Cover Halogen Charity Golf is a biennial fundraiser of the non-profit organisation
Halogen Charity Golf is a biennial fundraiser of the non-profit organisation
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This year’s event sees CIMB Singapore as its presenting sponsor—and an advocate in the cause of empowering youth
It all started with a mission to inspire young people to create positive change in their communities. Now, more than 20 years later, Halogen Singapore has impacted the lives of around 230,000 Singaporean youths through its work—and this would not have been possible without the support of its larger community.
“We really rely on a community of like-minded [individuals and organisations] who believe in the potential of young people and see the need to do the pre-emptive work with youths from all walks of life,” says Halogen Singapore chief executive officer Ivy Tse. “We want our young people to be equipped with the right character, mindsets and soft skills to be able to lead themselves, lead others, and lead change in their communities."
Some of its programmes, which are fully funded for youth participants, include the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme, or NFTE (pronounced “nifty”), for those aged 15 to 17 and studying in the normal academic or normal technical streams in neighbourhood schools; and the Elements Mentoring programme for those navigating the transition from school to work.
Above The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme culminates in a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, where the top three students of each school pitch their business ideas (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme culminates in a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, where the top three students of each school pitch their business ideas (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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And then there is the National Young Leaders Fellowship, for those aged 15 to 19, who seek to nurture young leaders and change-makers to enhance their capacity to lead change. “Selected for their passion in creating a positive impact on their communities, and their leadership potential to lead others in enacting change, our fellows are youths who have shown that they have a vested interest in making a difference,” Tse explains.
“Our mission isn’t just about creating numerous programmes; it’s also about fostering a wider community of youth advocates across different sectors, encouraging partners to consider developing their youth development frameworks.”
One such platform for the non-profit organisation to do just that is its fundraisers, including the upcoming Halogen Charity Golf event on October 30, which will be held at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course, and will end off with a dinner programme. “They provide touchpoints for us to engage with our private sector partners from a CSR (corporate social responsibility) perspective, a funder’s standpoint, or a practitioner’s viewpoint,” Tse adds. “In Singapore, the definition of youth extends up to the age of 35, so we certainly have a large captive audience in need of our support. We need everyone in the ecosystem to contribute towards nurturing our next generation of young people.”
Above The definition of youth extends up to the age of 35 in Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
The definition of youth extends up to the age of 35 in Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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In case you missed it: Halogen Foundation Singapore raises over $850,000 at its 20th anniversary gala dinner
Empowering young people is a cause that resonates with CIMB Singapore. While the bank has supported some of the previous iterations of Halogen’s fundraising initiatives, it decided to go further this year by becoming the presenting sponsor of the Halogen Charity Golf.
CIMB Singapore chief executive officer Victor Lee Meng Teck says, “By partnering with Halogen, CIMB looks to further our social cause by empowering young people with skills to navigate their futures. We hope to extend this opportunity to underserved youth communities, helping them to build the confidence and skills that would benefit them in the future.”
CIMB currently works with more than ten beneficiaries under its CSR programme, covering vulnerable and disadvantaged families, seniors, children and youth.
Above Some of the participants from Halogen's Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
Some of the participants from Halogen's Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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It is this sense of purpose [within the organisation], Lee says, that resonates with CIMB staff. He elaborates on the bank’s EPICC culture of enabling talent; passion; integrity and accountability; collaboration; and customer centricity.
“People are our greatest assets,” Lee enthuses. “We enable our employees to develop their talent and achieve their potential, which is critical for the bank’s growth ambitions. Over the past two years, we have been consistently growing our top-line revenue at over 30 per cent—and that’s now being watched by our competitors.”
Within CIMB, these efforts are bearing fruit. “We were placed in the top quartile in an Organisational Health Index conducted by McKinsey & Company and benchmarked across the banking industry,” Lee shares. “We were also recognised as one of the Best Companies to Work For in Asia 2023 by HR Asia, and certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’. Our staff attrition rate is also one of the lowest in the industry.”
This investment in its people aligns with Halogen’s mission to empower youths to lead oneself, lead others and lead change. Thus, Lee shares, “we seek to build our talent pipeline for the organisation, society and community in the long run”.
Above Some of the participants from Halogen's the Elements Mentoring programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
Some of the participants from Halogen's the Elements Mentoring programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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Halogen’s work also speaks to Singapore’s Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, who will be the guest of honour at the charity golf event. “What resonates with me most about Halogen’s work is its holistic approach to empowering youth. Inspiring youth to drive change is one thing, but sustaining their commitment and action is even more challenging,” he says.
“Halogen’s focus on building an ecosystem of support—through mentorship, strategic partnerships and access to resources—gives youth the tools and connections they need to not just start initiatives, but to see them through and make a lasting impact in their communities.”
Seah counts mentorship as playing a crucial role. He cites Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who shared in his recent National Day Rally speech that strong mentors, such as the guidance he [PM Wong] received from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and others, can be transformative.
“Effective mentorship offers both emotional support and access to valuable resources, helping young people overcome challenges and broaden their horizons,” Seah says. “The right mentor will leave a lasting impact on a youth’s personal and professional growth, empowering them to fully realise their potential.”
Above The interns at Halogen Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
The interns at Halogen Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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When asked about the potential he sees in the youth in Singapore today, Seah says, “Many of us tend to underestimate our own capabilities and what we can achieve. In fact, I am very optimistic of Singapore’s youth and their ability to shape our nation’s future. They are uniquely positioned with numerous opportunities to influence the direction of our society and to build the Singapore they envision. With the various platforms available for young people to step forward and make meaningful contributions, I’m confident they will not only match but surpass the achievements of previous generations.”
Echoing the same sentiments, Lee shares, “In my generation, it was just about coming out to the workforce and making money. The millennials and Gen Zs are far more balanced. They care about the world, the society we live in, as well as sustainability and the environment. I think organisations that don’t have strong vision statements on sustainability, or don't have a culture and values that resonate with the young people, would not be able to attract top talents in the future."
Above The interns at Halogen Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
The interns at Halogen Singapore (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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The future and beyond
Besides helping to build its ecosystem, Tse says that Halogen’s fundraising initiatives will enable the organisation to develop new programmes and initiatives that can serve young people from various underserved communities. It is also building up its capabilities to measure programme outcomes and track how some of them contribute to the larger narrative of enhancing social mobility.
This year, the organisation also expanded its reach beyond Singapore to the region. “Over the past year, Halogen has connected with partners across the region, which has enabled us to bring ten outstanding Asean young changemakers to Singapore to join NYLF, our flagship programme,” Tse shares.
The 2024 NYLF cohort comprises 30 local fellows and 10 Asean fellows hailing from Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Each a young changemaker in their own right, the fellows have shown promising leadership qualities and their passion projects address diverse issues pertinent to their communities.
Above A cohort of the National Young Leaders Fellowship, Halogen's flagship programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
A cohort of the National Young Leaders Fellowship, Halogen's flagship programme (Photo: Halogen Singapore)
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They include Quynh Dang (Chau) from the University of Economic and Law in Vietnam, who co-founded youth-led start-up A.L.I.S, which utilises technology to uplift the deaf community; Reach Rattana (Vatey) from the Methodist School of Cambodia, who champions female representation in STEM; and Ameya Meattle from United World College South East Asia in Singapore, who founded Earth First, which partners with multiple NGOs to train visually impaired individuals in crafting eco-friendly products, bridging the gap between sustainability and inclusion.
“Their diverse backgrounds bring along unique perspectives and experiences that will undoubtedly enrich the fellowship journey of the 2024 cohort,” Tse enthuses.
Reflecting on his own leadership journey, Lee shares this piece of advice for young leaders: “A lot of it is passion—and being focused, disciplined and determined. But nothing beats hard work, and also having good mentors along the way that I've consulted, reflected and pivoted with.”
As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
