A Season of Hope, A Time for Dreams
40-year-old Chen Zhiyu’s journey is a testament to the life-changing power of community and opportunity.
When Zhiyu first arrived at TOUCH Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) in 2007, he was trapped in a world of isolation. Living with an intellectual disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, he struggled to communicate and manage his emotions. When overwhelmed, he would hit his head against the wall— his only way of expressing frustration. Making friends or holding a job felt impossible.
But things changed when Zhiyu joined TCIL’s Job Preparation and Employment Services programme in 2011. Through this programme, he discovered his passion for art and became a Workshop Apprentice under the TOUCH Special Crafts’ Sheltered Employment Programme.
This opportunity allowed Zhiyu to build his confidence, express himself through art, and eventually transition into full-time employment in 2022.
Today, Zhiyu can proudly introduce himself and engage in conversations. “Working at TOUCH makes me very happy as I can paint and express myself through art,” Zhiyu says.
Now a member of the Continual Support Programme, which offers ongoing education, skills training, and emotional support for adults with special needs, Zhiyu continues to grow and thrive.
Zhiyu’s story is a powerful reminder of how your support can transform lives. With your generosity, individuals like Zhiyu can overcome their challenges, find their path, and pursue their dreams.
This Christmas, you have the chance to bring hope to more individuals like Zhiyu. Explore inspirational stories of hope and transformation - whether through the heartwarming journeys below, or by unwrapping them through our virtual claw machine game. Each story carries dreams, joy and the power of possibility. Help us fulfill these wishes and brighten the lives of individuals and families in our care.
Bringing Hope to Children's Dreams
5-year-old Levon Sim dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Raised by her grandmother, Judy, Levon struggled with language development and reading when she was already four.
Unable to afford additional help, Judy enrolled her in TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA), where Levon received academic support and participated in enrichment programmes that nurtured her curiosity and critical thinking. Today, Levon is more confident, caring, and passionate about helping others. Her grandmother is hopeful that Levon will have a bright future and believes that these opportunities have brought Levon closer to achieving her dream of being a doctor.
Your support will fund TOUCH Young Arrows' educational programs to empower needy children like Levon achieve their dreams by giving underprivileged kids the tools they need to build brighter futures.
Helping Seniors Regain Independence
After suffering a stroke that left him with mobility issues, 63-year-old Mr. Lim Yeow Tuck found daily tasks like housekeeping and buying food challenging. However, with the support of TOUCH Home Care, he became hopeful about regaining his strength and independence in time. He dreams about sharing his experience as a professional chef to help prison inmates reintegrate into society, fulfilling his goal of volunteering and giving back to the community.
Your donation to TOUCH Home Care will help former chef Mr. Lim regain his independence after a stroke and fulfil his dream of mentoring prison inmates, making a lasting impact on his rehabilitation journey.
Empowering Special Needs Individuals to Unlock their Potential
Despite being born with hearing impairment and an intellectual disability, Yi Ting's parents were determined to help her live a fulfilling life and reach her full potential. Enrolling her in TOUCH Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) provided her with essential life skills and confidence-building activities that promoted independence. Yi Ting has made remarkable progress since then. She now holds a part-time job and serves as an assistant facilitator at Disability Awareness Workshops, where she confidently makes public presentations to advocate and raise awareness for individuals like herself. Her journey is a testament to the power of hope, perseverance, and empowerment.
Your donation helps TOUCH Centre for Independent Living to transform lives like Yi Ting's by equipping people with special needs with essential life skills that turn challenges into inspiring stories of independence and advocacy.
Supporting Individuals to Heal
14-year-old Felicia Yong is on her road to recovery to lead a happier and healthier life with her father. Felicia’s hopes of the warmth of a complete family were dashed at the age of seven when she moved back home from a family friends' place, but her parents’ frequent fights made her the reluctant mediator. The stress from her family situation coupled with academic pressure eventually led to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Through TOUCH Mental Wellness' Supporting Youth in the Community (SYinC) programme, Felicia attended fortnightly counselling sessions and learnt coping skills to manage her emotions and reduce her self-harm behaviour and suicidal thoughts. With her father's support and her counsellor's dedication, Felicia is on her road to recovery and building a stronger bond with her father — an inspiring journey of resilience and recovery.
Your donation will fund TOUCH Mental Wellness' counselling programs that help youths like Felicia overcome mental health challenges and rebuild family bonds, making a lasting difference in young lives today.
At TOUCH, we believe in a community where everyone is valued and empowered. We are passionate in uplifting families, children, youths, caregivers, seniors, and persons with special and wellness needs.
Join us in gifting a brighter future to those in need.
- $30 a month provides peer support training in mental health for up to 6 students.
- $50 a month provides 1 child from a low-income family with mentoring support to realise his or her potential.
- $100 a month provides 1 senior with a dedicated escort and two-way transport for their medical appointments.
- $200 a month provides 1 special needs individual with 1 week of training to build skills for independent living.
All donations are entitled to 250% tax deduction.
(Donation amount of $1,000 X 250% = $2,500 tax deduction)