Corporate Alliance for Good (CAforGood), a social enterprise is ignited by a conviction that an increasingly inclusive and flourishing society is an achievable reality. Driven by innovation, synergistic collaboration, and powered by technology, we are architects of engaging learning experiences and leadership development, and champions of social-emotional wellness.

More than just an organization, CAforGood is an agent for purposeful and strategic collaboration of enterprises and organizations to address essential learning and social-emotional wellness needs among youths, families, and the often-overlooked under-served communities. We craft and offer innovative solutioning through the dynamic power of technology (immersive AR, transformative VR, and/or intelligent AI) and the synergistic expertise and resources of our partners in business, academia, public and community services.

 

Since our inception in 2021, we have moved beyond mere aspiration to tangible impact, empowering more than 6,000 individuals across diverse demographics. Our commitment is vividly illustrated through two main programs that have been well received within the Singaporean community:

 

1. Community Connectivity, Active Ageing & Digital Literacy: Igniting Social-Emotional Wellness & Digital Empowerment Through Community Trails : In the isolating shadow of COVID-19, we recognized the urgent need to combat loneliness and foster well-being, particularly among our vulnerable communities, especially the seniors. Our community AR trail flagship program, incorporating various learning experiences, blossomed as a vibrant response. Imagine under-served community members from disadvantaged families, and seniors embarking on fun, outdoor exploratory trails. They not just witnessed the beauty of Singapore's iconic landmarks and hidden gems, but experienced their rich history and learn captivating stories brought to life through the magic of Augmented Reality. This dynamic blend of physical activity, cognitive stimulation and joyful connection, reignited and strengthed their social bonds and holistic wellness. This program was particularly well-received by seniors, and with IMDA's help after COVID, we developed and ran DEtIT (Digital Empowerment through Immersive Technology) program for more than 2,500 seniors. These seniors were ushered on fun community trails with the help of an an AR App, learnt and applied cyber safety and AR App navigation knowlege from a pre-trail training workshop. This experience promoted healthy and active aging mindset in seniors, and also helped many overcome the inertia to learn and use technology in a safe manner.

 

2. Weaving a Tapestry of Understanding: Cultivating Cultural Intelligence and Social Cohesion: Recognizing the vibrant multicultural heart of Singapore, we developed another powerful initiative. Supported by MCCY, it aims to foster greater cultural intelligence and social cohension, especially among youth and newer residents. Participants immersed in the beauty of Singapore's melting pot of cultures and heritage through captivating onsite, historic trails (learning journeys) enriched by AR technology. In addition, we create safe spaces for genuine dialogue through a cultural intelligence seminar, where panels and participants from diverse racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds converge to share personal stories, ask probing questions, exchange unique perspectives, and collectively enhance their cultural intelligence.

 

Currently, CAforGood is embarking on an exciting pilot project together with Kampung Palliative Care and partners such as AIC to utilise latest palliative care research findings, best practices, and powerful virtual reality technology to address the psycho-emotional-social needs of palliative patients, and better support their family and institutional caregivers. We have started training around 12 healthcare workers and docters in hospices, and also about 200 pastoral care personnels in the community on the application of such best practices, and where possible, the use of VR tech to facilitate pain management, meaningful reminiscence and necessary legacy dialogues. This holistic approach aims to support palliative patients and their caregivers navigate the patients' last mile journey in a supportive, meaningful and dignified manner.

 

At CAforGood, we believe that building a better future and a more caring society requires more than just good intentions; it demands ingenuity, collaboration, a deep understanding of human needs, and coming alongside the ones we seek to uplift when it matters. Our journey thus far, empowering thousands through innovative programs, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating an increasingly inclusive and flourishing society, be it for the young, the disadvantaged, the vulnerable ones, and the needy families.

 

CAforGood works on a hybrid of the non-profit and social enterprise revenue model. The AR Trails and learning seminar above tapped mainly into close to $500,000 governmental grants from IMDA and MCCY, reimbursed in tranches, mainly in late 2023 and 2024. The AR trails and learning experience services are availabe for corporations and private organsations' internal teambuilding and community engagement. For the AR-enabled palliative care services, the pilot is sponsored by Ngee Ann Kong Si. In due time as the AR palliative service scale, we plan to train caretakers and lease out AR headsets and content, or make them available through sales to public and private hospitals and hospices, community seniors centres and organisations, even families requiring such services.