Hong Kong charity helps neurodivergent people build confidence through nutrition, dance

For 33-year-old Coco Choi Pak-yin and 24-year-old Crystal Lee Wing-wai, few things bring more joy than dancing at the Hong Kong charity Love 21 Foundation.

As neurodivergent individuals, they take part in a variety of tailored nutrition and sports programmes offered by the organisation, including dance classes. Through dance, they have found a space to connect with others and express themselves, and gained the confidence to showcase their talent in public.

“Compared with before, she is much more confident and outgoing now,” Crystal’s father, Lee Tak-wai, said.

Located in San Po Kong, Love 21 was founded by CEO Jeff Rotmeyer nine years ago and supports nearly 700 members with Down’s syndrome, autism or other neurodivergent conditions. The charity is a beneficiary of the annual fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC), with its three-year partnership ending this year.

“Playing sports and getting nutritional advice are things that we all need as human beings … We believe that before we judge any human being by their ability, we first have to make sure that they have real opportunities to reach their potential,” Rotmeyer said.

The foundation offers a wide range of programmes, including nearly 1,000 classes a month and around 100 types of activities, to help members uncover their talent, develop confidence and pursue their passions.

Rotmeyer said funding from OSC had enabled Love 21 to identify serious diet-related challenges faced by some of the families it serves and offer them further nutritional and dietary support and care.

“I’ve been eating less meat and more fish and vegetables, as well as drinking more calcium-rich milk,” Crystal Lee said.

Chan Fung-hing, Choi’s mother, noticed that her daughter was now more willing to drink water and had healthier-looking skin.

While the organisation has made progress with its programmes, Rotmeyer said challenges remain to improve awareness and combat social stigma against neurodivergent people.

“This is a beautiful community who are living all around us here in Hong Kong, but they do not feel safe and accepted in our society,” he said.

Rotmeyer explained that people with neurodivergent conditions sometimes found it difficult to control their emotions or behaviour and, for many of them, stepping out into Hong Kong’s busy streets could be intimidating as they were often confronted with stares, whispers and judgment from strangers.

Carers also said taking neurodivergent people out in public could be stressful.

“It’s not that they intentionally behave that way. Sometimes they simply cannot control [their outbursts],” said Coco’s mother, Chan Fung-hing.

Rotmeyer said one of the charity’s goals was to create more opportunities for members to showcase their talent and contribute to society through public events. To this end, the organisation staged its first Celebration of Ability show in December 2025.

Crystal Lee was one of the emcees at last year’s show, which was held at Y Square in Chai Wan. Both she and Choi also took part in a dance item and are set to return to the stage this year in what Rotmeyer hopes will become an annual event.

“Watching Crystal is truly inspiring. I never imagined she could do so well and handle the pressure of hosting an event like this,” Chan said. “It’s really not easy. Even people [without disabilities] would find it challenging.”

Rotmeyer said many people in Hong Kong had never interacted with someone with a neurodivergent condition. Through the event, he hoped audiences would gain a better understanding of the abilities and potential of people with intellectual disabilities.

“We hope they will come and fill the theatre with enthusiasm and appreciation for our members’ talents,” he said.

Established by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK in 1988, OSC has raised over HK$415 million and supported more than 382 charitable projects across Hong Kong, benefiting more than 100,000 people.