YWCA of Singapore | 150 Years of Empowering Women

What a Day of Joy and Excitement at YWCA HeART Beats!

25 Booths
25 Performers
5 Workshops
And 1 Heart in solidarity with our beneficiaries

Contents

• What is YWCA HeART Beats?
• What We Experienced at YWCA HeART Beats – A Music and Arts Charity Festival
• The Coming Together of Women Entrepreneurs Excites Us
• Looking Towards the Future
• You Can Still Participate in our Charity Festival!
• A Big Thank You!
• Check Out Our Wonderful Partners
• A Call To Collaborate

---

 

Hello YWCA Family, we have concluded our first Music and Arts Charity Festival, ‘YWCA HeART Beats’! It was a wonderful day of individuals, organizations, and businesses coming together for a good cause.

What is YWCA HeART Beats?

At its core, YWCA HeART Beats is a testament to community collaboration to impact lives, where over 50 vendors, performers, and workshops converged!

The collective effort raised funds that serve as a beacon of hope for over 2000 households, empowering YWCA women and children and extending essential support to the elderly, disabled, and struggling families.

 

What We Experienced at YWCA HeART Beats – A Music and Arts Charity Festival

Right at the entrance of the festival, attendees were greeted by a captivating collection of over 100 artworks graciously donated by 52 talented young artists from Studio Haroobee, our Art Partner.

The artists conceptualised and crafted their artworks for over a month, drawing inspiration from beloved animals, idyllic landscapes and cherished storybooks. We celebrate these young ones for their creativity, philanthropy, and the power of art to inspire hope!

A guest viewing paintings by students of Studio Haroobee

 

As attendees appreciated the walls of art, familiar pop songs and excited chatter drew them nearer to the main event at the Sophia Cooke Ballroom.

The excitement stemmed from a full day of non-stop music performances by various performing groups in the Ballroom! First up were our talented YWCA preschoolers, who performed dances to songs like Oh Hallelujah and Butter by BTS. Their excited voices and dance moves filled our hearts, setting the mood for the day! All their parents, relatives, and friends cheered them on as they sang and danced their hearts out.

We also had young, talented pianists and violinists from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Fisherman Music School, as well as a lineup of seasoned bands like The Breeze, International Baptist Church (IBC) Handbells Group, and The Klassics. They played various music, from well-known classical to oldies and Christmas music.

These musicians have committed to pledge their performances with a dedicated campaign on giving.sg. 

With the vibrant atmosphere hinting at an early Christmas, people wanted to give back to the community by buying booth products. 

The booths were all laid out, surrounding the audience. There was something for everyone from different age groups; the little ones enjoyed adorable cake pops to munch on, while the adults could indulge in tasty snacks or get their hands on custom-made wood décor! It was a great mix of Food & Beverage, Craft and Beauty booths.

To top it off, our friends from Pause For A Cause came by in their Superhero costumes. Parents and children alike had pictures taken with their favourite Marvel heroes. Check out Green Lantern and Scarlet Witch here!  

Guests taking a fun shot with cosplayers from Pause For A Cause

So many joyous voices and delighted faces exchanged smiles in the venue, bringing like-minded hearts together.

We had many heartfelt conversations about how we were working in our communities, trying to provide warmth and hope. These conversations gave us an understanding of the importance of community and the difference we can and have made. 

While hopeful, it reminded us of our responsibility to the community and the work that the YWCA of Singapore can still do. There are still varied and novel ways of engaging and empowering the community!

 

The Coming Together of Women Entrepreneurs Excites Us

Bakery Brera

Bakery Brera’s booth

Speaking of booths, who could miss the community’s favourite, Bakery Brera by Thrina? While her bakery sold exquisite artisanal pastries like Christollens, Penettones, and Sugee Cakes, what drew people in was her heart for serving the community by championing community projects, persons with mental health needs and mission work.

 

Maia Made

Maia with her family and friends

Did you catch Maia from Maiamade.sg? Tini runs the social media account with her daughter, Maia, who has Down Syndrome. Maia became obsessed with beading after her cataract operation in 2017, and Tini hoped to showcase how talented kids with special needs could be! What beautiful beads from an outstanding girl!

We hope you had the chance to check out craft booths like Crochet with Love and Hello Jayne; these women entrepreneurs inspired us, too!

 

Crochet with Love

Crochet with Love’s booth 

A group of full-time moms of children with special needs started Crochet with Love. They found friendship through crocheting and shared challenges. To embrace inclusiveness in Singapore, they showcased and sold crochet animals and flowers that they and their little ones lovingly made. How inspiring!

 

Hello Jayne

Jayne from Hello Jayne showcasing her designs

Jayne has a heart for community, which she expresses through her creative talents in captivating infographics and imaginative illustrations. It is no wonder she hopes to “bring a little joy and provide support to the community” with her participation here.

Such is the atmosphere at our charity festival, YWCA HeART Beats, where like-minded women entrepreneurs and small businesses came together to inspire hope through their work whilst raising funds for a good cause.

 

Awesome Women Series

Priscilla and Shawn Tan of Awesome Women Series

Priscilla and Shawn Tan, founders of the Awesome Women Series, wanted to help parents and educators raise smart, confident, and resilient girls through interactive games and inspirational stories about female role models.

The power couple energised us with their innovative ideas and approach to women’s empowerment. Their series of books on women leaders affirms our work at YWCA. Awesome Women Unite!

 

Distilled Word

Over on Level 3, where workshops were held, Adeline Ang, founder of Distilled Word, shared her passion for calligraphy with her participants.

Participants enjoying their calligraphy class

“Distilled Word was incepted amidst the pandemic back in 2020, and calligraphy was what kept me going then and while abroad, missing home. Calligraphy illuminated hope for me when I was focused on writing each stroke and word, “she said.

Participants enjoying their calligraphy class

For Adeline, there was no better way to give back to the community than to share the same hope she felt through a calligraphy workshop at YWCA HeART Beats!

 

Looking Towards the Future

YWCA HeART Beats isn’t just a charity festival; it’s a promise for the future. It’s a commitment to continue the legacy of the YWCA of Singapore, which spans 148 years. This legacy is not just a chapter in history; it’s a living, breathing testament to our dedication to empowering women, uplifting at-risk children and youths, and supporting needy families. We will continue to answer this call to serve the community through our programmes. 

This inaugural festival marked the prelude to a series of upcoming activities designed to enrich the lives of our community. Anticipate announcements in the coming months as we unveil innovative programs, collaboration opportunities, and activities that beckon you to volunteer and advocate for our beneficiaries.

Singers from The Breeze

You Can Still Participate in our Charity Festival!

While the event has concluded, our fundraising is still ongoing. Donate generously to support YWCA’s programmes for mums and children. Every dollar raised will be matched one-for-one by the Tote Board.

View our Giving.sg page here. Hurry! Our donation campaign closes by the end of February 2024.

 

A Big Thank You!

To our invaluable partners, dedicated staff, and selfless volunteers, your contributions are the notes that have composed the symphony of the YWCA for 148 remarkable years. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you. Your unwavering support has fueled our mission, allowing us to make a lasting impact on the lives we touch.

Mrs Kueh’s booth

 

---

Check Out Our Wonderful Partners

Art Partner – Studio Haroobee
Venue Sponsor – YWCA Fort Canning
Grant Partner – Tote Board
Superhero Partner – Pause For A Cause

Performance Partners

• YWCA Preschool @ Ang Mo Kio
• YWCA Preschool @ Outram
• YWCA Preschool @ Marine Drive
• YWCA Preschool @ Pasir Ris
• YWCA Preschool @ Bedok
• YWCA Preschool @ McNair
• YWCA Preschool @ West Coast
• YWCA Preschool @ Bishan
• YWCA Preschool @ Bukit Gombak
• Zhou Ningze
• Zhou Linxi
• Chen Jiayi
• The Breeze
• Fisherman Music School
• Isaiah Kum
• Heidi Ng
• Audrey Foo
• Yang Yizhou
• Handbells Ensemble by International Baptist Church
• Candice Zhang
• Riverie Lau
• XinTong
• Brynice Liw
• Brilyn Liw
• The Klassics

 

Workshop Partners

• Awesome Women Series
• Soul Purpose
• The Gingerbread Pan
• School of Concepts
• Distilled Word

 

Booth Partners

Food & Beverage

• Bakery Brera
• Mrs Kueh
• Chateaux
• Café Lodge by YWCA Fort Canning
• Tree Owls
• Mei Tang Soup
• Amboi Trading
• Hodunamu

Crafts

• Tiny Green Ones
• Crochet with Love
• hapiPomPom
• lil2leaves
• Mitoboru.club
• The Cheep Cheeps
• hello jayne
• Boutiquet Lah
• Maiamade.sg

Beauty & Others

• Dashing Diva
• J-rophe Skin Care
• SoapCeuticals
• ABRY
• Gillian’s Treasure Hunt
• Rachel’s Upcycle
• Ms Tan’s

For more quotes and stories from our partners, check out our Instagram page!

---

A Call To Collaborate

As we stand on the precipice of a new chapter, we extend an invitation to all who carry the torch of service in their hearts. Join us as collaborators in this ongoing symphony of love, where each note represents a commitment to compassion, empowerment, and positive change. 

Reach out to us via email here!

---

All net proceeds from YWCA HeART Beats – A Music and Arts Charity Festival will go towards supporting the following causes:

Meals-on-Wheels

Sustenance for Families

Empowering Mums

Empowering Young Women

English Club

Kids’ Weekday Care

Bless a Child Beneficiary with a Gingerbread Christmas!

Mooncakes For A Good Cause

DBS Exclusive 1-for-1 Deal

“I am very happy. People also very happy. I am very proud that I work at YWCA because the place I work can give and help so many people”- Dheena

 

Everyone can help someone.

Dheena Thayalan, one of our fellow co-workers at YWCA Fort Canning, recently went back to his hometown in Chennai and brought along donations collected from the team leaders at the office.

Dheena rallied his friends in the village of Mannargudi to help prepare hot meals, buy groceries, cooking utensils, water flasks, and even installed a ceiling fan for a village school. He also sent money to neighbouring towns for the poorest among the villagers and more than 200 people were blessed with the giving.

Our humble donation meant that many in his village had a full meal that day. It meant that families could fill up their rice buckets and children don’t have to go to bed hungry.

“I am very happy. People also very happy. I am very proud that I work at YWCA because the place I work can give and help so many people,” said Dheena.

 

A little goes a long way. We are reminded once again, that every bit helps and we can all offer someone in need a hot meal, a kind word, or a simple word of prayer.

Running a restaurant is not an easy feat. With increasing food prices, high operating costs and thinner profit margins, many F&B outlets struggle to stay afloat.

When COVID-19 hit the fragile F&B scene, it also took with it many well-loved restaurants which could not mitigate the financial impact of such a strong force working against them. Many restaurants had to shut their doors during this pandemic after decades of operations. These excellent chefs and small restaurant owners now find themselves leaving behind their source of livelihood and a throng of loyal customers who dearly miss their food.

YWCA Fort Canning would like to support this community with our in-house Café Lodge in a brand new food collaboration – CAFÉ LODGE GUEST CHEF SERIES

These talented local chefs will have the opportunity to serve their signature dishes at our Café Lodge to customers who have been waiting to taste their food again for far too long.

Award-winning Chef Ratha, formerly from The Black Sheep Café, will kick-start this series with his classic French-inspired food. Chef Ratha has extensive culinary experience and was featured in multiple magazines and newspapers.

“I’m excited to work with YWCA Fort Canning and can’t wait to see all my customers again at Café Lodge,” said Chef Ratha.

Prior to opening the Black Sheep Café in 2006, Chef Ratha began as one of the chefs at Raffles Hotel’s famed re-opening in 1991, contributing to a “Silver Medal” by Food & Hotel Asia. He was also awarded the prestigious “Runner Up Young Chef of the Year” presented by Chaine de Rottisier, as well as “Outstanding Performance by An Individual” by Raffles Hotel.

After being the Head Chef at The Swiss Club Singapore, he took over from famed Michelin starred UK chef, Jeremy Hollingsworth at The Fig Leaf, Fort Canning. It was there that he received a raving press review by Today newspaper declaring that his Pandan Soufflé should be Singapore’s national dessert!

He recalled that when he opened The Black Sheep Café in 2006, it was “just an extension of my love for cooking.”

“I have been blessed with some great customers who have gone out of their way to try and keep my cooking alive, which was the main reason that kept me going,” said Chef Ratha.

With the closure of his restaurant in October 2021, he has been spending valuable time with his family, which turned out to be one of the most treasured experiences that came out of the pandemic.

Chef Ratha is now ready to cook again and bring his acclaimed dishes to the table at Café Lodge. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy his Duck Confit, Baked Brie and Chocolate Cake, and join us in supporting our very own local talent.

With your support, we hope that we can contribute and give back to the F&B community. It is our hope and prayer that the local F&B scene will survive and thrive again, that the worst is over and the best is yet to come.

CAFÉ LODGE X CHEF RATHA

BY RESERVATION ONLY

Saturday Dinner, 6.30pm

Sunday Lunch, 11.30am

18 March 2022 to 15 May 2022

Click here to view the menu.

To make a reservation, please call Café Lodge (open 7am to 10pm daily).

Tel: 6335 8008/8009

Email: ywcacafe@ywca.org.sg

All our net proceeds also go towards funding YWCA’s community service programmes. Your support will make a real difference to the lives of all our beneficiaries.

Meeting the socioemotional needs of the socially isolated

We often speak of meeting the basic, physical needs of the people we serve, and their socioemotional needs often fall aside. Many of us rightfully prioritise ensuring our beneficiaries are fed, clothed, and have a roof over their heads, but what about attending to their feelings?

Through years of serving those from disadvantaged backgrounds, we have come to realise that a significant number of them feel disconnected from the community. It may be because they are non-ambulatory, from a low socioeconomic household, or simply being isolated, but people are social creatures and research has shown that not being a part of a community can be damaging to us.

Here at the YWCA of Singapore, we try our best to go above and beyond meeting the basic needs of those we serve, challenging ourselves instead to do better. While we used to organise outings for the YWCA Meals-on-Wheels recipients, the Covid-19 situation meant having to innovate and come up with other ways to engage the socially-isolated.

Distributing Mooncakes

It was a sunny Wednesday morning, and three YWCA Fort Canning staff were standing by the YWCA Meals-on-Wheels vans, taking selfies in excitement. For Housekeeping Executive Jeannie and Front Office Manager Ginny, it was the first time they were going to experience YWCA’s Community Service Programmes for themselves. As all net proceeds from our hospitality division of YWCA Fort Canning go towards funding these Programmes, we encourage our staff to volunteer so they understand the impact their work has on the lives of those in-need. F&B Manager Kelvin had previously gone on Meals-on-Wheels rounds and it was something he looked forward to.

Piling into two separate vans as part of the Covid-19 Safe Management Measures, Kelvin, Ginny, and Jeannie went on our YWCA Meals-on-Wheels delivery routes to personally gift mooncakes to our beneficiaries. These snowskin mooncakes were made in-house at YWCA Fort Canning’s Café Lodge.

While most of us would not think too much of these little treats, for these recipients, it is a luxury they can ill-afford. This small gesture goes a long way in making sure they feel included in a traditional community celebration most of us grew up with.

Ginny said, “This mooncake distribution was my first experience with the beneficiaries and while it may seem like a small thing, I was happy because their smiles and delighted faces made me joyful.”

Covering areas like Jalan Kukoh, Bukit Merah View, York Hill, and Chinatown, the Staff brought joy to these elderly beneficiaries with their cheerful well-wishes. They also took the time to chat to everyone who opened their door. For many of these beneficiaries who do not have family, our YWCA Meals-on-Wheels deliveries may be the only human interaction they have in a day.

“I’ve no regrets taking a break from my hectic work schedule to hand-deliver our little gifts and to send our wishes to these lonely elders for Mid-Autumn Festival,” said Jeannie, “Their smiles and heartfelt appreciation touched me and I hope we can do more in future.”

We are truly blessed with the most amazing staff, who despite their busy work schedules, make the time to give back to the community.

How You Can Help

Every day, YWCA delivers 1060 nutritious meals to our Meals-on-Wheels beneficiaries, many of whom are elderly and disabled, and have little means of finding suitable work to support their basic welfare. These meals not only relieve their financial burden, but ensure they have the nutrients they need to sustain good health.

$2.50 is all we need.

Click here to sponsor a meal.

Or

To find out how you can contribute or volunteer with us today, click here.