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Opening Doors: Making Education Accessible to Vulnerable Children and Youth

John Doe

February 24, 2025

CFS donors explored initiatives that make education accessible for children and youth, as part of the Collective for a Stronger Society – a five-year mission to uplift, empower, and enable lower-income families.

Can a child truly focus on education if their family struggles to afford basic needs like food and shelter? Research has shown that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, but for children from lower-income families, daily survival often takes priority. This can hold them back and widen opportunity gaps. At CFS, we seek to address these challenges so every child gets the support they need to succeed.

Our donors recently had the chance to learn more from two charities who are working to bridge this gap. Working in close collaboration with government ministries, schools, and communities, they deliver accessible education and renewed hope for children and youth through mentorship, befriending, and activities.

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Empowering Children and Youths Through Community Mentorship: TOUCH Young Arrows & YouthPhoria

The TOUCH Young Arrows and YouthPhoria programmes take a holistic, long-term approach to supporting children and youth from lower-income and single-parent families.

“If not for the volunteers and mentors at TOUCH Young Arrows, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” shared Jun Hao, a former beneficiary of the TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA) and YouthPhoria programmes by TOUCH Community Services, reflecting on his transformative journey.

“Growing up, my parents worked tirelessly as garang gunis (scrap collectors), leaving me to come home to an empty house after school. At TYA, I found more than just academic support—I found role models who taught me life lessons, values, and character, giving me a sense of belonging and hope. They transformed me from a rowdy, restless child into someone who believed in my own potential. Their guidance continued through YouthPhoria during secondary school, further shaping the person I am today.”

The TYA programme builds resilience and self-esteem through academic coaching and social-emotional development. YouthPhoria builds on this foundation, guiding youths through their transition to adulthood with mentorship and leadership development. Together, these programmes help break the cycle of disadvantage and empower participants to thrive.

Now 23 years old, Jun Hao is a second-year nursing student at NUS. Inspired by the mentors who guided him, he volunteers with TYA and YouthPhoria, paying it forward by mentoring children and youths to overcome their challenges and realise their potential, just as he once did.

Motivating Kids Through Sports: KidsExcel+ by Catch Them Young

By building confidence and self-esteem, the KidsExcel+ programme empowers children to overcome challenges and unlock their potential.

The KidsExcel+ programme by Catch Them Young ensures every child has an equal opportunity to succeed by addressing achievement gaps among its beneficiaries. Designed for Primary 1 to Secondary 5 pupils (ages 7–17), the programme uniquely combines sports and academic remediation to build confidence, foster camaraderie, and drive long-term engagement.

"Through the KidsExcel+ programme, I not only learned about sports and academics but also life values like responsibility and teamwork. These lessons helped me build confidence and resilience, allowing me to overcome challenges and pursue my dreams, such as becoming a doctor – something I once lacked the courage to strive for," said Rukaini, a beneficiary of KidsExcel+ since Primary 1.

Now in Secondary 2, Rukaini serves as a student leader, acting as a big brother to the younger children and continuing the cycle of positive impact he experienced.

Uplifting Lower-Income Families: The Collective for a Stronger Society

TOUCH Community Services and Catch Them Young are among the key partner organisations delivering impactful programmes for vulnerable children and youths. These efforts are part of the Collective for a Stronger Society (CSS), a five-year initiative aimed at providing wraparound support for Singapore’s most vulnerable families.

By addressing challenges holistically—fostering stability, self-reliance, and social mobility – CSS empowers families to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future.

CFS collaborates with donors to transform their philanthropic contributions into meaningful and lasting change. For those who wish to make a smaller contribution, you can support our work by donating through our giving.sg page. Every contribution helps us create a stronger, more inclusive community.