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CFS’s Lala Café Series: Befriending Stress
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Events

CFS’s Lala Café Series: Befriending Stress

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CFS’s Lala Café is an employee engagement series for everyone at CFS to learn, socialise and rejuvenate.

For the October edition of LaLa Café, we had the pleasure of having Chai Lee Fong, a consultant at Lifeskills Institute, Joyce Tan, a clinical dietitian, and Liew Wei Yong, a fitness coach to share with us practical tips and advice on how to “Befriend Stress & Build Cognitive Fitness Through Diet and Strength”.

Lee Fong first led us through an engaging discussion on what is stress, and how to deal effectively with it. She shared that potential daily stressors could trigger 2 types of stress: acute stress vs chronic stress. Acute stress, being the stress we experience due to a sudden calamity befallen upon us or a temporary event, triggers in us a “fight, flight, freeze” response to stress. On the other hand, chronic stress is worse in that one could experience buildup of such stress, or to put it in Lee Fong’s words, the “drip drip drip effect” and hence cause burnout.

Lee Fong shared several stress management methods such as adopting a positive mindset. This could result in 3 key advantages, namely: growth, resilience and strength in us on the whole. She advocated that for every event, with a positive outlook, we could then cope better. For example, she suggested to view the pandemic from another lens, as something that previous generations have not had the chance to experience, and with this whole new light, it did seem like it was something special rather than catastrophic, proving that her method of taking on a positive view worked! She accentuated to all of us that stress can cause damage to the brain, such as the hippocampus. 

After Lee Fong’s wonderful sharing, we learnt more from Joyce who shared about nutrition and mental health.

Joyce shared in-depth knowledge on the different types of fat and sugars to avoid to prevent ourselves from going on a blood sugar rollercoaster, some hidden within our food and even our sauces! Many of us jumped at the chance and bombarded her with questions on what oils to use, whether plant-based milk was a better choice etc. She patiently answered all our questions and enlightened us on the truths behind certain myths such as brown rice and whole meal grains. 

She also shared more about one thing many working adults are obsessed with – coffee! Mainly she shared alternatives to sugars we could use in our coffee, such as Stevia, and advised against aspartame, as it is an artificial sweetener that could trick our tongue but not our brain. 

The session ended off with a live fitness demo by Wei Yong, who showed us numerous core exercises we could easily do at home using a chair or against a wall, as strengthening our core would benefit our strength and resilience as a whole and improve our brain health. She also demonstrated a few stretching exercises that would benefit us after sitting in front of the computer for long periods of time, which many of us were thankful and applauded her for. 

CFS takes pride in supporting our employees’ mental health and overall wellness, and supports mental health funds such as Mind The Gap 200. 

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Events

Improving Employability: Creating Opportunities for All

In Singapore’s vibrant economy, employment is a key driver of social mobility and well-being. However, some groups face unique challenges in securing and maintaining meaningful work. At the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), we recognise the importance of creating pathways to employment for all members of our community. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, CFS is working to enhance employability and open doors of opportunity for those who need it most.

Group photo: The team behind Bettr Academy and Assumption Pathway School, empowering individuals through skills training and support

In Singapore’s vibrant economy, employment is a key driver of social mobility and well-being. However, some groups face unique challenges in securing and maintaining meaningful work. At the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), we recognise the importance of creating pathways to employment for all members of our community. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, CFS is working to enhance employability and open doors of opportunity for those who need it most.

We invited donors to Bettr Group’s new space to learn more about three impactful initiatives offered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Bettr Group, and Assumption Pathway School (APS). These initiatives are making a positive impact on the lives of Singapore citizens and residents by promoting skills development, workplace inclusion, and supportive environments.

Uplifting Lower-Income Families: The ComLink+ Progress Package on Employment by MSF

The Collective for a Stronger Society seeks to empower lower-income families living in rental flats through multiple domains of support

The ComLink+ Progress Package on Employment by MSF is designed to help lower-income families in Singapore achieve financial stability and social mobility. Through financial support and dedicated family coaches, the programme fosters stable employment and creates a foundation for long-term economic independence. This holistic approach addresses the financial challenges faced by these families and empowers them to achieve self-reliance and improved quality of life, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more resilient society.

This programme is part of the Collective for a Stronger Society initiative by CFS, which aims to offer a coordinated series of cross-sector programmes and initiatives to uplift, enable, and empower lower-income families.

Ensuring No Student is Left Behind: Stepping Stones Programme by Assumption Pathway School

Mr Stephen Chin, Principal of Assumption Pathway School, shares a moment of joy and reflection with graduates of the Stepping Stones Programme.

The Stepping Stones Programme by Assumption Pathway School (APS) provides skills training and employment pathways for those who fail their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). This six-year programme equips students with the essential skills and knowledge needed for stable employment. The curriculum includes literacy, numeracy, health and fitness, baking, culinary arts, facility services, hospitality services, and co-curricular activities (CCA). The first four years focus on building confidence and character through foundational vocational skills, while the final two years offer advanced vocational training and work-study opportunities, preparing students who are unable to progress to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) for the workforce.

Eriq, a beneficiary of the APS Stepping Stones Programme, reflected on his journey. “I was one of the most troublesome students at APS. There was a point when I nearly dropped out because my attendance was so poor,” he admitted. However, with the support and encouragement from APS teachers, he realised the need for change. 

“In my third year, I recognised that I couldn’t keep going down the same path. I was dealing with many family issues, and my teachers were always there to listen. Gradually, I started attending school regularly and noticed improvements in my performance.” Eriq joined APS in 2018 and, after overcoming these challenges, successfully graduated this year. He is now enrolled in ITE. 

The Stepping Stones Programme profoundly impacts students like Eriq, especially those from lower-income families. By providing structured pathways for skills training and employment, the programme keeps at-risk students engaged in education, helps them develop essential life skills, and overcome socio-economic barriers, leading to better life outcomes.

This programme is also part of the Collective for a Stronger Society initiative by CFS.

Empowering Vulnerable Youths and Mothers: The Bettr Holistic Training Programme

Ms Tay Suyin, Assistant Director at Bettr Academy, reflects on the ongoing support received from CFS over the years and how the Bettr Holistic Training Programme has positively impacted their beneficiaries.

The Bettr Holistic Training Programme is supported by the Community Foundation of Singapore’s LIFT Community Impact Fund. It supports disadvantaged individuals, including youths and young mothers. The comprehensive training includes coffee-making and F&B skills, mental and emotional resilience, physical fitness, and employment readiness, culminating in a 7-week work experience with employment partners.

Inarah, a beneficiary of the programme, struggled with anxiety and depression during her early teens, which impacted her school life. Encouraged by a friend, she decided to try working as a barista and joined the Bettr Holistic Training Programme. “The programme helped me build confidence and learn to express myself. If not for Bettr, I wouldn’t be able to speak up and share my journey like I’m doing today,” she said. Now, Inarah is a cheerful and welcoming presence at The Social Space, thriving both professionally and personally. Her story is a testament to the life-changing impact of the Bettr Holistic Programme, which continues to empower individuals like her to overcome their challenges and build a brighter future.

Join Us in Creating Opportunities for All

CFS is committed to improving employability and creating opportunities for our community. By supporting programmes like the ComLink+ Progress Package on Employment, the Assumption Pathway School Stepping Stones Programme, and the Bettr Holistic Training Programme, we can make a tangible difference to the lives of marginalised individuals and families.

We invite you to join us in this important work. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about these initiatives, your support can help us continue to create pathways to employment and build a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Get in touch: https://cf.org.sg/contact/get-in-touch/

Events

Giving through the generations

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Increasingly, individuals and family businesses are consciously looking at ways to create positive social impact through philanthropy – but in today’s world, what does creating a legacy mean from divergent perspectives, from individuals to families, from parent to child?

Last November, the CRIB x CFS Legacy and Impact cocktail event brought two prominent families, with extensive histories of giving, together with philanthropists and social capital investors to reflect upon these questions.

Moderated by Patsian Low, the panelists included Richard Eu, Chairman of Eu Yan Sang and his daughter Rebecca; and Keith Chua, Executive Chairman of ABR Holdings (and CFS board member), and his daughter Sharon.

To kick off the evening, Catherine Loh, CEO of the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), reflected upon the challenge facing families today. “When it comes to creating a family legacy, it’s about understanding how to bridge the different concerns and interests of each generation, and trying to align giving to key values,” she commented.

While members of the older generation might be more focused on passing on family values, Catherine observed, the younger generation is keen to explore new approaches to giving. “Many of our next generation donors have a strong social consciousness and feel they don’t need to wait until they’re richer, older and retired to start thinking about giving back,” she said.

Though her family has traditionally supported education and healthcare, Rebecca Eu struck a chord when she shared how she started social enterprise Love, Mei in a vastly different field, helping victims of human trafficking in the Phillipines. “I don’t think legacy is limited to your blood ties,” she proposed, “Instead, legacy moves on with the project you adopt and the people that you work with.”

Reflecting today’s shift towards strategic philanthropy, Sharon Chua shared how her professional experience with philanthropy advisory has empowered her to become a better steward of her family’s wealth. “I learnt how to evaluate impact, the sustainability of projects, and how to forage good partnerships, and that helps with my own family’s philanthropy. I’ve always believed philanthropy is something you need to be personally engaged and committed to,” she shared.

One audience member posed a question to both fathers on how they would manage their children’s future giving decisions to avoid conflict.

Richard espoused offering broad guidelines to one’s children and suggested “storytelling” as a way of passing on family values. “When your family is used to hearing stories, such as why your great grandfather did certain things, it becomes ingrained in your family’s DNA. The legacy you leave behind is not about having a building or place named after you, but the lives that you impact.”

Keith reflected on his role as a trustee for the giving of earlier generations, and proposed older family members play a key role in “setting mechanisms in place” for the next generation.

Keith said, “CFS provided us with an avenue to create a fund to leave something behind for the next generation and share it with our wider family. Under this structure, the funds will carry on for a certain period of time. Once you’ve set certain things in place, you can bring the next generation along for the ride, and trust them with the responsibility when it’s their turn.”

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Opinion

Four ways to give back through the arts

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To put things into perspective: giving to the arts means more than just supporting a company’s artistic endeavours – support for the arts helps build a more inclusive society and brings benefits to the community in many ways.

Many of Singapore’s artists, art companies and institutions are passionate about social causes, and make it part of their mission to give back through the work they do. These efforts often go beyond cultivating art appreciation, to include efforts to reach out to the less privileged, nurture the young and bring the joy of the arts to a wider audience.

To help navigate the dynamic field of the arts, we have identified key areas in which the arts is making strides within the local community:

Arts education
An arts education is considered vital in helping children develop creativity and imagination – key skills to thrive in the future economy. These efforts can be bolstered by supporting spaces for early arts exposure, such as the Keppel Centre for Art Education at the National Gallery Singapore, or access to dedicated arts training and programmes as exemplified by The Rice CompanyArt Outreach Singapore and Playeum.

Alongside their artistic season, many local arts companies have also developed outreach programmes for children and youths, including Singapore Repertory TheatreThe Necessary StageOdyssey Dance TheatreThe Fingers PlayersThe Theatre PracticeTheatreWorks and Temenggong Artists-In-Residence.

Active aging
Empowering our seniors to lead meaningful, active lives is a priority for Singapore, and the arts can play a significant role. Events such as the National Arts Council’s Silver Arts Festival have demonstrated how the arts offer seniors a safe space to try new activities, and also a platform to engage their minds through enjoying a performance or work of art, as exemplified by Beautiful Mind Charity which runs free concerts at various elderly homes. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra plays to patients and healthcare workers in hospitals and care centres through its ‘Caring Series’ to provide the healing touch through music.

Others like contemporary dance outfit The Arts Fission Company have channelled art towards practical benefits. The company runs Everyday Waltzes for Active Aging, a programme which utilises movement to help the elderly maintain strong core muscles and reduce their risk of falling.

Mental health
In some instances, the arts contributes to the mental health of different segments of our society by helping to recognise and bring deep issues to light. Take for instance theatre company Drama Box, which develops theatrical work mirroring our social fabric. The company has worked with many marginalised and underserved groups, including migrant workers, out-of-school youths and the elderly, and continues to use theatre to explore important social issues from mental health, dying, resilience and identity.

Special needs
The arts celebrates the value of every human being, making it a natural fit when it comes to engaging individuals with special needs and disabilities. Superhero Me, a ground-up inclusive arts movement turned charity, has been championing the power of art to bring joy and empowerment to children from needy families and those with special needs.

Arts companies can also use their expertise to give back. Contemporary dance company RAW Moves runs A Little RAW, an inclusive children’s dance company bringing dance to children with special needs, while Beautiful Mind Charity has been offering free professional music education to children with disabilities since 2014.

Photo: National Arts Council

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News

护联中心新设135万元基金 打造更“好玩”乐龄护理

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如何鼓励年长者更积极地投入社交,活出精彩的老年生活?护联中心推出新的135万元基金“FUN! Fund”,鼓励业者把“好玩”融入乐龄护理计划。

配合11月1日的社区护理日,护联中心星期五(11月4日)举办社区护理领导系列,并在活动宣布推出新基金。

“FUN! Fund”由护联中心和新加坡社区基金会联合成立,致力于改善乐龄人士所面对的社交孤立现象,进而提升他们的身心健康。

社区护理业者可呈交计划书,提出创新的活动点子来带动乐龄人士的情绪,鼓励他们积极尝试新事物。例如,太和观庙弯活跃乐龄站推出“虚拟游乐场”,通过高科技系统和怀旧元素的“新旧”结合,带给乐龄人士别具特色的玩乐体验。

每项计划可获得高达五万元的资助款项。

除了成立基金,护联中心和新加坡社区基金会接下来三年也将在社区护理的四大方面展开合作,分别为:活跃乐龄、环境和社区空间、人力和业务连续性。

阅读更多:Fun! Fund

信用:联合早报©新报业媒体有限公司。复制需要许可

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