Singapore Pools extended its support of local social enterprise with the official opening of Personalised Love (PLove) Community Studio at the second-level of Singapore Pools’ Jurong East Branch. This is part of Singapore Pools’ decade-long community initiative that began in 2007 to provide non-profit organisations and social-enterprises at their start-up phase with affordable office space at the second-level of Singapore Pools branches. PLove is the fifth organisation that benefited from this programme.

 

Set up in 2014, PLove is founded by practicing architect and urban planner, Ms Yeo Hwee Khim who decided to leave her professional career behind to give back to the less fortunate in society.

 

PLove specialises in artisanal leather craft and aims to empower special-needs persons through various tailored programs and inclusive employment to realise each individual’s full potential. Youths who graduate from special education schools have limited choices for further training or employment and PLove endeavours to fill the gap in the current pathway by providing customised training and employment for youths with special needs. Through this initiative, PLove hopes to offer career development in a dignified workplace for special needs youths; and engage the youths to improve their life skills and social well-being through social interaction with their colleagues, community and the public at large.

 

Ms Yeo Hwee Khim, PLove’s Founder, shared: “We are very thankful to Singapore Pools for underwriting the 3 years rent-free renewable lease for our community studio to use the second-level of its Jurong East Branch. Singapore Pools also sponsored the renovation to create a conducive and uplifting environment for our special needs artisans, volunteers and employees. Without this support, it would have been impossible for PLove to operate in such a space given the high cost of business operations in Singapore, rental cost being one of the major ones.”

 

“Resource Sharing is one of the pillars of Singapore Pools community engagement initiatives that we endeavor to create shared value with our community partners towards building an inclusive and caring society. We are very happy to provide a space that meets the needs of PLove to advance their social objective of building an equitable society for youths with special needs. Our support for PLove is aligned with our belief in empowering the disadvantaged to create a brighter future for themselves and their families,” said Mr Tay Boon Khai, Senior Director, Compliance, Community & Communications, Singapore Pools.

 

Find out more about Singapore Pools’ resource sharing initiatives here.