“Youths Embrace Social Service” (“YES²”) 2008 is a project brought to you by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and supported by the National Youth Council (NYC) and The Straits Times IN.

The objectives are to:

All projects must be social service in nature or have an impact on the social service sector e.g. low-income families, delinquent youths, people with disabilities and lonely elderly. For a list of social services, please log onto www.ncss.org.sg.

Projects should not have inflammatory or discriminatory religious or racial elements, or political agenda, or be contrary to the interest of the community and society at large.

Projects are to be submitted according to the following categories:

Fundraising

The team will identify a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO), assess the needs of the VWO and embark on a fundraising project where the funds raised will be used to benefit the target beneficiary group.

E.g. Students from Methodist Girls’ School organised a carnival - ‘SOS Open Day’, where SOS stands for Student’s way, Open day and Shout and say, to raise funds for and increase public awareness of the Andrew and Grace Home, a non-profit organisation that provides shelter and counselling for troubled girls and battered wives.

Volunteering

The team will identify a VWO, assess its needs and volunteer their services or skills at the VWO to benefit the target beneficiary group.

E.g. Students from ITE College West (Bt. Batok) set up a hydroponics system to replace the herbal and vegetable garden at the Yuhua Neighbourhood Link for the elderly residents, as soil gardening was problematic for the elderly. They designed a system at the lowest cost possible, using recycled materials wherever possible, sought funds and completed the project. They have also put together an education programme to let residents know more about hydroponics.

Public Education

The team will identify an issue of concern pertaining to the target beneficiary group and execute a communications campaign that will raise the level of awareness amongst youths.

Teams will be shortlisted to present their projects before a panel of judges with various expertise and from different industries.

Presenting teams shall be judged according to the following criteria:

All “YES²” 2008 projects are eligible to apply for grant funding of up to $3,000 from NYC’s Young ChangeMakers (YCM) Scheme. Applications are to be directed to NYC by sending in the completed application form, together with your project proposal, through mail and email. You can also apply for the grant through the YCM website.