Mr Vincent Ha, Board of Director and Chairman for Youth for Causes, YMCA of Singapore,
Distinguished guests, teachers, students, ladies and gentlemen,
1. This is my first time attending the Youth For Causes. I understand that it has been ongoing for over 20 years. To me, it is about celebrating our youths. When I was a teenager, I did some community work by volunteering at an old folks' home and giving free tuition at a girls' home, amongst other things. I did those work individually but as I look at the groups going up the stage for the awards, I realised that there is power in teamwork.
2. Imagine how much you can do to support a good cause just by putting your hearts and minds together. And of course, with good mentors, teachers and Social Service Agencies to provide the rich learning environment and community space for our youths to do good. So, it is a collective effort and what we sometimes call the "whole-of-society". It is something that I feel is the way to go. We know that there will be people who fall through the cracks, people who are more vulnerable and those with more needs than others anytime and anywhere. While it is important for the government to step in with resources to support those who are disadvantaged, more importantly, it is also about how the communities come together to give hope. So, it is about celebrating youths today and giving hope. Let's give a round of applause for all our youths for their contributions today. Thank you.
3. We have a few outstanding projects:
a. 'Appeeling Potatoes', supporting the Dyslexia Association of Singapore, self-published 'The Dancing Letters', a book that beautifully illustrates how dyslexia is not a limitation, but a unique perspective. Your reading session at the National Library brought this message to life, promoting understanding and inclusivity. Not everyone understands what dyslexia is and how it affects people. It is through your project and outreach that you helped more people in the public understand what dyslexia is about, and how we as a society can provide care towards these people.
b. Another project, 'Project Resolute' demonstrates an inspiring commitment to building mental resilience among youth. Your 'How's Life' campaign and video featuring Bethesda Care Services raised an impressive S$87,000, fostering a caring community, and also championing mental well-being.
c. These are examples of projects that embody YFC's core values – embracing diversity, championing inclusivity, and creating a more compassionate world. Each effort speaks volumes about our youths' dedication to making a difference.
4. YFC complements the "Values in Action" (VIA) programme which many of us are familiar with, it nurtures socially responsible citizens who understand the needs of others and contribute meaningfully to the community. Both YFC and VIA are designed to engender student ownership and initiative, empowering our youth to take charge of their learning and create positive impact.
5. I would like to thank the YMCA of Singapore, National Youth Council, UBS, social service agencies, teachers, mentors and people here today for contributing to this meaningful initiative. The partnership between public, private, and civic sectors is a powerful catalyst for societal progress.
a. By leveraging diverse strengths of each sector, we can address complex challenges more effectively as a society, more importantly, there is a multiplier effect that amplifies the positive impact. This collaborative approach is the way to go. We know that individually, the impact can be limited but by coming together, we can achieve more.
6. Tonight, I want to celebrate the youths who have stepped up to make an impact on the community. You have shown us that change starts with you. Change does not require big ideas and grand vision, but practical little steps can make a difference. You may not see it now, but some of it can affect others and start a motion going. I understand that some of the seniors come back to coach the next batch of students for some projects. By doing that, they build on the learning and experience of the previous teams and doing so multiplies the impact.
7. Together, we want to paint a masterpiece of kindness, respect and progress. I hope that you will continue to contribute to the society. This is about the social compact and Forward SG. I am very inspired by the youth today for being part of this movement.
Thank you.