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International Women’s Forum Singapore: Empowering young women for a better future
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International Women’s Forum Singapore: Empowering young women for a better future

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They may come from disadvantaged families, juggling work with school, but that has not stopped them from pursuing their dreams or even helping others. For this, ten young women were presented with the 2016 International Women’s Forum (IWF)’s Education Grants on 30 September.

Managed by the Community Foundation of Singapore, the IWF Education Grants support young women who are currently pursuing a diploma or degree in local polytechnics or universities but face challenges in continuing their studies due to financial difficulties. Many come from low income families and need to work to pay school fees or supplement their household income.

Recipients are selected for their academic performance, as well as resilience and aspirations. During the selection process, the Education Grants Committee also highlighted that despite their difficult circumstances, many of the recipients still found time to give back to the community by taking part in voluntary work such as befriending the elderly and mentoring young children and teens.

At the dinner reception held at CapitaGreen and hosted by IWF Singapore leaders including Dr Aline Wong, Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Arfat Selvam, Saw Phaik Hwa, Chong Siak Ching, Carmee Lim, Goh Swee Chen and Doreen Liu, recipients and mentors mingled and exchanged anecdotes and advice. The young ladies also took to the floor to share their struggles with work and studies, for some the responsibility of caring for ill or unemployed parents and above all their unwavering quest for further education.

The IWF women leaders applauded the strength and determination shown by the recipients and invited them to be ambassadors at the IWF Singapore 20th Anniversary Conference in 2017 so that they can continue to be an inspiration to others. As part of the mentoring programme, IWF leaders will impart guidance, career counselling and life skills to empower these young ladies for the future.

At the 20th Anniversary Conference, the organisation hopes to raise $250,000 to enable and empower even more young women to change the outcomes of their lives as well as their families’.

About the International Women’s Forum

The International Women’s Forum is a singularly unique organisation comprised of more than 6,400 dynamic women leaders in 34 countries and 75 forums around the world. IWF members span careers, cultures and continents, however, they are wholly aligned in their commitment to building better global leadership.

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Social Space issue 8: Collective philanthropy – the strength of giving together

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a two page write up regarding Collective Pilantrophy

By Rob John
“Giving to charity has never been a solitary activity in any culture. People have joined together to give for millennia. In Asia, clan associations, religious groups or just friends have enjoyed the benefits of giving as a group. But there appears to be a renaissance of collective giving with the advent of more organised, strategic and outcome-focused philanthropy. At the Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (ACSEP) where I am presently based, our research team’s curiosity about giving circles was first piqued when investigating the nature of innovation in Asian philanthropy in 2012. In that study, we reported several initiatives where individuals pooled their resources and jointly selected a non-profit organisation to fund. Since then, the number and variety of giving circle models have increased across the region, leading me to believe that giving circles will contribute significantly to the development of philanthropy in Asia over the coming decade.”

Read more about ‘Collective Philanthropy, the Strength of Giving Together’ on Pg 19 of Issue 8 of Social Space.

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Events

Donor Learning Trip – St Joseph’s Home’s Inspirational Inter-Generation Programme

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At CFS, we work closely with over 400 well-governed charities to link donors to programmes that achieve meaningful impact. With our deep experience, we understand the importance of improving lives through community initiatives. St Joseph’s Home (SJH) is a good example of this.

At CFS, we work closely with over 400 well-governed charities to link donors to programmes that achieve meaningful impact. With our deep experience, we understand the importance of improving lives through community initiatives. St Joseph’s Home (SJH) is a good example of this.

About St Joseph’s Home (SJH) 

SJH is a not-for-profit organisation set up by the Catholic Welfare Services in 1978 to provide shelter, care and love for the aged and destitute, regardless of race or religion. 

Since then, SJH has innovated to pioneer unique models of care that meet the community’s evolving needs. This includes the hydrotherapy, night respite care for persons with dementia and the co-located Infant and Childcare Centre (ICC).

SJH’s beautiful premise is situated at the heart of the Jurong Innovation District. It has wheelchair-accessible playgrounds, walkways and community spaces such as Café Verona and Funhouse to encourage chance interactions. Spaces are also configurable to accommodate structured programmes that require more privacy and comfort.

An Intergenerational Care Community

In August 2017, SJH pioneered Singapore’s first intergenerational community with an Infant and Childcare Centre (ICC) co-located in a nursing home.

Infants as young as two months old to children up to age six get daily opportunities lasting 45 to 90 minutes to interact with nursing home residents. Children and residents engage in activities such as shared newspaper reading, puzzles, LEGO building, singing and storytelling. 

These interactions form part of the children’s curriculum, where they learn about culture, and pick up motor and literacy skills. They also form part of the resident’s daily care, which is made possible only because of the close collaboration between the ICC and the clinical team of SJH. 

Our donors were recently invited to visit St Joseph’s Home and witnessed their recently-launched intergenerational art therapy programme. Joy was evident on the faces of both residents and children as they waved to one another.

Gladys and Nathan (children on the right) learning about the dragon boat festival with Mdm Quek* (resident on the left)

Intergenerational Programmes as a Therapeutic Intervention 

With all the buzz around intergenerational programmes (IGPs), here’s what sets SJH apart. 

Every programme has a therapeutic outcome and St Joseph’s Home Infant and Childcare Centre teachers work closely with SJH’s clinical team to develop IGPs that:

  1. Resonate with both generations 
  2. Intentionally facilitate conversations and relationship-building 
  3. Have therapeutic outcomes such as improve mood and increased social wellbeing 

Our visit coincided with the fifth of eight sessions conducted by an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Residents and children were collaborating on a calligraphy painting. 

Mdm Tan*, one of the participants who had been hesitant to join social activities, is observed laughing and making eye contact with Estelle, the spritely five-years-old that she’s paired with.

Estelle (left) sharing a conversation with Mdm Tan* (right). She has learned to move closer to Mdm Tan as the resident is hard of hearing.

Another resident, Mdm Wee*, has shown remarkable improvement, eating better and faster on days when she meets the children.

It’s inspiring to hear about Mdm Wee’s progress. She used to take two hours for lunch, often breathless and discouraged, preferring to stay in her bedroom. Now, after just a few sessions, she’s more motivated, energetic, and engaged, even asking about the children. She can now finish her meal in half an hour

The donors of CFS witnessed the energy within the group and comfortable interactions. These took hours to foster, and cannot be justly put in words. 

Developing such results is an art. It calls for a careful integration of the medical and psychosocial needs of the residents, their unique interests and the developmental stage and disposition of the child that they’re paired with. 

Teachers need to be equipped with an understanding of the residents and constantly communicate with the therapist before and throughout the IGP to ensure that the therapeutic outcomes are met.

Intergenerational Programmes as Education

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle

Since its inception in 2017, the teachers at St Joseph’s Home Infant and Childcare Centre have focused on investing in the character of the children. Empathy, kindness, and respect are not just taught but also demonstrated.

Children observe the staff and teachers interacting with residents, learning to respectfully gain the attention of those who may be weak or frail. They also practise handling wheelchairs and being considerate in their movements and volume around residents.

During the IGP, children will progressively pick up the residents’ names, interests, or areas in which they might need help with. For example, children might help residents by repeating instructions closer to their ears or uncapping the tools that require more fine motor skills.  

Intergenerational Programmes as an Innovative Care Model 

As pioneers in integrating the preschool curriculum with elderly-inclusive activities, SJH has learned and experimented along the way, all while remaining committed to their vision of providing person-centred, dignified care.

Their experience has since inspired other organisations. Looking ahead, SJH envisions the intergenerational programme as an integrated part of person-centred, holistic care for elderly residents. They continue to experiment with various programme types and structures, monitoring their impact and collaborating with research partners.

How You Can Help

St Joseph’s seeks $150,000 annually to run the programme, which involves childcare teachers, music, art, and occupational therapists that serve 20 children and 40 to 60 elderly residents. To find out how to become a CFS donor, click here

*Names changed to protect confidentiality.

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In celebration of Singapore’s 59th National Day, the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) had the immense pleasure of hosting our donors and partners at the opening night of Wild Rice’s “Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita.”

Catherine Loh (left), CEO of the Community Foundation of Singapore, speaking in the post-show dialogue with Martin Tan (centre), CEO of the Majurity Trust, and Ivan Heng (right), Founding Artistic Director of Wild Rice.

In celebration of Singapore’s 59th National Day, the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) had the immense pleasure of hosting our donors and partners at the opening night of Wild Rice’s “Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita.” The memorable evening was a collaborative initiative by CFS and The Majurity Trust (TMT), underscoring our shared mission to foster thriving communities in Singapore. Our organisations are no strangers to each other, having come together on the Sayang Sayang Fund during the Covid-19 period to provide support to those affected by the pandemic.

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The Power of the Arts and Philanthropy in Fostering Community Spirit

During the post-show fireside chat with CFS CEO Catherine Loh, Martin Tan, CEO of TMT and Ivan Heng, Founding Artistic Director of Wild Rice, the panelists discussed the significance of Zubir Said’s work and the role of the arts in bringing communities together.

Quoting the Malay proverb ‘Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung’ (You should hold up the sky of the land where you live), which reflects the philosophy behind our national anthem, Ivan recounted how Singapore was built by the labour of our forefathers, many of whom left their countries to create a life here. In a similar fashion, he shared, “Majurity Trust and CFS are dedicated to helping people contribute in a meaningful way, making their lives and existence in Singapore more significant. This mission embodies a very special and important philosophy.”

As the only Community Foundation with a Singapore focus, CFS aims to provide wraparound support for our communities, whether it be through education, healthcare, environmental conservation, arts and culture, and community development.

Many of our donors also support arts organisations such as Wild Rice. The arts play a crucial role in building strong and vibrant communities. They bring us together, help us understand different perspectives, and enrich our lives in countless ways. Events like tonight remind us of the power of the arts to inspire and unite us,

Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS

“The kind of partnership that the Community Foundation and Majurity Trust are striving for is about recognising that we can’t do this on our own. We are just advocates, a platform for philanthropists and donors to come together. Without patrons, supporters like you, and a wonderful audience, the actors and the art scene can’t thrive. Tonight, our presence on stage with Wild Rice and the Community Foundation is our way of saying thank you,” said Martin Tan, CEO of The Majurity Trust.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our incredible donors. Your generosity is the cornerstone of our mission to make Singapore a better place for all. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to maximise the impact of your contributions, ensuring a brighter future for everyone. Your support for arts groups like Wild Rice makes these enriching experiences possible and helps build a more connected and resilient community.

We extend sincere thanks to everyone for your continued support. Special thanks to Julian Wong, Ivan Heng, Wild Rice, and the exceptional musicians and cast for bringing Mr Zubir Said’s music to life and taking us on a marvellous musical journey. Together, we are making a difference. Your support ensures that the arts continue to thrive, enriching our lives and communities.










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The Peak Singapore: How responsible businesses can make their philanthropic dollars travel further

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While more companies are heeding the call to give back to the community, selecting a worthy cause and monitoring the use of donations may be a complex task. That’s where the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) comes in. It helps corporations develop a long-term philanthropy strategy, find suitable charity partners, and track the outcome of donations.

“We help donors go beyond what they can do on their own, and identify charity partners who can provide accountability,” says Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS.

One way of creating greater impact is to look at fresh ways of addressing community needs, suggests Loh. Take UBS’ Diversity in Abilities arts education programme, which aims to develop the talents of children and youth with special needs. After attending the programme, participants are able to concentrate better and have an overall improvement in the pace of learning. Such potentially beneficial initiatives can be made possible only by corporations that have a higher appetite for risk and are willing to support them, says Loh.

In terms of managing charitable dollars, both donor and recipient must agree on how the money will be used, the duration of the funding and the kind/depth of reporting required, Loh says. More importantly, she adds, companies should adopt the mindset of a partner and view philanthropy as a “learning journey”.

“Just like any business project, things can go wrong. Sometimes, it could be a misreading of community needs, or there could be physical or manpower constraints faced by the charity. We hope to take corporates on a philanthropic journey, to help them gain insight into what it takes to make a meaningful change.” Read more.

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