LEADING WITH COMMITMENT & DEDICATION | CHLOE'S PATH FROM MENTORSHIP TO LEADERSHIP

Meet one of Beautiful People’s mentors and staunch supporters in its mission, Chloe Liew. She is a mentor for Beautiful People’s flagship mentoring initiative, My Beautiful Life (MBL) with HCSA Dayspring Therapeutic Group Home and a board member for Beautiful People, on top of working full-time in the social sector.

Behind the scenes, Chloe tirelessly dedicates hours to befriending the girls and supporting the coordination of activities for mentees at HCSA Dayspring, often working alongside fellow mentors. She also acts as a guiding light and source of support for new mentors, as a longtime volunteer with years of experience as a mentor.

The Beginning of Chloe’s Mentoring Journey

Chloe’s journey with Beautiful People began in 2015, when she found herself seeking ways to fill the time between working and studying after graduating from university. She found a new channel for her time in mentorship for Beautiful People’s GOOD WORK! campaign where she provided support and counsel to mentees through their internships. She would later go on to become a mentor with MBL, and eventually a board member in 2022, which was a major milestone in her life. Even so, it was not an easy obligation for her to take on.

Nevertheless, Chloe’s unwavering commitment to Beautiful People’s goal persisted. She credits her fellow mentors for their support and keeping her grounded. On the subject of her greater responsibility, she reflects, “It doesn’t matter if I’m a board member or a mentor. Both roles are about building relationships and being present for others.”

Finding Fulfilment In The Journey

Throughout her decade-long journey with Beautiful People, Chloe’s greatest motivator is watching her mentees advance in life, in a parallel journey of growth. One of her mentees started out as a shy and withdrawn individual that grew more confident over time. Eventually, her mentee joined Beautiful People’s Young Leaders as a proactive young woman with the confidence and agency to improve her life through her choices, like committing to the gym and taking up sports.

Chloe is deeply fulfilled by witnessing her mentees’ independent steps in personal growth. To her, this journey extends beyond what she can offer as a mentor; it encompasses what she can learn from her mentees as well.

Naturally, Chloe’s journey with Beautiful People came with its lows as well. At one point, feedback from mentees at HCSA Dayspring ranked Beautiful People lowest during a volunteer review. Realising that they needed to change the way they interacted with the mentees, the mentors collaborated with Dayspring staff to better understand how to engage their mentees. They began to incorporate smaller activities such as watching movies together and bringing snacks, to build trust and show their mentees how much they cared.

Looking Back On Lessons Learned

For Chloe, looking back on the decade spent with Beautiful People within the volunteer leadership experience has opened her eyes to the real meaning of her work. To her, volunteering means showing up and fulfilling commitments, just as a relationship requires. Yet, she emphasises balance in life as well, highlighting the importance of stepping back to avoid burnout.

To anyone hoping to become a mentor with Beautiful People, Chloe advises an open mind to possibilities, and to avoid the trap of overthinking. “Sometimes the best things happen when you allow yourself to embrace new experiences, ” she says. Her journey with Beautiful People proves as much, as seen in the change she has made in her mentees’ lives and the insight she has gained along the way.