Article
Rooted in Care: How Volunteering Shaped Caden’s Belief in Family and Community
22 June 2025
From helping at a community cookhouse as a child to supporting others as an avid volunteer now, Caden’s journey shows how compassion, family bonds, and collective action can create a lasting impact.
17-year-old Caden, who was one of the youngest volunteers at the National Family Festival.
Most 17-year-olds might spend their free time catching up on homework or hanging out with their friends. But for the past three months, Caden had something else on his mind: planning and coordinating over a hundred volunteers for this year’s National Family Festival.
In a bright red shirt with a walkie-talkie clipped to his belt, he glides between booths. One moment, he is teaching parents and children traditional games. In another, he’s checking in with volunteers to ensure their programmes are running without a hitch.
Caden conducting a briefing with a big group of volunteers.
The National Family Festival 2025 is part of this year’s SG60 celebrations. It aims to bring families closer through activities, events and deals. What starts as a fun moment often transforms into lasting memories and meaningful cross-generational exchange.
As one of the youngest volunteer leaders for Families for Life (FFL), Caden is part of a diverse planning team. But his volunteer journey didn’t begin at FFL. It started with a primary school boy tagging along with his mum to help out in a community kitchen.
Caden's volunteering journey
Caden handing out craft materials at a booth.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Caden often followed his mother to Willing Hearts’ soup kitchen, where she volunteered regularly. While the 10-year-old was too young for kitchen duties, Caden helped with easy tasks like pouring sachets into big cooking pots.
Though it could have come across as “boring and mundane work”, the experience opened his eyes to how many people were required behind the scenes, for events and initiatives to run smoothly. Additionally, he saw how passionate volunteers took time out of their busy schedules to pitch in several times a week.
Their commitment and quiet consistency touched him deeply and inspired him to embark on his own volunteering journey.
The importance of family support
Caden and his family, who came down to support the event.
In 2024, Caden started volunteering with his local constituency. One particular conversation with a boy about the same age stuck with him.
“A resident just a little older than me was seeking financial aid for his studies. His parents weren’t there to help with the administrative work. It impacted me because I saw how people my age had to fend for themselves.”
As someone who comes from a tight-knit family, Caden knows that his family always has his back. It’s something he never thought twice about. But that moment made him realise just how different life could be without that safety net.
That was the turning point which pushed Caden towards becoming an FFL volunteer leader, where he plans and leads initiatives that strengthen family bonds.
“I want to play a part in promoting family culture and improving relationships. Hopefully, I can contribute towards ensuring everyone has a family they can rely on.”— Caden
The community spirit that stems from such initiatives
A family enjoying quality time through arts and crafts at the National Family Festival.
At his National Family Festival 2025 Family Carnival, which ran from 31 May to 1 June 2025, families were encouraged to take fun photos and create a digital scrapbook together. They could also choose to play traditional games.
Sometimes, we forget that all it takes is a simple game and a photo together to connect and bond as a family. And it wasn’t just the families – the volunteers also had the chance to forge new friendships and build meaningful bonds with each other. Fostering human-to-human connections with other volunteers was among Caden’s favourite parts about participating in the National Family Festival.
Caden felt empowered when others believed in his plans and brought them to life. The collaborative and creative process of brainstorming ideas for the event also brought him great joy.
“Most of the people I spoke to were a lot older than me. It was a good opportunity to interact with people who are not in my age group. Watching volunteers from all walks of life come together for a common cause and making friends across different ages, races, and backgrounds was really enjoyable.”
For those who are keen on volunteering but unsure where to begin, Caden has one piece of advice: just try it out.
“A lot of the volunteering I do is with the marginalised or underprivileged in society. When I see how our actions have a direct, tangible impact on our beneficiaries, it’s really meaningful.”— Caden
Getting involved, he says, doesn’t have to be complicated.
“Look for volunteering opportunities in schools, online, or on social media pages. It’s very simple to start.”
Caden’s journey proves that age doesn’t define your ability to make a difference. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or simply someone looking to give back, there’s a place for you in the community.
Feeling inspired? Find out more about the events organised by Families for Life and how you can play a part in volunteering at one of their events! Or, visit giving.sg to find a volunteering opportunity towards a cause you care about.