This article was contributed by Hon Liang Yi, APAC Corporate Responsibility Manager.
She was Clarence’s nominator for the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards (PVPA) 2024.
A Full-Circle Moment
As someone who has spent much of my career driving corporate responsibility, I have come to believe that true changemakers are those who not only dream big but also roll up their sleeves and get to work. That’s exactly who Clarence Ching is – and why I nominated him for the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards (PVPA) 2024.
My connection with PVPA goes back over a decade to when I interned and worked at the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). So when the opportunity arose to nominate someone, it felt deeply personal to submit on behalf of someone I respect and admire.
Liang Yi (left) with PVPA 2024 Leaders of Good (Youth) category winner, Clarence Ching (right)
A Leader who Walks the Talk
Clarence (second from left) at the Social Mobility Summit
Clarence, to me, truly exemplifies what it means to be a force for good. He is the founder of Access Singapore, a social mobility charity providing career exposure opportunities for disadvantaged students in Singapore. They partner with both global and local companies to offer an early touchpoint for career exploration and mentorship so that financially, socially, or academically disadvantaged youths can have an equal opportunity to thrive in their future careers. Clarence has grown the organisation from just 20 volunteers to over 150, and scaled its reach to more than 1,300 students in 2024.
What’s remarkable isn’t just the numbers – it’s the strategy, the passion, and the authenticity behind them. Clarence has consistently championed meaningful, structural conversations around social mobility. From launching the #WeWriteOurRules campaign—a social media initiative that spotlighted diverse success stories featuring Ronny Chieng—to hosting the Social Mobility Summit, his efforts have made a tangible impact. The summit brought together over 450 guests, including corporate partners, to deepen understanding and engagement on the issue of social mobility.
Watch Clarence’s journey of empowering youths here:
A Well-Deserved Recognition
The nomination process itself was seamless, thanks to the collaborative spirit of the Access team. Their commitment to tracking their impact and staying close to the community helped craft a strong, evidence-based narrative. Clarence’s contributions, both before and through Access, told a compelling story of vision, consistency, and growth.
When I heard Clarence was selected as a PVPA winner by a judging panel, I was not surprised – he was an incredibly strong candidate. But I did feel deeply proud. His recognition is not just a personal achievement; it is a validation of the cause he has championed and a spotlight on the importance of social mobility in Singapore.
A Moment that Stuck with me
One moment that truly captured the impact of Clarence’s work happened during a four-month mentoring programme I helped run during 2022 in partnership with Access. I recruited ten mentors to mentor a group of 15-year-olds, and we all had doubts about whether we could make a difference in such a short time. But at the end, we saw real transformation in the lives of these youths.
Access believes in investing in the next generation of students in Singapore
At the graduation lunch, the students were happily chatting with their mentors – trusting them, opening up, and showing newfound clarity in their aspirations. That was the moment I knew: Clarence and Access had hit the mark. They had inspired confidence, connection, and belief in a better future.
Why Recognition Matters
It is important to recognise people like Clarence – not just for the hard work they put in, but because such recognition amplifies their cause. In a world full of challenges and bad news, these stories offer much-needed hope and inspiration. They remind us that we can make good things happen.
I hope this award – and Clarence’s journey – inspires others. Many PVPA awardees started from scratch. They saw a problem, rolled up their sleeves, and found a way to make change happen. Their stories can create ripple effects, encouraging others to think, “Maybe I can do something too.”
Giving Back – Personally and Professionally
This experience deepened my own views on giving back. I have seen Clarence’s impact both as a friend and as a nonprofit partner, and I have learnt that meaningful giving is not just about resources – it is about shared purpose and collaboration.
Access shaped my understanding of social mobility. With the support of corporate partners like SHEIN and Linkedin among many others, they built innovative programmes together. It is a strong partnership, and it has taught me that giving back is most powerful when it is done together.
Working with LinkedIn to organise a programme for youths
Just Do It – Nominate Someone
To anyone considering nominating someone in the future: just go for it. Submit an entry here. Send them what you wrote. It’ll make their day – whether they win or not. And if they do win? Their story might just inspire the next person to take action too.
