse ourselves in activities that bring us joy.
But the Tzu Chi Long Island Education Center is changing that. We’ve built a shared space for growth, learning, and well-being, and you’re invited to join us.
Our Mission
To promote physical and mental well-being, advocate for environmentally-friendly lifestyles, provide a platform for lifelong learning and cultural exchange, and nurture compassionate, wise, and globally-minded community citizens.
Our Story
Our parent organization, Tzu Chi, was born with the vision to make the local community a better place for everyone. From bright-eyed preschoolers to seniors looking to age in place, Tzu Chi has been serving with compassion for over half a century. It all started in 1966, when Dharma Master Cheng Yen established the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien, an impoverished rural county of Taiwan.
The devout Buddhist nun was moved by the misery and pain she saw around her and made a powerful aspiration to relieve suffering and help the poor. She joined forces with five female disciples and 30 housewives. To fund their charity, the women made and sold baby shoes, saving up a few cents of their grocery money each day.
From these humble origins, Tzu Chi now has over 10 million volunteers worldwide and has provided relief aid to 136 countries and areas.
The Tzu Chi Long Island Branch has been serving the Long Island community for over 30 years, from bi-weekly food pantries to Chinese language classes at its Academy. Now, we’re looking to redouble our efforts through new programs at Tzu Chi Long Island Education Center.
What We Offer
Our Core Values
At our cultural education center, everything we do is anchored in the following guiding principles:
Community
We don’t divide generations, we unite them – from children to parents and grandparents.
We are proud to nurture connection in a shared space for growth and joy.
Education
Inspiring the next generation through bilingual preschool education. Making it easy and effortless to enrich your life through education and lifelong learning.
Lifestyle
Simplify your life in a space that is all about kindness, inclusion, and fun. We provide a central space for holistic wellness, from physical well-being to mental health.
Join the Community Today
When you visit the education center for the first time, you can expect to be treated like family. We offer a warm, easygoing space where you can take a breath, connect at your own pace, and relish in the simple joy of community.