Stories

Every family has a story of resilience. For 71-year-old Mr J*, strength meant being the sole breadwinner, working steadily as a chauffeur to support his wife and three young sons. But in 2017, an unexpected stroke changed their story entirely.

Mr J, 71, lives with his wife, and their three young sons aged 9, 7, and 5 in a 2-room rental flat. He was formerly a chauffeur, escorting foreign dignitaries and was the sole breadwinner of the household. However, his circumstances changed after suffering a stroke in 2017.

Since then, the family has relied on Mr J’s CPF payouts, social assistance from MUIS and the Social Service Office. With a combined monthly household income of about $1,700 ($340), the family struggles to make ends meet amid rising living costs. His biggest concern is not having enough to financially support his children.

In January 2024, a referral to Yong-en Care Centre brought a turning point. Through the PantryPlenish, BreadWalk, and FreshFood programmes, the family began receiving reliable access to essential groceries. Slowly, the heavy pressure of putting meals on the table began to ease.

But true community care reaches across generations. Recognising that Mr J’s sons, now aged 9, 7, and 5, needed more than just meals to thrive, Yong-en enrolled them in its Reading Programme, Happy Readers. The eldest, having spent his early years in Indonesia, had been finding it hard to adjust to the local school system.

Today, Mr J sees undeniable growth in his children. His boys are speaking better English, engaging more confidently with peers, and exploring the world through Yong-en’s holiday enrichment excursions.

While daily challenges remain, the family now faces them with newfound stability and hope.

“I want the best for my family,” Mr J shares with quiet gratitude. “Thank you to Yong-en for always helping us.”

For the family, strength is found in continuing to move forward despite hardship. Growth is seen in the children’s gradual progress, in their learning, confidence, and ability to settle into a new life. Together, they reflect how community support can help one generation stay strong, while the next begins to grow.