Erica Wong
From Sketches to Smiles: How Erica Found Her Strength Through Art
Last updated 22 June 2026
At just six years old, Erica was carrying a weight most adults would find hard to bear.
Her father, the man who once walked her to school, cooked her favourite meals and helped with her homework, was slowly slipping away to dementia. In February 2024, when he was admitted to a nursing home, Erica's world had changed completely.
At home, her mother, Mdm Marife, had taken on the dual role of caregiver and breadwinner. Working long, irregular hours in sales, she often came home exhausted.
"CareNights lifted a huge burden off my shoulders," she shares. "I can focus at work knowing Erica is in good hands. The staff are caring and they treat her like their own."
That peace of mind came from CareNights, the after-school programme Erica joined in 2022. Through structured activities, caring mentors and play therapy, Erica found a safe space to process her emotions and rebuild her confidence.
Today, Erica is a confident, expressive girl who participates eagerly in class, enjoys Mathematics and fills pages with her creations.
With the right support, Erica is learning to navigate change with strength and to find her voice, one step at a time.
About Carenights Programme
The programme provides a safe environment and opportunities to develop children’s socio-emotional skills while parents attend to work or family needs. It partners with social service agencies and SSOs and offers holistic support to the families through family workshops, mentorship and community-building activities.