Measuring What Matters: Cultivating Connection and Comfort Through 100 Wishes

In a data-driven world focused heavily on measurable outcomes, impact is often reduced solely to numbers. Yet, the most meaningful progress and deepest transformations often occur quietly—through shared joy, psychological safety, and authentic human connection.

100 Wishes is a YWLC social impact programme that aims to uplift vulnerable women and children navigating transition and hardship. From January to June 2026, the 100 Wishes team worked closely alongside community partners such as Star Shelter and SHINE Children & Youth Services to design dedicated spaces for our beneficiaries.

Through intentional workshops and wellness excursions, these initiatives provided vital opportunities for participants to exhale, recharge, and find comfort.

Feeling supported and taking an intentional pause is increasingly needed in an ever-volatile world. Small moments of shared vulnerability and having the space to step back from everyday challenges matter more than we think. Ultimately, 100 Wishes Wellness events aim to restore dignity, spark hope, and remind individuals that they are not alone.

This vision came to life through three cornerstone initiatives this past cohort:

1. A Breath of Fresh Air: Wellness Walk at River Wonders (24 May 2026)

YWLC Volunteers reporting early at River Wonders at Mandai Wildlife Reserve

To encourage mindfulness and an appreciation for nature, eleven 100 Wishes volunteers accompanied 36 women and children on an immersive learning journey through River Wonders. Stepping away from the bustle of daily life, both adult and child beneficiaries engaged in curated mindfulness activities, returning to the simple joy of being present.

"After the event, I felt joyful and excited. One thing I discovered today is to slow down even when my son is hurrying me. Thank you so much for taking the time out to accompany us.”

— River Wonders Wellness Beneficiary

2. Navigating the Digital World: Anti-Scam Resilience Workshop (19 June 2026)

Images of beneficiaries have been anonymised to protect their privacy.

In collaboration with Bamboo Builders, YWLC hosted a digital resilience workshop tailored for 9 SHINE participants aged 10–13. Facilitated by Ayrial Moh and three 100 Wishes volunteers at SHINE’s clubhouse, the session focused on raising critical awareness around online safety, cybersecurity, and relationship scams in an engaging, youth-friendly format.

“Thank you for today. It was fantastic. I learnt about the red shield scam and I feel more confident of staying safe online and using tools and apps.”

— Resilience Workshop Beneficiary

3. Inspiring Futures: SHINE Career Quest (27 June 2026)

Nurturing the next generation of changemakers, six YWLC volunteers stepped up to offer their unique professional journeys at SHINE’s Career Quest 2026. In an intimate "Human Library" format, volunteers provided career mentorship, industry insights, and inspiration to a cozy group of 12 youth beneficiaries, sparking curiosity about their future aspirations.

YWLC Volunteers with SHINE staff at SHINEs Career Quest 2026

Reflections from Our Volunteers: Growth in Giving

More than delivering value to beneficiaries, our 100 Wishes volunteers find that they gain just as much as they give. By stepping outside their comfort zones, members exercise deep empathy, self-leadership, and self-awareness, learning firsthand that everyone has something meaningful to contribute.

Here are some perspectives from our organising committee on the impact of these sessions:

“During the workshop, I noticed many of the girls were on their phones, even as the trainer worked hard to keep them engaged. It made me realise that for some youths, a phone can become a companion, filling in when attention and connection aren't always there in everyday life. The problem is that being online so much also makes it easier to encounter scams and people with bad intentions. That's why helping the girls stay safe online is so important, and so is understanding why they turn to their phones in the first place.”

—  Andrea, YWLC 100 Wishes Programmes Organiser

“I was struck by how the girls were willing to share experiences that many adults would dismiss as “just online games.” Yet behind these stories were real interactions with strangers, moments of uncertainty, and potential risks that extended beyond the screen. The session made me reflect on how important it is for adults to take young people's online experiences seriously. What may seem insignificant to us can be a meaningful or even unsettling experience for a child. It made me wonder how often such experiences remain unspoken, simply because they may not know when or how to bring them up.”

— Zin Zin, YWLC 100 Wishes Programmes Organiser

Join the Journey

If you believe in creating impact through connection and understanding, we invite you to be part of this journey with YWLC 100 Wishes.

Reach out to impact@ywlc.org.sg or visit www.ywlc.org.sg/100-wishes to learn more.

Partners:

River Wonders Wellness:  Mandai Wildlife Reserve as ticket sponsor and Design SG for discounted tickets

Resilience Workshop: Bamboo Builders as programme partner

SHINE Career Quest: SHINE for being the main organiser

Author: Deborah Tan

Editor: Nyx Chong