For many children growing up in public rental housing, stigma and limited opportunities can affect how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.
Last November, 60 personalities and organisations, some joined by their families, joined forces for “60 Lights, One Future”. Organised by Peace of Art (Sustainable Markets SG), it seeks to help these youngsters thrive, through the Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts programme. Each “Light” raised $6,000 to support a beneficiary, and the campaign has brought in more than $400,000 in total.
The Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts programme centres on three areas. Education provides free tuition and learning resources. Enrichment builds skills such as digital literacy. And Excursions takes them to new places and experiences.
Aisha Hillary-Morgan and Venetia Gu, co-founders of Atelier V&A and its Creative Director and Interior Designer respectively; Jasmine Chong, founder of Lab Studios and LabX; and Nana Au-Chua, Chief Operating Officer of Million Lighting Co Pte Ltd share what drew them to the cause. Plus, how giving has shaped the way they approach their own work.
Why was it important for you and your team to contribute to 60 Lights, One Future?
Aisha Hillary-Morgan & Venetia Gu [AHM & VG]: Design, at its core, is about connection and functionality. Everything we create must serve a purpose, whether it is to bring beauty into a space, spark emotion, or make life a little more meaningful. When we first heard about “60 Lights, One Future”, it felt like an extension of that belief that beauty and purpose should coexist. Creating something with our hands that can spark hope for a child is deeply personal. We wanted to show that design can go beyond aesthetics; it can be a vessel for compassion and community.
Jasmine Chong [JC]: We want to create impactful and sustainable change. By contributing, we are not just changing one child’s life; we are planting a seed that can positively impact future generations. Real transformation begins with one life touched, one opportunity given, and one story rewritten.
Nana Au-Chua [NAC]: It was important for my kids and me to take part because we believe that giving back begins at home. I wanted my children to understand that even a small act of kindness can brighten someone else’s path. Through this project, they learned the value of empathy and the power of community, realising that we all have a role in shaping a more compassionate world.
The Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts programme supports children from neglected environments and who live in public rental housing. What about this programme are you most passionate about?
AHM & VG: Mentorship and enrichment. Every child deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to explore their creativity. Having grown up in environments where imagination and resourcefulness were part of daily life, we know how transformative it can be when someone takes the time to nurture curiosity. Mentorship is not just guidance; it’s creating space for a child to imagine more for themselves.
JC: Education and mentorship. Education equips children with the hard skills to break out of the poverty cycle, but mentorship provides the soft skills and emotional guidance to help them navigate a world they were not given the tools to understand. Mentorship means having a trusted adult presence which is something often missing in a neglected child’s life and that can make all the difference.
NAC: I am most passionate about mentorship because it offers guidance, encouragement, and hope. A good mentor can change a child’s perspective, build confidence, and help them see possibilities beyond their circumstances.
What long-term impact do you hope your contribution brings?
AHM & VG: We hope our small gesture becomes part of a larger ripple inspiring more people to give their time, share their skills, and open creative doors for young minds. If even one child discovers their potential through art, design or storytelling, then we have contributed to something lasting. The light may begin small, but it can illuminate a path that leads to confidence, creativity and community.
JC: That one child grows up to become an impactful individual—someone who uplifts others and continues the good work. True change happens when one life transformed becomes the light that leads others toward hope and purpose.
NAC: I hope our contribution helps create a supportive environment where children feel seen, heard, and inspired. In the long term, I wish for them to grow into adults who believe in themselves, make positive choices, and eventually pay that kindness forward to others in need.
As a child, what challenges did you have to overcome? How did that inspire you to give?
AHM: I grew up in a family with an adopted brother and two sisters. We visited orphanages in India when I was a child and those experiences shaped my understanding of compassion and the importance of belonging…reminding me that real change takes time and community. Supporting “60 Lights, One Future” feels like closing that circle, giving locally, where small acts of care can spark a lasting light.
VG: Growing up in Singapore, academic achievement was everything. I often felt unseen because I could not excel in what truly came naturally to me, creating. “60 Lights, One Future” reminds me of that younger version of myself, wanting to grow in my own way, wishing there had been more space and support to do so. That is why this cause resonates deeply.
JC: For me, the challenge was mentorship particularly in the form of guidance and therapy…Growing up, such support wasn’t readily available to me. Being diagnosed with ADHD later in life made me realise how much earlier intervention could have helped me navigate life with less anxiety and more self-understanding. Every child deserves access to guidance and support so they can grow up whole, in love, joy, and peace.
NAC: Growing up, I did not always have access to mentors who could guide me through my choices or help me see my potential. I had to learn through experience, often the hard way. This taught me how valuable mentorship is for a young person trying to find direction, and it inspired me to give so that others may receive the support I once needed.
What is the community you seek to build, and why is helping underprivileged youths crucial to this work?
AHM & VG: At Atelier V&A, we are building a community where creativity is shared, not gated, a place where young designers, artisans and dreamers feel inspired and supported. We want to make design and craftsmanship accessible, something people can touch, learn from and aspire to. Helping underprivileged youths is vital because they are the next generation of storytellers and makers. When they are given a space to explore, they not only create, they begin to see that beauty, opportunity and purpose are within reach.
JC: I hope to build a community that values growth of the spirit, soul, and body—a space where people can have open, honest conversations about life’s struggles and still choose to overcome. Helping underprivileged youths is central to this vision because confidence, self-worth, and belonging are formed in childhood. When we invest in these young lives, we don’t just help them survive. We empower them to thrive.
NAC: I hope to build a community rooted in compassion, understanding, and shared purpose—where people uplift one another and believe in collective progress. Supporting underprivileged youths is vital because they are our future, and with guidance and opportunity, they can grow into confident, capable individuals who give back to society in their own ways.
Finally, how does giving back influence your company culture?
AHM & VG: Giving back is woven into everything we do. From choosing local makers and reclaimed materials to mentoring emerging talent, our studio runs on the belief that creativity carries responsibility. Gather in Light, the name of our “60 Lights” initiative, reflects that movement of coming together and giving. It reminds us that light multiplies when shared. Giving is not separate from design; it is part of the process of making something meaningful.
JC: Giving is the why of our business. Everything we do stems from the belief that business is a form of service of giving our best to others. When we give, we receive purpose. It drives excellence in how we show up and reminds us that our work is not just about profit, but about the lives we touch and the impact we create.
NAC: Giving back has become a part of our family’s identity. It reminds us to stay grounded, grateful, and mindful of others. It also creates meaningful conversations with my children about empathy, resilience, and purpose. Together, we learn that true happiness comes not from what we receive, but from what we can share.
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