Welcome to Tak Takut Kids Club — where children find courage, community, and a place to thrive!
The Good Gang in the Neighbourhood
Overview
Tak Takut Kids Club (TTKC) is a community space in the neighbourhood dedicated for children and youth from vulnerable backgrounds. It is the "good gang in the neighbourhood" where young persons can easily find a supportive community to connect, grow and thrive! Our pilot centre is located in Boon Lay, and our second centre is scheduled to open in Lengkok Bahru in 2025.
TTKC welcomes children aged 7 to 14, focusing on fostering a sense of belonging, building social-emotional confidence, and equipping them with essential life skills. As they grow older, youth aged 13 and above begin developing leadership skills and are encouraged to serve as positive role models for younger members of the community. Those interested in continuing their contributions to the community can explore opportunities for training and internships.
'Tak Takut' means 'no fear' in Malay, reflecting our hope for every child to find the courage to reach their fullest potential. Since 2021, TTKC has touched the lives of 500 children in Boon Lay.
Mission
Pillar 1: Co-create a child-centric ecosystem to strengthen social support.
Pillar 2: Empower children to discover their fullest potential.
Values
Trust, Teamwork, Knowledge, Care
Vision
Safe, happy and sustainable communities where children can connect, grow, and thrive.
Origins
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Children from vulnerable backgrounds often come from families where relationships are disrupted, and caregivers are finding stability — a long process that can take years or more. During their formative years, where will children find stable, supportive relationships? A community must be developed within the neighbourhood to meet the children where they are. TTKC is the ‘good gang in the neighbourhood’ for children to connect, grow and thrive.
~ Lin Shiyun, Founder
TTKC began in 2019 as a social experiment in Boon Lay, inspired by Founder Lin Shiyun to create a community space with children in rental flat neighbourhoods. After three years of practice-based research at the playgrounds, Shiyun saw the potential for community-driven approach to make a difference to the children's lives. A small shop space alongside a laundromat was rented to pilot the social experiment (see pic).
By 2021, TTKC's effort was recognised by the Singapore government and Adviser for Boon Lay, Minister Desmond Lee. This led to a partnership with ComLink@Jurong West, local grassroots and expansion of engagement spaces for the community. These collaborations opened doors for TTKC to work closely with schools, grassroots organisations, and social service agencies, laying the foundation to build a child-centric ecosystem.
After 3 years spent with the community, TTKC identified the ripe opportunity to drive behavioural change. Its programmes expanded to promote community health and improve numeracy skills, achieving success with the strong relationships and deep understanding cultivated within the community.
TTKC’s journey continues to be shaped by the needs and dreams of the children and families we serve, as we build stronger, child-centred communities together. For a fuller understanding of our journey, please refer to the writing “A Journey in Strengthening Communities” by Shiyun.
Service Model
Not just a drop-in centre, Tak Takut Kids Club (TTKC) provides tailored support to the children in the community, who have varying strengths, needs, and challenges. Using the Response-To-Intervention (RTI) model (see left), we provide targeted interventions to those requiring additional assistance, ensuring that every child can flourish and not fall through the cracks.
our goals
Mission 1: Co-create a child-centric ecosystem to strengthen social support
At the heart of TTKC’s service model is a commitment to building a child-centric ecosystem, so that our social support system is strengthened to meet the needs of children from vulnerable backgrounds.
By positioning ourselves as a key player in the microsystem, TTKC engages the community 20 hours a week. This helps us understand each child’s unique needs and experiences and allows TTKC to serve as an effective bridge, facilitating interventions between the child and professionals in the exosystem who may lack the capacity to build close relationships with the child. TTKC also actively highlights community issues in its annual public art presentations, advocating for children's voices to be heard in the macrosystem to highlight the lived realities and issues children face.
Mission 2: Empower children to discover their fullest potential
Guided by a motivation theory framework, we focus on nurturing three essential aspects of a child’s development: autonomy, relatedness, competencies. This framework helps us to prioritise scaffolding of child's motivation in learning to best support those who struggle with poor self image and social skills.
Our supporters
Strategic Development
Community Casework
Lai Yu Hua Kindness Lit Fund
Community Health
Community Building
Community Arts
We invite passionate volunteers to join our Good Gang in the neighborhood! Whether you're spending time with our children or supporting behind the scenes, every contribution plays a vital role in creating a safe and nurturing space where children can connect, grow, and thrive within a close-knit community.
As a volunteer, you'll be part of a supportive network that values self-development in areas such as child development, engagement, child protection practices, and operational support.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us—whether directly with children or in other capacities—once a week for a minimum of 4 months, sign up here!
