“How 30 Taiwanese Housewives Built a Better Future, One Community at a Time.”
Our Story
In life, the biggest dreams often have humble beginnings.
For the Tzu Chi Foundation, our history dates all the way back to 1966, when Buddhist Master Cheng Yen connected with 30 Taiwanese housewives who were inspired to give back to their communities, even amidst their own financial hardships.
Together, the women successfully set aside just 50 NT cents each day, leading to the formation of Tzu Chi’s renowned Bamboo Bank Era, the earliest incarnation of the foundation’s humanitarian spirit.
From there, the legacy of Tzu Chi’s Great Love was born.
Since its inception at the hands of these visionary humanitarians, Tzu Chi has evolved to become a global humanitarian organization focused on charity, medical aid, education, and disaster relief, serving 136 countries.
Tzu Chi’s Legacy on Long Island
Since settling in on Long Island, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has sought to continue its mission of providing safe, inclusive spaces for families from all backgrounds, supporting the local community through community service, medical outreach, and disaster relief efforts.
At the Long Island Education Center, individuals can access community classes for all ages, including: language classes, yoga, vegetarian cooking, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy, as well as event space rentals.
Now, with the formation of the Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool, the foundation has broadened its mission by offering a uniquely holistic education program that fosters creative play, develops lifelong learning skills, and plants seeds of good in the minds of our future leaders.
The Great Love Ethos
Dream Big, Do Good
Inspired by our own humble beginnings, we empower our students and their families to achieve their dreams and do good along the way.
Spread Kindness & Compassion
We value integrity and respect in everything we do, building the foundation for a kinder, more compassionate global community.
Never Stop Learning
We believe that education is a journey, not a destination. Our program is specifically designed to foster a lifelong love of learning with engaging lessons that ignite young minds.
Join The Great Love Family
The Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool is now welcoming students from ages 2.5 – Pre-K. Start your journey by filling out an enrollment form today.