CELEBRATING CATALYSTS OF CHANGE - Company of Good
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02 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS C The Champions of ovid-19 is an unpre- We would like to extend our gratitude to: cedented crisis that Mr Heng Swee Keat: Deputy Prime Minister, brought the global Good programme Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies economy to a grinding halt. recognises and Minister for Finance, for his continued Businesses reached a na- dir, as the pandemic threw organisations that support and special message to our Champions of Good 2020; a spanner in the works for are exemplary in Ministry of Culture, Community and many of them. However, despite the obstacles, com- doing good and Youth for their support in the Champions of Good programme; panies that have been do- have also been Our Judging and Final Review Panel for ing good and contributing to communities before the a multiplier by meticulously selecting our Champions of Good; downturn continued to give engaging their The Business Times for the citation book back. These Champions rolled with the punches, partners and And everyone who has helped make innovated, and continued stakeholders on this edition of Champions of Good a success! to lead by example, inspir- a collaborative ing fellow businesses to do good. They epitomised the journey. We would like to extend our gratitude to the dictum “there is strength in following trade associations and chambers of numbers”, as they chose to commerce for their assistance during our marketing outreach: be a part of a community of About Company of Good like-minded businesses and Company of Good connects Action Community for Entrepreneurship teamed up to help those at organisations to do good American Chamber of Commerce risk in society. strategically, sustainably and British Chamber of Commerce Singapore This can be seen from impactfully. Through its ini- Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore the various projects that tiatives, like-minded organ- Enterprise 50 the Champions spearhead- isations can learn, network French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore ed. For example, Com- and collaborate for good. pany of Good launched a Law Society Pro Bono Services Company of Good is a part programme called Eat for of the National Volunteer & Orchard Road Business Association Good, and together with Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), SG Tech its members Maybank which is the steward of the Singapore Business Federation Foundation Singapore, Samsui Supplies City of Good vision for Sin- Singapore Hotel Association & Services and Tripadvisor, gapore. The City of Good is Singapore International Chamber of Commerce it roped in The Food Bank a vision of Singapore where Singapore National Employers Federation Singapore’s “Feed the City” People, Organisations, and project. Singapore Contractors Association Limited Leaders come together to The programme distribut- give their best for others. ed a total of 1,000 meals a day to beneficiaries such as All About Champions of Good Saints Home, Covenant Fam- Champions of Good was ily Service Centre and Man launched in 2017 as a na- Fut Tong Welfare Society. tional recognition framework Looking ahead, the Cham- under the Company of Good. pions will seek opportunities It recognises organisations to amplify their efforts in do- that are exemplary in doing ing good by working togeth- good and have also been a er and tapping each other’s multiplier by engaging their strengths. They will contin- partners and stakeholders on ue to embody the spirit that a collaborative journey. true champions make time With the success of for good. Champions of Good to date in 2020, we have conferred SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: Vivien Ang a total of 97 unique ART DIRECTOR: Tan Lin Kuan SUB-EDITORS: Chan Wai Peng, Chiang Yin Pheng, Kelvin Lee, Champions of Good and we Melissa Lee Suppiah, Naveen Verghese, Adeline Woon aspire to grow the communi- MARKETING CONTACT: Shirley Chua (9620 1339), ty of Champions. Patricia Tan (9620 1348)
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 03 FOREWORD MILDRED TAN CHAIRMAN, NVPC “ 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for everyone as we tackle a global pandemic, an economic slowdown and the attendant societal impact. In these unprecedented times–which necessitated the roll-out of the Fortitude, Resilience, Solidarity and Unity Budgets to help Singapore tide through the crisis– it is more important than ever for leaders and organisations to step forward to pivot their organisations to the new normal so that no one is left behind. Despite these immense and dynamic challenges, I believe we have the opportunity to build a stronger and better Singapore where our resilience will uplift us as a City of Good. It speaks volumes that a record 74 Champions of Good have been recognised by NVPC this year, an increase of over 20 per cent from the previous iteration. These are truly exemplary organisations that have made doing good an integral part of their business and With the Champions of organisational values. By looking beyond conventional Good leading the way, business goals, these Champions of Good have displayed resilience and adaptability I am confident that we in their fight to overcome the economic downturn and are setting the precedent will build a City of Good– in robust corporate citizenship for other stakeholders and industry peers to follow. a Singapore that cares. They have uplifted the lives of many despite the challenging outlook. I wholeheartedly commend these Champions of Good for their inspiring work. With the Champions of Good leading the way, I am confident that we will build a City of Good–a Singapore that cares.
04 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 Snack box subscription startup Boxgreen has seen an increase in subscription with more people working from home. In addition to working with 15 selected inmates at its plant located in Changi Prison, they are working with the Yellow Ribbon Project and have since hired two ex-offenders. their impact. Last year, for instance, they announced their inaugural DBS Foun- We look forward to working with dation Social Impact Prize social enterprises across Asia – as as part of SMU’s Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan together, we work towards creating Competition. They also a better, more sustainable world. BUILDING partnered the Singapore International Foundation in SINGAPORE'S 2019 to award the DBSFxSIF Social Impact Prize to three SOCIAL SEs who have shown compel- Asia, with over S$5.5 million efforts in the midst of the ENTERPRISES ling achievements. This is in addition to their in grant funding. To help SEs get through pandemic. As part of the programme, Businesses are annual Social Enterprise Grant, which has been held the Covid-19 pandemic, the foundation has ramped up Singtel recently provided grant support of S$40,000 increasingly aware annually since 2015. The support with a mix of loans and networking access to that championing 2020 cycle of the grant is un- derway; this is the first time and grants. The SE Digital Business Loan is a collater- help some future makers scale their solutions. these causes the foundation is introducing al-free loan made available to One of these SEs in- is as much about a zero food waste category of grants for SEs with innovative all 360 raiSE-registered SEs. RaiSE is the Singapore Centre clude AEvice Health, which launched a remote mon- nurturing them, solutions. for Social Enterprise. At an itoring device that allows as it is about Karen Ngui, board mem- ber of DBS Foundation and interest rate as low as 2 per cent per annum, this is the healthcare professionals to assess patients' physiolog- strengthening DBS's head of group strate- lowest interest-rate loan of- ical vital signs and respira- the ecosystem. gic marketing and commu- nications, said: “Food binds fered to SEs during this peri- od, DBS said. tory symptoms in real time without physical contact By Mindy Tan people together and has the The foundation has also with Covid-19 patients. An- tanmindy@sph.com.sg power to connect across set aside an additional other SE is Solve Education! @MindyTanBT generations. Yet some of our S$500,000 in grant funding. Foundation, which launched attitudes towards food have The Business Transforma- an educational game app to exacerbated critical issues tion and Improvement (BTI) equip marginalised children such as global warming, cli- Grant is open to all DBS and youth with accessible A s the social enterprise mate change and biodiver- Foundation-supported SEs knowledge and skills on how (SE) matures in Sing- sity loss. We look forward to provide funding support to to manage Covid-19. apore, businesses are to working with social en- them, so they can protect and As part of larger efforts to increasingly aware that terprises across Asia – as create jobs, as well as pivot support the social impact championing these causes is together, we work towards digitally in search of new ecosystem, the communi- as much about nurturing creating a better, more sus- income streams. cations group actively en- these businesses, as it tainable world.” Meanwhile, Singtel Future gages with the 3Ps – people, is about strengthening the DBS Foundation is the first Makers, an accelerator pro- private and public sectors. ecosystem. foundation in Singapore ded- gramme that aims to estab- For instance, they work in DBS Bank’s DBS Founda- icated to championing social lish a community of support consultation with raiSE to tion, an early player in the entrepreneurship. To date, for SEs that leverage technol- understand the needs of SEs space, is actively leverag- the foundation has support- ogy and innovation for social and established a co-funding ing collaborations to widen ed more than 60 SEs across impact, has also ramped up partnership.
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 05 the Company of Good (COG) individuals who needed timise efforts to work togeth- banner into action in late the help. er towards common causes.” February. Sharon Eng, head of cor- OCBC has also recognised Together with its mem- porate responsibility and sus- the importance of providing bers – which include May- tainability in Maybank Sin- food support and contribut- bank Singapore and Samsui gapore, said: “The Covid-19 ed S$300,000 as well as vol- FOOD FOR Supplies & Services – NVPC roped in The Food Bank pandemic has worsened so- cial inequalities and many unteer support to help Food from the Heart (FFTH) set GOOD Singapore’s “Feed the City” areas of need have surfaced. up its Community Shop@ project. In this volatile situation, a key Mountbatten. At this shop, Companies and By mid-April, the drive challenge is to quickly identi- nearly 5,000 eligible house- volunteers contribute was ready to support those struggling to put food on the fy the most urgent needs and gaps to fill, partners who are holds can pick the food items they need, instead of receiv- what they are best table. best able to implement the ing standard rations of rice Nichol Ng, co-founder of initiatives, and decide which and canned foods. placed to offer – The Food Bank Singapore, causes to support and how to Koh Ching Ching, head of funds, the meals or said demand for these meals be part of the solution.” Group Brand and Communi- surpassed supply, and with Samsui Supplies’ director cations at OCBC Bank, said: distribution logistics. potential corporate donors Ang Kian Peng said: “Sam- “At the heart of the #OCBC- tightening their budgets, do- sui Supplies & Services Pte Cares Programme is our on- By Vivien Ang nations were being spread Ltd and our founders have going effort to help where it vivang@sph.com.sg thin across many non-gov- always believed that giving matters the most; providing ernmental organisations. back to the community is targeted help to address gaps. Each company thus took part of our social responsi- We speak to members of the on a role it was positioned to bility, especially as a home- community, charity and even deliver on: Maybank provid- grown company.” government organisations to T he free bento meal that 81-year-old Madam Ng has been ed the funds; Soup Restau- rant Group (the parent firm of Samsui Supplies) and Also doing its part was the Pan Pacific Hotels Group, which converted a kitchen understand what the critical needs are.” In the area of food sup- tucking into daily since mid- other F&B businesses wel- facility for the food drive port, the bank’s staff volun- April comes courtesy of a comed the food orders and channelled its opera- teers first stepped forward in web of connections. as these generated reve- tions teams to provide over 2013 to cook the meals at the A beneficiary of Man Fut nue for them, while giving 20,000 meals to low-income Willing Hearts Soup Kitch- Tong Welfare Society who them a chance to give back families with children on en, before moving to food lives on her own in Hougang by participating in the home-based learning till distribution on a larger scale Street 11, going out to buy programme. June 1, 2020. The provision with FFTH. food was no longer an option Food Bank Singapore, on of meals is part of Project Iris Tan, assistant vice- during Covid-19. its part, stepped up with its Makan, organised by The president of OCBC, said she In stepped the National understanding of the gaps in Social Kitchen, YMCA and was among the volunteers Volunteer & Philanthropy the needs of the community SHINE Children & Youth who distributed eggs to Centre (NVPC), which gal- and its communications and Services. needy families in Bukit Mer- vanised its members under logistics capabilities to reach Wee Wei Ling, executive ah back in 2019. director of Sustainability “By the time we had com- Partnership, Lifestyle and As- pleted distribution and I was set, said: “Pan Pacific Hotels preparing to leave, I walked Group has in its core belief past one of the recipients’ the need to give back to the flats and saw the family’s society it operates in.” very young children dragging When asked what more mattresses out of the flat, and can be done to boost the laying them along the cor- giving scene, she said: “Part- ridor and staircase landing, nership and collaboration getting ready for the night. – these are key principles “It was then that I real- which will drive this ecosys- ised that the tray of eggs and tem more robustly. Among food rations the family was the non-profit organisations receiving monthly may have within each sector, we have seemed like normal items observed certain overlaps that we were distributing in beneficiary groups. More week after week, but to these communication or coordina- families in need, they were tion between them would op- powerful lifelines.” FROM ABOVE LEFT: PPHG’s provision of meals is part of Project Makan, organised by Social Kitchen, YMCA and SHINE Children & Youth Services to benefit low-income families with children whose access to free or subsidised meals in schools are disrupted during Singapore’s extended circuit breaker. Project Belanja! supported by OCBC Bank, enables seniors to enjoy hot meals conveniently every day through the use of a QR code redemption system. The term “Belanja” embodies the spirit of OCBC’s partnership with Food from the Heart – to treat families in need to nutritious meals.
06 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 GOING ALL OUT FOR INCLUSIVE HIRING These organisations from across different sectors have one thing in common – they view corporate social responsibility as a crucial part of their core values. By Mindy Tan tanmindy@sph.com.sg @MindyTanBT E ven as Covid-19 is making its impact felt on businesses, mould, and even viruses like Covid-19. “We have transitioned 80 companies that understand per cent of our 70 staff into the importance of inclusive the cleantech space,” said hiring are digging their heels Mr Chua. “It has helped our in deeper and, in some cases, workers move up the career are even accelerating their ladder as they move into spe- processes. cialist tracks.” Cleaning services compa- Another firm that is step- ny Spic & Span (SNS), for in- ping up hiring efforts, despite stance, has been aggressively being in one of the sectors ramping up training for its most impacted by Covid-19, staff as it expands into clean- is food and beverage (F&B) ing technology – also known operator Iron Nori. as cleantech. The SE recently re-hired its For founder Benjamin first special needs staff, Lee FROM TOP: Mr Lee (second from right) with Indranee Rajah during a Chua, the mission of the De Chun, who in addition to community event. Mr Lee is Iron Nori’s first special needs staff and is currently undergoing training as a drinks counter staff at their Tanjong Pagar branch. company has always been having a moderate intellec- Head chef Subash Srikrishnan (left) provides the Sodexo kitchen team with clear: To be a force for good, tual disability, has multiple some pointers to reduce food waste during preparation, based on data from the while being commercially health issues. WasteWatch programme last year. viable. The social enterprise Mr Lee joined Iron Nori in Spic & Span’s social outreach encompasses the Yellow Ribbon Project and (SE) hires ex-offenders, per- Family Service Centres which provide family counselling services. 2018, but had to take a break sons with disabilities, and due to health issues. He re- individuals that come from joined Iron Nori and later, marginalised families. upon graduating from an in- “Our main objective is to house training programme, The curriculum has been the Covid-19 pandemic, the allow them to be valuable and the F&B operator helped him designed to cater to the on-job placement has been contributing members of so- transition into a manufactur- learning requirements of put on hold. ciety,” said Mr Chua. “There ing job. He was retrenched persons with both physical “In the meantime, we is a proper feedback loop to from this job recently, and and cognitive disabilities. have converted the training ensure that the person placed Iron Nori decided to re- They do this by incorpo- into online classes. During on employment treats SNS as employ him. rating photographs, videos this period, our trainees un- a career, so both us as an em- Helping persons with dis- and hands-on demonstra- dergo home-based learning ployer and the social service abilities find careers in the tions. For those with physical and we’re very proud that agency (SSA) can properly in- F&B industry is something disabilities, the worksta- they are able to adapt well to vest in the worker in order to that Sodexo and Samsui tions in the training kitchens technology-enabled learn- ensure sustainability.” Supplies & Services, are fa- are equipped with knee- ing,” said Rosalind Chaw, More recently, SNS has miliar with. operated hand sinks. The Sodexo’s country human ventured into the cleantech They started the Train and walkways are also wider, resources (HR) manager. space. Unlike traditional Place programme in Septem- and workstations are “It’s been an enriching cleaning products – which ber last year, which offers designed to accommodate journey for us and we’re glad kill bacteria on application training in areas such as safe- wheelchair users. that we were able to adapt to – this special coating (Spe- ty and hygiene, and invento- Sodexo has trained two the challenges of the current co) is able to kill bacteria, ry management. batches of students. Due to situation,” she said.
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 07 as a financial risk. In turn, leading global investors and capital-market participants have become early movers in taking comprehensive ac- tion to identify, evaluate and manage climate-related risks and opportunities in their portfolios or loan books. Ms MacPherson added that the current pandemic and its economic fallout are triggering a further surge in sustainable, responsible and impact investing. In a similar vein, Right People Renewable Energy (RPRE), a company based in FROM LEFT: RPRE Team with the owner of Gangga Island Resort & Spa. Singapore and Indonesia, is In 2019, Moody’s Singapore received the AmCham CARES Gold Recognition Award for their extraordinary helping its customers switch corporate and societal excellence efforts. On Nov 15, 2019, Moody’s volunteers joined AmCham to help pack and from expensive and pollutive deliver groceries to more than 600 vulnerable households on AmCham’s annual Corporate Community Day. fossil fuels to clean, renew- able sources of energy (pri- marily solar and batteries). est soap-recycling charity, chapter of Soap Cycling was Having set for itself the expanded to Singapore, so set up, hotels were the first target of being net zero emis- as to gather these unused partners it reached out to. sions by 2030, it has taken its soaps and shampoos for Hotel partners now include first step by having its Singa- recycling and subsequent Park Hotel Group, Hilton Sin- pore office in a building that distribution to groups such gapore, and Frasers Hospital- runs on 100 per cent renew- as migrant workers and low- ity. able energy by purchasing a WALKING income families. The soaps collected from green electrical tariff. RPRE Soap Cycling Singapore’s has also installed solar pan- THE hospitality partners are first els and batteries on a floating SUSTAINABILITY sorted and then “cleaned” – in straightforward fashion, fish farm in Singapore, re- placing the noisy, dirty diesel TALK that is, by scraping off the generator onboard. We focus on surface layer of the soap with Taking and staying on the Firms are making commercial and a scraper. sustainability track does not Ms Tan said: “Soap is always make for a smooth it their business industrial clients self-cleansing and self-pre- journey. to practise what who use dirty serving, so it’s safe for use and does not have to go through a Robin Pho, founder and chief executive of RPRE said they preach fossil fuels as ‘sterilisation’ process.” that obtaining bank financ- when it comes to their primary The charity also trains ho- tel housekeepers on selecting ing for solar projects is usu- ally challenging unless the saving the Earth. source of energy. the soaps for the programme, amounts are S$10 million so that only mildly used or and above, though the situa- By Vivien Ang vivang@sph.com.sg We believe we unused ones are collected. The name of the game tion is improving. Minimum loan quantums can make the here is, of course, sustain- have since become more ac- biggest impact ability, which has become enough of a catchphrase that cessible, he noted. The company has also by prioritising B ack before Covid-19 Moody’s Corporation has hired one employee who is a struck, hotels would acquired a majority stake in refugee from Afghanistan. typically be left with these clients. global sustainability data and Mr Pho said: “Working barely used bars of soap and assessment firm, Vigeo Eiris, with the United Nations bottles of shampoo after their and in climate risk analytics High Commissioner for Ref- guests check out. house, Four Twenty Seven, ugees has made us all more Lush Singapore, a chain Jacqueline Tan, partner- in 2019. empathetic to the plight of with outlets retailing soaps, ships manager of Soap Cy- Martina MacPherson, se- refugees and grateful for the shampoos and skin-pam- cling, said that with hotels nior vice-president of Stra- safety we have in our lives. It pering items, did something running at 80 to 90 per cent tegic ESG (Environmental, also sparked insightful con- about soap waste through its occupancy when a pre-pan- Social and Corporate Gover- versations with my family exclusive licensee company, demic Singapore was still nance) Engagement & Part- members, where I discov- Sash Natural. a major tourism hub, a lot nerships at Moody’s, said: ered that my own family Its chance came when of hotel soap was going “Investors and capital mar- fled Indonesia as refugees Hong Kong-based Soap Cy- to waste. kets are recognising the im- in the 1970s to escape cling, Asia’s first and larg- So when the Singapore plications of climate change Suharto’s regime.”
08 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 FROM FAR LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee team at The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 2019. Through Mindset’s art exhibitions titled “Colours of MINDSET”, many artworks were showcased by persons-in-recovery to raise awareness for mental health. Johnson & Johnson’s employees packing carepacks for frontliners before circuit breaker. In March, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation committed US$50 million dollars to support and care for frontline health workers. formed by Goshen after the in October 2016 in collabo- people have been screened COG Fellowship Programme ration with Singapore Asso- and close to 333,000 people to carry forward its CSR ciation for Mental Health, have been equipped with initiatives. MLH provides job trainings glasses. Sharon Eng, head of Cor- and employment opportuni- “In today’s world, business porate Responsibility and ties in organisations such as has a strong role to be a ‘force Sustainability, Maybank Sin- Mandarin Oriental for men- for good’ and work with all gapore, said: “The collab- tal health persons-in-recov- stakeholders to solve social, oration between Maybank ery to reintegrate back into environmental and public WHEN and ArtSE came as a unique the workforce.” health issues,” said Jayanth opportunity as Maybank Other companies which Bhuvaraghan, chief mission COMPANIES was on the onset of setting are doing their bit to help the officer, Essilor International. MAKE HEALTH up the first branch across its network that combines community include Johnson & Johnson, Hogan Lovells “We are a unique company driven by our mission of ‘im- AN IMPERATIVE a cafe with modern bank- Lee & Lee and Essilor Vision proving lives by improving ing services at the heart of Foundation (EVF). sight’ which drives our strat- Giving back to Orchard Road. Goshen Art In Singapore, mental egy, actions and defines our Gallery was supporting and health is an area that Johnson raison d’être.” the community curating an art exhibition for & Johnson recognised in 2018 Law firm Hogan Lovells by lending their Mr Sim Kah Lim during the that required much-needed intervention. Lee & Lee has been support- ing the Movement for the same period.” business expertise Jack Yu, managing direc- Guillermo Frydman, man- Intellectually Disabled of to various health tor, Goshen Art Gallery, said: “With the setup of ArtSE we aging director of J&J Singa- pore, said: “We identified Singapore (MINDS) since last year. In addition to facilitat- programmes, were able to come across and sought out partnering ing development of MINDS’ many talented artists like Mr organisations to collaborate protocols and policies, the assistance Sim who were facing many and develop effective and firm has also helped MINDS schemes and social challenges with their own sustainable initiatives. Sever- al volunteering programmes navigate the legal complex- ities around the growth of ‘untapped abilities’.” enterprises. According to a 2016 na- through collaboration with its employment development tionwide survey conduct- Caregiver Alliance Limited centre. By Vivien Ang and Singapore Association of Mark Vincent, an associ- ed, one in seven people in vivang@sph.com.sg Singapore has experienced Mental Health have been ate at Hogan Lovells Lee & a mental disorder in their rolled out since.” Lee said: “MINDS is an excel- lifetime. Yet mental health is Uncorrected poor vision is lent organisation, and they an area that is often under- another public health crisis serve clients with intellectual S ingaporean artist served as compared to other with severe social and eco- disabilities across a variety Sim Kah Lim’s paint- social causes. Hence, Jardine nomic consequences – today, of backgrounds and ages. ings celebrate old Matheson Group (Jardines) 2.7 billion, or one in three, We assist MINDS with legal Singapore with yesteryear in Singapore set up Mind- people worldwide suffer from advice and assist in review- landscapes of Boat Quay set in 2011 in response to uncorrected poor vision due ing their arrangements with and Chinatown. But having this gap. to lack of access and aware- third parties.” called the Institute of Men- Ben Birks, chairman of ness. To address this, eyeglass Mr Vincent recalled tal Health (IMH) home for Jardines Mindset Singapore, makers Essilor aims to elimi- when he was invited to visit more than 30 years – these said: “Employment is an nate uncorrected poor vision MINDS’ premises at Alexan- pieces were produced from important part of recovery by 2050. dra, where he saw MINDS’ memory. for mental health persons Hence, its philanthrop- clients busy at work at the His paintings were show- in recovery as it supports ic organisation EVF Asean MINDS’ Bakers’ centre. “I felt cased at MSpace at Maybank their reintegration into soci- spearheads strategic giving happy that the firm’s work is after the bank and Goshen ety. Hence, Mindset Learn- programmes across Asean to facilitating in the contribu- Art Gallery connected at the ing Hub (MLH) is Mindset’s provide free glasses to people tions of these clients to soci- Company of Good Fellow- first flagship project which most in need. Since EVF Ase- ety and the good work they ship Programme. ArtSE was serves this need. Launched an’s launch, over 1.2 million are doing.”
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 09 52% OF COMPANIES IN SINGAPORE ARE CORPORATE GIVERS Here are some opportunities across the social sectors Over 1 in 2 to get your organisation started... Singaporeans are unwilling to live with, live near or work with persons with mental health conditions SECTORS How might we better educate our stakeholders about mental health, and support SUPPORTED BY IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE SECTOR, COMMUNITIES those who are afflicted? CORPORATE GIVERS SUPPORTED BY CORPORATE IN SINGAPORE: GIVERS IN SINGAPORE: 62% 49% 59% of persons with disabilities Social service Elderly (PWDs) do not feel they are 24% 44% socially included, Health Children accepted or given opportunities to e.g. 23% 40% achieve their potential Education Disabled (physical and / or mental) How might we create a more inclusive workplace and 17% 36% develop a culture of equal 473 opportunity to honour all types of abilities? million Self-help groups Low income plastic 17% 19% e.g . disposable items like takeaway containers are Religion Youth ~50,000 consumed 17% 18% Households are living in in Singapore Community / Grassroots Local community public rental flats each year How might we journey How might we reconsider 11% 18% with rental flat families our packaging to create to improve their living less waste? Environment conditions and provide Family sustained holistic support? .g. e 10% 14% Youth Terminally ill 9% 13% e.g . 291,900 women are Sports Women not working due to housework 7% 12% and caregiving responsibilities Arts / Culture Religious community How might we better 5% 7% support women to balance employment and caregiving? Animal Ethnic community 7% Inmates / Substance abusers Sources: [1] National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (2018). Corporate Giving Survey 2017. https://cityofgood.sg/resources/nvpc-corporate-giving-survey-2017-findings-released/ [2] Singapore Environment Council (2018). Consumer Plastic and Plastic Resource Ecosystem in Singapore. https://sec.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DT_PlasticResourceResearch_28A ug2018-FINAL_with-Addendum-19.pdf [3] National Council of Social Service (2018). NCSS Study on Attitudes towards Persons with Mental Health Conditions in Singapore. https://www.ncss.gov. sg/Press-Room/National-Council-of-Social-Service/Press-Releases/Detail-Page?id=NCSS-Launches-First-Nation-Wide-Campaign-to-Fight [4] Tai, J. (2016, June 3). People with disabilities in the spotlight. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/people-with-disabilities-in-the-spotlight [5] Singapore. Parliamentary debates. 18 May 2018. 94. https://sprs.parl. gov.sg/search/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-11 [6] Ministry of Manpower (2020). Report: Labour Force in Singapore 2019. https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Force-In-Singapore-2019. aspx [Note: Caregiving includes Care for Own Children Aged 12 & Below and Care for Families (including Own Children Aged Above 12 & Grandchildren)/Relatives].
10 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 T he term “future- proof” has attained buzzword status in Code, which encourages participants to create solu- tions using open-source Singapore, where “Smart Na- technology. Participants in- tion” initiatives have taken clude startups, academics centre stage over the years. and enterprise developers. HELPING OTHERS RIDE THE In the spirit of driving the adoption of digital and smart IBM Singapore and the Singapore Civil Defence DIGITAL WAVE technologies in this city state, Force (SCDF) launched the many firms are helping so- Lifesavers’ Innovation Chal- Building the next generation of ciety to prepare for future lenge in support of Call for challenges by nurturing “new Code 2020. Participants skilled workers in a Smart Nation collar” workers among the worked on solutions in the through nurturing programmes. youth-at-risk. IBM runs its signature areas of emergency response and civil defence during a 48- By Ng Ren Jye “Pathways in Technology” hour e-hackathon from June rjng@sph.com.sg (P-TECH) programme for 12 to 14. @NgRenJyeBT ITE students interested in The team from the Singa- science, technology, engi- pore Management University neering, and mathematics, won the top prize with their collectively called the STEM idea for a smart evacuation disciplines. The programme, and rescue system powered which takes five to seven by IBM Cloud. years, complements the ITE IBM and Deloitte are and polytechnic curriculum Champions of Good – com- in those areas. panies that have been named The global initiative de- as catalysts of change under buted in Singapore in 2019 a national recognition frame- with its first cohort of 35 stu- work; these companies have Credit: Credit Suisse dents. This year, IBM held its not only been exemplary in Welcome Day on July 24 for a doing good, but have also second cohort of 60 students. been influencers and mul- Nisagon Khongphaiton, tipliers by engaging their corporate citizenship leader partners and stakeholders at IBM Asia-Pacific, said that on a collaborative journey. through P-TECH, IBM ex- Other companies doing poses students to real-world good on the digital front are working environments with local bank UOB and US IT site visits and internships at services company, Cogni- IBM and its industry part- zant. Both teamed up with ners’ offices. the Infocomm Media Devel- The programme also opment Authority in 2018 offers first-in-line job inter- to conduct clinics on digital views for programme par- banking and e-payments for ticipants; potential jobs for more than 400 seniors. graduates range from asso- The bank has been ac- ciate analyst to digital design tively engaging members of developer. the public in recent years to One of P-TECH’s many acquaint them with digital partners is Deloitte. Profes- banking, and the clinics are sionals from its Risk Advi- another such initiative, said sory practice assisted the Janet Young, head of Group programme’s trainers and Channels and Digitalisation more than 30 ITE students in at UOB. workshops on foundational coding knowledge. James Walton, corporate social responsibility leader at Deloitte Singapore, said his company’s participation in FROM TOP: Credit Suisse provided close to 100 volunteers for LinkedIn Coaches P-TECH aligns with Deloitte’s programmes in 2019 and 2020, and they have taken part in over eight LinkedIn societal-impact initiative coaches sessions to date. The LinkedIn Career Coaches was conducted to a crowd of WorldClass, under which the over 170 candidates last October. PwC has also made its Digital Fitness learning app free until July 31, 2021 as part company has committed – of wider initiatives to support individuals and organisations through the Covid-19 by 2030 – to equip 50 million recovery. The app analyses a user’s “Digital Fitness” score to help identify overall individuals with skills they strengths and gaps in knowledge. Users can then select a fitness plan to improve their digital knowledge and subsequently track their learning progress through the app. need for the future. UOB teamed up with Cognizant and the Infocomm Media Development Authority in IBM has another glob- 2018 to conduct clinics on digital banking and e-payments for more than 400 seniors. al digital initiative, Call for
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 11 FROM FAR LEFT: Fullerton Academy is designed to provide youth from low income families with mentorship and apprenticeship in the areas of hospitality and creative arts. Informatics Education and its subsidiaries, Informatics Academy and Informatics Global Campus, have adopted the theme of “Education for All” for the past few years and are continuing to tap their strength in providing IT education to give back to various segments of society. is marginalised youths, a The emergence of the youths by activating their segment which through our Covid-19 pandemic pre- unique strengths. We have initial research and scan of sented unprecedented chal- provided various training the charitable landscape, we lenges for many businesses, workshops which enable the felt was relatively under-sup- including The Fullerton Ho- youths to try out various hos- ported in comparison to tel Singapore, but that has pitality scopes.” children and elderly,” said not stopped the hotel from Also helping this group, Ms Ho. giving back. Informatics Education and CAG has focused its vol- “For example, since April, its subsidiary, Informatics INVESTING IN unteer engagement, partner our culinary team has pre- Academy, have adopted the engagement and corporate pared over 23,000 packed theme of “Education for All” THE FUTURE social responsibility (CSR) meals for healthcare workers for the past few years and programme development and migrant workers in Sin- are continuing to tap their These companies efforts on two primary ben- gapore, and we have donated strength in providing IT edu- aim to level the eficiaries: NorthLight School (NLS) and Metta School (MS). essential supplies including masks and clothes to migrant cation to give back to various segments of society. playing field for Engagements with both workers,” said Cavaliere Allan Norton, chief oper- children and schools aim to prepare the students for the workforce. Giovanni Viterale, general manager, The Fullerton Ho- ating officer, said: “It was an initiative that originated from youths with “NLS has been a bene- tels and Resorts. our efforts to streamline our ficiary since 2014, and we Launched in 2018, The corporate giving efforts into disadvantaged co-develop programmes to Fullerton Academy is a cor- something which is more backgrounds. increase the students’ work readiness, self-esteem and porate social responsibility programme provided by The sustainable and meaningful. The crux of this is to focus on By Vivien Ang confidence. We provide ca- Fullerton Hotel Singapore, education when we are plan- vivang@sph.com.sg reer-related learning experi- designed to provide youth ning our corporate giving, ences within Changi Airport, from marginalised families and tapping our strengths for so students are more ready with mentorship and ap- corporate giving.” for the workforce,” said the prenticeship in the areas of One project under the ini- S tephanie Ho, associ- associate director. Hence, the hospitality and creative arts, tiative includes a partnership ate director, Strategic group partners with compa- equipping them with skillsets with New Hope Communi- Workforce Planning nies such as ABR Holdings to take on careers in the trav- ty Services where the com- & Organisation Transfor- Limited (Swensen’s) and Cer- el and hospitality industry pany conducts IT literacy mation, People Team from tis within the airport to pro- in future. classes and boosts employ- Changi Airport Group, is on vide the students with work The academy offers two ability skills. a Zoom call with a student experience. specific tracks for the youths “It was part of our strate- from Metta School to help She added that pro- from Reach Community Ser- gy to tap existing resources fine-tune the latter’s presen- grammes with Metta School vices. The first track equips for CSR, and thus incor- tation and interview skills. focuses on helping low- youths with skills pertain- porating our business into The practice session on er-functioning students de- ing to the hospitality trade, CSR projects was a natural presentation and interview is velop daily living skills and providing training through extension. With our exper- part of a project that attempts work readiness skills for modular workshops impart- tise in teaching IT to various to pivot from traditional vol- greater independence in ing etiquette, culinary and age groups, we believe that unteering. the future. service skills; and the second this is the best way we can Changi Foundation, the “We remain committed to empowers youths to cultivate give back. As an education- philanthropic arm of Changi our chosen social cause be- their interests in the creative al institution, giving back to Airport Group (CAG), drives cause we are motivated by arts through music and pho- the society and empowering CAG’s community efforts. the potential to spark trans- tography programmes. our people to give back is in- “Established in 2012, the formations in youths,” said Mr Viterale said: “Our mis- grained into our business,” Changi Foundation mandate Ms Ho. sion is simple: To empower the COO said.
12 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 but are also a good way to foster bonds.” In 2019, the courts or- ganised an inaugural Na- tional Day Charity Carnival where judges and staff raised nearly S$90,000 for ORGANISATIONS the Singapore After-Care Association and Food from JOIN HANDS the Heart. The State Courts also have FOR a range of smaller CSR proj- COMMUNITY ects, such as Food for Good and Book Nook. PROJECTS Food for Good was a free food station located in the Collaboration former State Courts’ build- ing. It welcomed donations enables of fresh fruit and vegeta- organisations bles, as well as baked and canned foods. to leverage With the initiative pro- moting the reduction of food each other’s waste, donors – members of resources and the public or employees of the State Courts – are expect- help more people. ed to give still-viable food items, and beneficiaries are By Sharyl Chin expected to take only what they need. State Courts said: “As a C ompanies now view corporate social re- sponsibility (CSR) as public organisation, we strive to contribute to the better- ment of society. Performing a crucial part of their mission, CSR is a meaningful way rather than an afterthought, for us to do so, besides our and many see collaborations core functions.” with other companies as Book Nook was a book a good way to give back station in the former State to society. Courts’ building. It was set up The State Courts is an ex- to encourage people to give ample of an organisation back to society and cultivate that has undertaken collab- a reading habit in children, orations in doing good for its especially those under 10. CSR efforts. Since 2015, the The pre-owned books State Courts, Supreme Court were donations from court and Family Justice Courts staff and members of the have come together yearly to public. The State Courts organise “Judiciary Cares”, or have also been active sup- “JudiCares”, an event to reach porters of the Yellow out to marginalised members Ribbon Project through the of the community. sponsorship of artworks by FROM TOP: Mediacorp and Fairprice collaborate for Share-A-Textbook project. Last November, for exam- inmates and ex-offenders, Mitsubishi collaborated with BCA to paint the Asian Women’s Welfare ple, the event held in support and participation in the Association’s shelters for displaced families. of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Yellow Ribbon run. State Courts National Day Charity Carnival 2019. Singapore (CPAS) raised In 2018, judges and staff S$27,221. Volunteers spent acquired 31 pieces of art, in- half of the day at CPAS, where cluding ceramic pieces and community through small- to turn them into a positive they served brunch and held paintings to be displayed in er-scale initiatives. living environment for these special performances. The the State Courts. Mitsubishi Electric, an families. day ended on a high note as “This was a meaningful electronics manufacturing Winnie Ng, senior corpo- the volunteers accompanied way to show our support for company, teamed up with rate communications exec- the beneficiaries and care- the rehabilitation of inmates the Building and Construc- utive of Mitsubishi Electric, givers on an outing to the and ex-offenders,” State tion Authority (BCA) to paint said: “Collaborating yields a River Safari. Courts said. the Asian Women’s Welfare greater positive social impact The State Courts said: CSR events need not Association’s shelters for as it lets us leverage each “CSR activities not only instil be splashy affairs. Com- displaced families. Volun- other’s resources and opens the spirit of giving and the joy panies can also make a teers cleaned and painted the door to a greater pool of of sharing among our staff positive difference to the the Lengkok Bahru premises beneficiaries.”
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 13 F or many firms in Sin- gapore, setting work hours and having place by September, with em- ployees participating. Expedia Group’s director employees adhere to them of global product manage- is practically an employer’s ment, Ho-Strangas Shyn Yee, right. said the company’s corporate But Adriana Lim Escano social responsibility efforts HELPING MARGINALISED feels differently. The found- er and chief executive officer are aligned with eight of the United Nations’ 17 Sustain- WOMEN RISE ABOVE THEIR (CEO) of fashion and lifestyle able Development Goals, in- cluding gender equality and retailer and distributor Abry CIRCUMSTANCES instead adapts working hours reduced inequalities. to suit the needs of her 19 “Aware is deeply involved A number of firms have adopted staff members, the majority in these areas and has been measures such as flexible timings, of whom are single mothers and elderly women. at the forefront of driving these causes locally... It was mentoring programmes for This group struggles to necessary for us to sup- find employment as they of- port them and their bene- female entrepreneurs to network. ten cannot meet “rigid” tradi- ficiaries during this crisis,” By Rachel Chia tional working hours, Ms Lim she explained. Escano, said. Expedia also runs mentor- rchia@sph.com.sg Elderly sales staff get to ing programmes for margin- @RachelChiaBT alised women entrepreneurs, work shorter hours, while those with heavy family com- working with organisations mitments, such as children such as the Asian Network with special needs or handi- of Women’s Shelters and capped parents, are given ad- Daughters of Tomorrow. ministration and marketing Another company em- tasks. 11 of Abry’s employees powering women entrepre- are sales associates, while the neurs is Dell Technologies, remaining eight are in opera- which hosts its global Dell tions roles. Women’s Entrepreneur Net- But accommodating staff work (DWEN) Summit annu- doesn’t mean sacrificing ally in Singapore. growth. Abry recently se- International legal prac- cured a distribution deal with tice Hogan Lovells has been jewellery brand Thomas a DWEN partner since 2017. Sabo, and is in talks with the Last June, Hogan Lovells DesignSingapore Council, partners advised female National Gallery, and Gar- entrepreneurs at the DWEN dens by the Bay on a new re- summit in Singapore on tail design concept, even as legal strategies to meet their competitors shutter while the commercial objectives, and Covid-19 outbreak ravages provided a complimentary the retail industry. legal toolkit covering key Allowing flexible hours is legal concerns for businesses simply a matter of flexibility, throughout diverse jurisdic- creativity, and planning – as tions. many companies may have “The participants valued discovered during Singa- learning from women entre- pore’s circuit breaker period, preneurs from around the Ms Lim Escano said. world about their journeys She added: “Employers and visions for success,” have formidable means to said Stephanie Keen, Sin- shape a company’s human gapore managing partner, resource policy, so we need to Hogan Lovells. “We valued ask ourselves: where can we the opportunity to en- bend? Since I am the CEO, I gage with and support the will make the hours suitable.” future leaders of business Another company cham- and industry.” pioning for the inclusion of women in the workforce is online travel company Expe- dia, which in March raised a FROM TOP: Hogan Lovells brought together their partners globally and hosted a workshop session on Legal Considerations of the Global Economy at Dell Women’s five-figure sum for Aware’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) 2019 held in Singapore. On the panel (from L to Vulnerable Women’s Fund to R): Ryan Garcia, moderator; Roberta Chang, Partner at Hogan Lovells Shanghai; Stephanie Keen, Partner at Hogan Lovells Singapore; Maegen Morrison, Partner at support women in Singapore Hogan Lovells London; Mahvesh Qureshi, Partner at Hogan Lovells Washington, D.C. affected by the pandemic. A Fundraising for Daughters of Tomorrow through Expedia Travel Wars. second fundraiser will take
14 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER COLLABORATE LEGEND Animal Welfare Arts & Heritage FOR GOOD s our newly conferred Champions Children & Youth Community A of Good 2020 celebrate their achievements, they are not resting on their laurels. Disability Education Leaders in their respective fields, they are already embarking on the next part of their journey in doing good, seeking Elderly Environment to further champion causes that they are passionate about, and inspire more stakeholders to join them in upcoming collaborations that create social impact Families Health on a deeper and longer-lasting scale. Listed in this section are the Champions of Good 2020’s aspirations Humanitarian Social Service and plans in support of their preferred causes, sectors and beneficiary groups. If your organisation advocates for the Sports Women same causes and have the matching & Girls resources to offer, please reach out to the Champions through the contact information listed. Alternatively, you may visit www.companyofgood.sg/collaborate to browse more opportunities, or post your own initiatives. contact@companyofgood.sg
CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 15 CHAMPIONS OF GOOD ABRY Pte Ltd Autobahn Motors (S) Pte Ltd Changi Airport Group Seeks IT, sponsorship and platform On the lookout for CSR/corporate event (Singapore) Pte Ltd support to build Singapore brands, team to initiate Meaningful Sunday event, Creating impact for marginalised while mentoring and supporting and corporate volunteers and sponsored youths through virtual volunteering. marginalised groups. goods/services for mentoring youth. jill.phillips@changiairport.com adriana@abry.co.uk dogood@10sq.io Citi Singapore Alpha Development Partnership Barclays Open to collaborations to empower Pte Ltd Barclays wants to collaborate with charity youth with workplace skills and leadership Specialist training provider looking partners, social entrepreneurs and experts experience under the ‘Pathways-to- to partner financial services firms in digital platforms to support individuals Progress’ programme through charitable which want to link doing good who want to get into the workforce. contributions, grant-making and to leadership/talent/graduate employee volunteerism. development programmes. citizenship.ap@barclays.com jimmy.bh.ong@citi.com jenmacapagal@alphadevelopment.com Boxgreen Pte Ltd Seeks collaboration in areas such as City Developments Limited American Express event management and digital platforms Requires transport, logistical services We back the communities where our to empower ex-offenders through training and volunteers for various initiatives customers and colleagues live by programmes and employment opportunities. while providing support and event space. investing financial and human resources to address social, environmental and economic needs. adeline@boxgreen.co renatan@cdl.com.sg Building and Construction Cognizant sharveenkumar.lokanathan@aexp.com Authority Seeks tech product partnerships, curated Hoping to partner industry professionals tech training content and online digital Amgen Singapore Manufacturing (built environment professionals, platforms to conduct teaching and ASM supports advancing science volunteers) and seeking sponsorship mentoring for future sessions/workshops. education for vulnerable children and to improve infrastructure and staff volunteerism, and is on the lookout living environment. for more of such opportunities. pratibha.kurnool@cognizant.com doreen_ng@bca.gov.sg Credit Suisse AG mediarelations.sg@amgen.com Focus on improving the employability and CapitaLand Limited financial education of marginalised young Ang Chin Moh Funeral Provision of in-kind donations for people and the financial inclusion of Directors Pte Ltd charity partners, along with working marginalised populations. Planning to continue its project, The Last with like-minded volunteers who want Portrait. Besides volunteers, the firm also to advocate for CapitaLand’s causes requires collaborative opportunities with to achieve greater impact. apac.corporatecitizenship@credit- suisse.com music schools and manicurists. clcsr@capitaland.com marketing@angchinmoh.com.sg Carousell Seeks sponsorship and partnership while enabling community to connect with free items and inspire consumers to buy second-hand items over new ones. jingzhi@thecarousell.com
16 CHAMPIONS OF GO OD 2020 CHAMPIONS OF GOOD DBS Bank Dynasty Travel DBS Bank wants to expand the breadth Dynasty Travel is looking for collaboration and scope of its volunteering programmes, in virtual event management, or or to enhance existing initiatives while sponsorship and publicity for its “Towards providing programme and skills-based A Paperless Dynasty” movement. volunteerism. marcom@dynastytravel.com.sg GIC peopleofpurpose@dbs.com Scaling up existing programmes, hence Essilor Vision Foundation seeking partnership opportunities in areas Dell Technologies (EVF Ltd) such as volunteerism, digital platforms Dell is committed to driving human Essilor is scaling up screenings for and thought leadership. progress and wants to collaborate with vulnerable groups, and engaging the partners like influencers to drive digital public with webinars. It is looking for marissalum@gic.com.sg access, and universities to empower partners to improve its communications women in STEM. platforms and IT expertise. Goshen Art Gallery Sourcing for corporate and product jasmine_sim@dell.com grace.chew@essilor.com sponsorship for the provision of more items such as stay-home engagement kits Deloitte Singapore Expedia Group for elderly and special needs group. Deloitte aims to bridge education and On the lookout for volunteers and employment gaps, and seeks resources foundation pairing, and access to large such as digital platforms for e-learning, service user groups while expanding info@goshenartgallery.com training and development expertise its giving and volunteerism platform, while providing volunteers. and awareness building. Grace at Work Teambuilding Sourcing for donation products at lower cost, work space for storages and csim@deloitte.com shkong@expediagroup.com networking opportunities while increasing awareness for CSR opportunities Deutsche Bank EY to organisations. Seeks new partnerships to support EY has plans to roll out skills-based the community through sharing of sessions and would like to collaborate on skills and expertise. events, and seek access to beneficiaries tony@graceteambuilding.com and opportunities to support its causes. Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd db.asiafoundation@db.com Welcomes support from potential givers, kathleen-y.chin@sg.ey.com and requires volunteers for its hydroponic farming project while educating/ FoodXervices Inc Pte Ltd explaining its benefits. Seeks volunteers, sponsorship and transport services as it is actively supporting Food Bank Singapore to eco@greenpac.com.sg distribute excess food to those in need. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Provides IT literacy training and kwoksiang@foodxervices.com community support to the elderly and persons with special needs but is looking for event sponsors and volunteers. tony.gui@hpe.com
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