“It is never too early to start making a difference, and when you take that first step, always remember to listen before you act.”
Bill Zheng
2025 Top 30 Under 30
About
AGE: 21
PRONOUNS: He/Him
HOMETOWN: Xiamen, Fujian, China
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Calgary, AB
ORGANIZATIONS:
- RadiCalgary Society – Calgary Pop-Up Care Village
- RadiCare Ventures
- Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA)
- SafeLink Alberta
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
I am most passionate about:
What specific issue(s) are you working to address, and what motivates you to do so?
I am deeply committed to addressing the intersection of poverty, homelessness, addiction, public safety, and criminal justice. My work is driven by a vision to make Calgary a more compassionate city and explore alternatives to law enforcement and security in responding to mental health, addiction, and homelessness-related crises.
Over the past three years, I have worked in various roles that have provided unique perspectives on these interconnected issues. At 18, I joined the Calgary Drop-In Centre as the youngest shelter staff member at the time. At the same time, I worked as a systems navigator and harm reduction outreach worker at SafeLink Alberta, conducting street outreach and connecting individuals using substances to resources and housing. Additionally, I worked in hospital security, particularly in psychiatric emergency departments, and I provided security in parks and inner-city parking facilities. These experiences allowed me to understand the perspectives of law enforcement, security, social services, and healthcare, all while shaping my approach as a nursing student focused on community health and improving social determinants of health.
In 2022, I co-founded the Calgary Pop-Up Care Village (C-PUCV), a placemaking initiative that invites individuals experiencing systemic vulnerabilities to Olympic Plaza to access vital community resources. This festival offers free food, music, and services such as haircuts, massage therapy, and photo booths, creating a safe space for community connection. To date,
C-PUCV has hosted four events, growing to welcome over 700 guests and 50 partner organizations at its last gathering. Recognized by the City of Calgary as a major safety initiative, the festival fosters healing and provides individuals with a rare opportunity to escape survival mode and experience dignity, joy, and inclusion.
In 2023, inspired by conversations with community members, I co-founded RadiCare Ventures, a certified social enterprise addressing Calgary’s visible and invisible social disorder issues while providing employment opportunities for individuals with barriers to working. RadiCare hires and trains staff to compassionately and empathetically engage with vulnerable populations, taking on tasks such as addressing public drug use, vandalism, and graffiti. Since launching, RadiCare has grown from five to 18 staff members, securing contracts across multiple Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). As of January 9, 2025, we became the official washroom attendants for The Open, a new public washroom facility in East Village, through a partnership with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC).
I am also the youngest board member of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), where I advocate for merchants and residents to enhance infrastructure, vibrancy, cleanliness, and safety in the community. As a proud Chinatown resident, I am honored to contribute to its growth and resilience. My expertise in safety and cleanliness has enriched board discussions and supported alignment with Calgary’s greater downtown strategy.
Through these initiatives, I aim to build a city where safety and compassion coexist, and where vulnerable individuals are met with respect, opportunity, and understanding.
What is your foundation?
My foundation is rooted in navigating social and health services from a young age. Growing up in relative poverty, my family relied on low-income support, with my mom accessing Alberta’s Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). My dad sacrificed his career growth to care for our family, often driving my mom and grandparents to medical appointments.
When I was 17 years old in 2021, my mom was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. I stepped up as her primary caregiver, confronting systemic gaps in social and health services firsthand. During my mother’s dying journey, I made sure she lived a good quality of life until she took her last breath in May of 2022,just after I turned 18. I was able to channel the emotion of grief into contributing back to the community that supported me during that challenging time.
My grandparents, who raised me, were my backbone. They encouraged me to challenge myself and experiment, which led me to immerse myself in the homelessness and addiction sector at 18. I was drawn to advocating for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves. Instead of rushing to solutions, I listened, conducted research, toured agencies, and learned about government roles. These experiences quickly made me one of the most connected individuals in Calgary’s homelessness and addictions sector, enabling me to launch the Calgary Pop-Up Care Village (C-PUCV) and RadiCare Ventures.
Today, my motivation comes from witnessing the tangible impacts of my work. RadiCare employs 18 individuals from diverse backgrounds, and their stories inspire me daily. I’ve influenced initiatives like a compassionate washroom attendant program and Chinatown Business Improvement Area’s humane safety strategies. The ability to shape decisions that were once out of reach fuels my dedication. I am driven by the belief that meaningful change is possible when compassion and advocacy guide action.
What is your vision for the future?
My vision for the future is a world where compassion drives societal systems, and preventable social challenges—such as addiction, homelessness, and mental health struggles—are significantly reduced. Many of these issues stem from intergenerational trauma and adverse childhood experiences, which research has shown have lasting impacts. I aspire to work upstream in public policy, creating systemic changes that promote healthy child development and prevent these issues before they arise.
At the same time, I am passionate about integrating people back into the workforce and society. My work with RadiCare Ventures reflects this vision, as we provide opportunities for individuals with criminal justice involvement to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Seeing individuals rebuild their lives inspires me and reinforces my belief in the transformative power of second chances.
I measure the value of my work through tangible outcomes. Currently, this is visible at the local level, but my long-term goal is to influence change at the provincial and federal levels. True success will come when governments shift their focus and resources toward prevention rather than reactive solutions.
Ultimately, I aim to contribute to a world where individuals are met with compassion, and systems are designed to empower people rather than merely address problems after they occur. By giving others opportunities to thrive and advocating for systemic change, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and the communities they belong to.
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