Charissa, a 26-year-old with mild intellectual disability, joined APSN Centre for Adults in 2019. She lives with her parents in a 3-room HDB apartment. Her father is the sole breadwinner, and her mother is a full-time homemaker and caregiver.

In April 2019, Charissa’s father, previously employed in sales, was diagnosed with end-stage colon cancer. His treatment required frequent medical visits and chemotherapy, quickly depleting their savings. Their situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic when Charissa’s father lost his job, and medical bills continued to accumulate. In dire need of financial aid, her family, guided by our supportive instructors, sought help from our Allied Professionals team.

To support Charissa and her family, we provided aid through our financial assistance scheme, covering her training fees and insurance, as well as transport and meal allowances. We also referred her family to philanthropic entities for groceries and daily necessities.

Beyond financial support, we have equipped Charissa with essential skills for the workforce through vocational training. She has successfully completed the first phase, Exposure Vocational Training, which provides autonomy by exposing trainees to various job industries, and is now in our Specialised Vocational Training programme (Bakery), where she continues to hone her baking skills with industry-relevant equipment.

With your help, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of our trainees, like Charissa. Make a donation today to help build a brighter future for individuals with special needs by empowering them to become active contributors to society and lead independent and fulfilling lives.