STORIES OF IMPACT Archives

Children sitting in a circle, engrossed in a book, fostering a love for reading and learning together.

Reading Odyssey – Building confidence and motivation through reading

With recent changes to school-based assessments in primary schools, Singapore’s education system is looking beyond mere academic results to appreciate the importance of the joy of learning. In this vein, Reading Odyssey – a community-based project by Educational Psychology Service, SHINE Children & Youth Services – has been empowering disadvantaged children to enjoy reading with meaning, knowledge and understanding via this novel programme since 2013.Supported by multiple donors from the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), Reading Odyssey currently collaborates with various community partners to run in seven centres across Singapore and serves 120 children from Kindergarten Two to Primary Six, many from lower income families. “Many of these children are two to three years behind their peers in their reading abilities and have limited learning support and exposure. They usually have low confidence and a poor academic self-image,” says Magdalen Loh, Reading Odyssey Captain and Lead Learning Specialist.

A group of people sitting at a desk with microphones and computers.

938Now: Night Chat with Susan Ng

(From 938Now’s Facebook post on 23 October 2018):Join us on #NightChatWithSusanNg from 9pm-10pm

Engaging magazine article highlighting living legends, individuals whose exceptional contributions have made them iconic figures in their respective domains.

Singapore Tatler: Living Legacy

More people are starting to think about philanthropy and giving back, instead of leaving it as a post-retirement consideration. Thio Shen Yi and Stefanie Yuen Thio, and Adrian and Susan Peh tell Singapore Tatler how they are making more strategic and effective giving through their private charity funds with the Community Foundation of Singapore.
Read more.Courtesy of Singapore Tatler, October 2018

A diverse group of individuals standing united in front of a sign displaying the empowering message "Together We Can.". (From left) James Tan, Tan-Wu Mei Ling, Justina Tan, Joyce Teo, Dr Ang Kiam Wee, Pang Sze Khai and Jacky Ang.

Singapore Youth Impact Collective helps youths progress from classroom to working life

Despite the heavy rain on the morning of 9 October 2018, hearty drumbeats and festive excitement filled the air at Level 5 of Block A, ITE College Central.It was the much-awaited launch of the Singapore Youth Impact Collective, a first-in-Singapore initiative that uses the collective impact model to empower disadvantaged youths to progress more smoothly from the classroom to fulfilling careers.

Berita Harian: Programme to prepare youths for the workplace launched

Lianhe Zaobao: By encouraging participation in interest groups to improve skills, youth collective helps students plan their careers

王晓亚
工艺教育中区学院的谭嘉燕参与学校的户外探险兴趣小组，成功克服恐惧完成绑紧跳，并学到野外求生技能，让她在职业规划上多了选择，考虑未来成为一名露营指导员。一次绑紧跳的经验，让19岁的谭嘉燕在成长过程中经历改变，也用所学到的新技能为未来职场做好准备

Two young people sitting on a couch, engrossed in a box of games, enjoying their leisure time together.

The Straits Times: From school to workplace: Help for disadvantaged youth

By Rahimah Rashith2 new programmes offer vocational training and workshops under 3-year ITE initiative

A group of people posing (From left) James Tan, Tan-Wu Mei Ling, Justina Tan, Joyce Teo, Dr Ang Kiam Wee, Pang Sze Khai and Jacky Ang

Media release: The first Singapore Youth Impact Collective to empower disadvantaged youths

This is the first initiative in Singapore that uses the collective impact model, which enables funders and non-profits to own and address complex social issues in a coordinated manner.The Collective aims to increase the ability of disadvantaged youths to progress to working life through training and skills development.

A group pf individuals from CFS posing together

Singapore Tatler: Community Foundation of Singapore Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) was founded during a tumultuous time. Chairman Laurence Lien recalled that it was during the global financial crisis of 2008 and Lehman Brothers had just collapsed—hardly good news for a non-profit organisation that was set up to encourage and enable philanthropy in Singapore. But now, 10 years later, 113 charitable funds have been established with CFS, which has raised more than $100m and disbursed around $60m to over 400 charitable organisations in Singapore, said CEO Catherine Loh at its 10th anniversary celebrations at The Arts House, which was graced by minister Grace Fu as its guest of honour. Lien and Loh also paid tribute to its donors and charity partners, and encouraged one and all to not only give more, but give well and channel them for impact. CFS’ three-pronged focus in the coming years—collaboration, legacy and impact—will guide its purpose of building a philanthropic culture in Singapore.Read more.

Inspiring thoughts from our anniversary speeches

At CFS’s 10th anniversary event, it was the perfect moment to reflect on the sea of change in the philanthropy landscape over the past decade. But what lies ahead? Our three distinguished speakers – Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Catherine Loh, CEO of CFS, and Laurence Lien, Chairman of CFS – all struck home the point on philanthropy’s potential for growth in Singapore – through driving impact via new giving channels, collaboration and innovative approaches.Here are three inspiring thoughts from the evening’s speeches:

STORIES OF IMPACT