Mission Impactful: From Responsibility to Impact

“How can I make the world a better place?” I don’t know about you but being big-picture people, our younger selves’ immediate answers to this were grandiose ideas on how to create social change on a large scale eg. starting a social enterprise in the future and engaging stakeholders to ask for policy changes.

These ideas are exciting! But how many of us have the resources to turn something into an overnight success? Even the biggest movements and social enterprises started out in small ways.

Take a step back and consider this. The #MeToo movement went viral because of a single tweet by Alyssa Milano. Food from the Heart, a local charity that currently serves > 53,000 community partners in Singapore, started because a couple read about food wastage in Straits Times and decided to do something about it. The Covid-19 Migrant Support Coalition was formed because a group of everyday folks (including YWLC alumni Renita Sophie Crasta) observed a need and decided to do something about it.

“Think big, start small. But most of all, start.” Each and every one of us has endless potential to bring more goodness to the world. Why don’t we start today?

We’ve compiled a list of resources to assist you in your social impact journey. Starting from this issue, the Social Impact subcommittee will also highlight the great work that our community partners have done, our members’ contributions to society, and suggest more resources in our monthly newsletters.

If you have 10mins, check out Giving.sg for ways to donate and be involved.

If you have 30mins while commuting, check out ChangeMakers Podcast where host Amanda Tattersall travels around the world to speak with people who are trying to change the world and make an impact with their limited capacities.

If you have an hour, check out Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy: Social Inclusion Project to access independent and transparent research on social issues in Singapore (e.g. impact of COVID and minimum income standards) Understanding a social issue is paramount before looking for ways to address it!

If you have a few hours to spare this month, check out UPenn’s Center of Social Impact Strategy to enrol in their online self-paced class on Social Impact Strategy and learn more about their actionable frameworks on social innovation & entrepreneurship.

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This article is part of the Social Impact column by the Social Impact subcommittee that focuses on social causes concerning women and children. Click here to learn more about the subcommittee and its initiatives.

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Authors: Audrey Tim, Nithya Karthikeyan

Editors: Rachel Leow, Joey Ong