Youth-led collaborations to building a caring Singapore

Mr Albert Ching, President, YMCA of Singapore,
Mr Choi Wern Loong, Head of Emerging Corporates, Citi Commercial Bank, Citibank Singapore
Mr Vincent Ha, Chairman, Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes Committee,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls

Introduction

1. A very good evening. It is my pleasure to join everyone here for the Awards Celebration of the Citi-YMCA Youth for Causes programme, or YFC for short. Tonight, we celebrate the achievements of our youths in championing social causes that they strongly believe in – that you strongly believe in.

2. Since 2003, the YFC has continuously provided opportunities for our youths to step out of their comfort zone, and step up as leaders in kick-starting and running their own projects. Through an annual boot camp and a series of workshops, our youths learn to be creative and to think out-of-the-box in raising funds and generating awareness for their chosen causes.

3. For example, some youths leveraged online crowdfunding platforms as an alternative to traditional fund-raising. Others saw the importance of empowering beneficiaries by helping them showcase their creativity through the creation of art pieces. I am also heartened to see that some of our youths organised coding workshops for low-income families. This is in support of our Smart Nation initiative, and in the spirit of promoting lifelong learning.

Empowering our youths to continue the good work

4. This year's YFC saw 400 youths initiating projects to support 45 social services agencies. These projects mobilised close to 10,000 volunteers, and reached out to more than 800,000 beneficiaries. This amazing feat would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and passion of our youth participants. A really, a big thank you to you all!

5. There are so many good stories of your efforts. Allow me to share two of them with the audience here.

QANEbrella Team

6. After noticing that some seniors shun the walking cane as it makes them look old and frail, four 15-year old students came together and developed QANEbrella (pronounced as “Cane-brella”), in support of the Singapore Cancer Society. This is a hybrid umbrella walking stick that serves multiple functions, including an arthritis-free ergonomic and stress-free grip, and a smart chip that shows the weather forecast and the amount of ultra violet rays for the day. In the spirit of entrepreneurship, the team even established their own company, QaneMate, along with their non-profit arm, Qares (pronounced as “Cares”). To the team, this project is about enabling and empowering elders to use the QaneBrella with dignity. In recognition of their innovation and enterprising spirit, the QANEbrella team is awarded the Entrepreneurship Award and the Distinction Award. I would like to invite the team to stand, and let's give them a round of applause!

Project Liberosis

7. The second project - Project Liberosis, yet another outstanding team - has been providing Star Shelter with volunteer and fundraising support. The shelter, which is under the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations, is the only secular crisis centre in Singapore that provides temporary refuge for women and their children who are victims of family violence. Over the past year, the team mobilised over 160 volunteers from 20 different schools and raised more than $12,000, and this is more than seven times the seed funding provided to them. Last year, this project was awarded the Best Volunteer Mobilisation and Merit Award for its efforts. This year the team has outdone itself by receiving the Best Volunteer Mobilisation and Distinction Award. Congratulations to the team!

Collaborative effort to making a caring Singapore

8. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the 36 school partners and all the volunteers that have supported YFC this year. With your support, I am happy to share that YFC has raised over $600,000 this year! Congratulations to all the teams for a great job well done, on such an excellent achievement!

9. All these would not be possible without the strong support of Citi Singapore and YMCA of Singapore. I would like to applaud the two organisations for this wonderful partnership over the last 17 years. The YFC platform has empowered our youths to make meaningful contributions to the community year after year. I would like to urge more private sector and social service agencies to come forward and help nurture our youth to be the leaders of their generation, and play an important role in shaping Singapore's future.

10. At the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, we are committed to working with youths to build a future Singapore that they envision. We started the SG Youth Action Plan this year as a platform for our young people to share their vision for Singapore in 2025, and to spark the next wave of change. We will continue to engage and partner youths, and empower them to translate their ideas into concrete action.

11. I invite all of you to join us in this endeavour, where youths partner communities, businesses, and the Government to bring about positive impact. The National Youth Council provides volunteering opportunities through Youth Corps Singapore (YCS), and funding support through the Young ChangeMakers Grant. Do come forward and make full use of these resources to champion your cause.

Conclusion

12. Once again, my congratulations to all our youths. You embody the culture of care and consideration in the spirit of SG Cares. I hope you will continue to give your time and energy to sustain this culture, to make Singapore a better home for us all. Thank you.