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Improving Employability: Creating Opportunities for All
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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

CFS representative sharing about the ComLink+ Progress Package on Employment by MSF

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

Impact lives through savvy giving

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Four women standing together in a room with a table, engaged in a conversation and displaying a sense of camaraderie.

Make savvy giving a legacy in your life: that was the clarion call to around 100 donors, charities and partners at the Community Foundation of Singapore’s (CFS) Lunar New Year lunch held in February.

“Being savvy in giving is about going beyond the usual traditions of supporting general fundraising campaigns, to deliberately taking charge of generosity,” shared Christine Ong, Chairman of CFS in her opening speech, “It’s about planning and thinking deeply about how to create a powerful effective result, to improve things and impact lives.”

Signaling a new phase for CFS in her first year as Chairman, Christine outlined CFS’s ambition to nurture “a nation of savvy givers” to create a more caring Singapore.

“The signature of a savvy giver or philanthropist, is to be bold and informed, curious and committed, and enthusiastic about putting into practice their beliefs and hopes for a better world,” she explained.

To this end, Christine highlighted that CFS would work on championing new giving by reaching out to donors and making giving easy and meaningful. Moving forward, CFS would also continue to drive collaboration for change, provide professional learning opportunities to the local sector and develop CFS’s organisational culture and capacity.

The lunch also saw the announcement by CFS for a new nationwide Legacy Giving Initiative – an ambitious project to help donors making savvy giving a legacy in their lives.

CFS wants to make legacy gifts a social norm in Singapore, and for donors to consider giving at every stage of their life journey.

The three-year initiative will be launched in the latter half of 2020. It aims to reach out to three audiences: donors, professional advisors and charities by promoting awareness, building and sharing knowledge and supporting action.

As Singapore’s only community foundation, CFS is fortunate to build on over 11 years of experience, to bring donors, charities and other stakeholders together.

Rounding off the lunch, CEO Catherine Loh thanked CFS’s donors, Board, partners and charity partners for their support as CFS turned a new page in its history. “We will be embarking on new initiatives and pursuing innovations as we build towards the future. Our Legacy Giving Initiative will further strengthen CFS’s position as the go-to philanthropy resource in Singapore, benefitting donors and charities alike,” she shared.

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The competition was organised by City Harvest Community Services Association and received support from FUN! Fund, a Community Impact Fund jointly established by the Community Foundation of Singapore and the Agency for Integrated Care, with the aim of addressing social isolation among the elderly.

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development Mr Tan Kiat How attended the event. He encouraged the elderly to stay physically and mentally well, as well as urging them to participate in community activities and enjoy their golden years together.

Learn more about FUN! Fund at https://www.cf.org.sg/fun-fund/.

 

The programme provides the children with a non-threatening platform to connect with peers and have positive conversations. In addition, it exposes them to different people who can assist to broaden their perspectives.

L.S., a volunteer with the Reading Odyssey programme @ Spooner Road

中心“常胜将军”胡锦盛:比赛限时反应要快

现年92岁的胡锦盛是最年长的参赛者。自2017年退休后,他几乎每天都到活跃乐龄中心报到,从此爱上了玩拉密,每次可玩上三个小时,在中心是“常胜将军”。

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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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TODAY: New S$528,000 fund to help disadvantaged people stay employed

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Elderly woman in wheelchair using computer to stay connected.

By Ng Jun Sen

SINGAPORE — When stereotypes, stigmas and prejudices prevent people with disabilities or mental health problems from finding jobs, they are often financially or socially disadvantaged for life.

To overcome these barriers, a new fund was launched on Thursday (May 23) to address the problem of social exclusion of disadvantaged groups here, bringing employment and vocational training support to where it is needed most.

The Learning Initiatives for Employment — Community Impact Fund programme is run by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), with the aim of equipping participants with skills, and helping them find jobs and stay employed.

It will target four marginalised groups, namely:

People with disabilities
People recovering from mental illnesses
Disadvantaged women
Youth-at-risk

Ms Joyce Teo, CFS’ deputy chief executive, said: “We hope to pilot new pathways to help the vulnerable make a living, improve their self-esteem and become more involved in society.”

WHAT THE FUND WILL DO
The fund will help participants undergo an average of 140 hours of vocational training and another 60 hours of job matching, job placement and on-the-job coaching support.

CFS targets around 65 per cent of participants to graduate from its training. Out of these graduates, 60 per cent are expected to be placed into jobs for at least three months.

During the training phase, charitable organisations partnering CFS will help these participants minimise or resolve family issues which could derail their training.

Participants seeking kitchen and service jobs will be trained by social enterprise Project Dignity, while Bettr Barista — a coffee academy — will coach aspiring baristas. Both organisations will also provide job attachment opportunities.

In the future, more industries could get involved in the scheme.

The scheme targets an initial 90 participants who will first be identified and referred by Institute of a Public Character charities. Their attitude, aptitude and employment potential will determine whether they qualify for the scheme.

Where possible, the programme will continue to track the participants for up to two years.

HOW IT IS FUNDED
Around S$528,000 is needed to support the scheme. All funding will come from donations and an anchor donor has been secured.

Potential donors can visit Giving.sg or write to CFS at contactus@cf.org.sg. Read more.

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The competition was organised by City Harvest Community Services Association and received support from FUN! Fund, a Community Impact Fund jointly established by the Community Foundation of Singapore and the Agency for Integrated Care, with the aim of addressing social isolation among the elderly.

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of National Development Mr Tan Kiat How attended the event. He encouraged the elderly to stay physically and mentally well, as well as urging them to participate in community activities and enjoy their golden years together.

Learn more about FUN! Fund at https://www.cf.org.sg/fun-fund/.

 

The programme provides the children with a non-threatening platform to connect with peers and have positive conversations. In addition, it exposes them to different people who can assist to broaden their perspectives.

L.S., a volunteer with the Reading Odyssey programme @ Spooner Road

中心“常胜将军”胡锦盛:比赛限时反应要快

现年92岁的胡锦盛是最年长的参赛者。自2017年退休后,他几乎每天都到活跃乐龄中心报到,从此爱上了玩拉密,每次可玩上三个小时,在中心是“常胜将军”。

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

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BLLNR: How to donate time and money to a charity effectively

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portrait of a woman wearing a traditional dress

While the notion of giving is indeed widespread, it isn’t easy to commit to help those in need when you find yourself caught up in today’s ever-changing environment.

The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) is one such organisation that facilitates this line of work by bridging donors with causes of interest to develop programmes and provide grants to enrich lives. It values the 3 C’s to make giving better: connect donors with respective causes, collaborate with charities and commit to managing donor funds.

One woman has managed to significantly grow the number of donor funds and volume of donations, paving the way for an effective philanthropy — Catherine Loh, the Chief Executive Officer of CFS, believes in the heart of giving. However, her arrival into the philanthropy space was not immediate but serendipitous.

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

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