Finding Life's Missing Piece: Johanna's Journey from Corporate Success to Community Impact at Dream2Story
Together with Time Auction, the Lifestyle International Charity Fund recognizes outstanding volunteers who have made significant contributions to education and youth development in Hong Kong. Meet one of our Kindness Heroes who exemplifies the spirit of transforming young lives through mentorship and community building.
Meet Johanna - From Finance to Community Building
With a background in finance and banking, Johanna Heung found a new calling when she became a mother. Her journey into volunteering began with extensive involvement in schools and PTAs, taking on various roles from parent representative to event organizer.
About Dream2Story
Dream2Story is an organization focused on empowering young people from low-income families who are not pursuing tertiary education. They connect these youth with corporate professionals, helping them rediscover their dreams and incorporate them into their life stories.
A Journey of Growing Impact
What started as an application to be a Dream2Story Mentor evolved into something much more significant. Recognizing her expertise in events organization, Dream2Story invited Johanna to focus on helping deliver various aspects of their Foundry programme. Now, she serves as the volunteer Community Development Lead, connecting with people and expanding D2S's community of alumni and mentors.
Navigating Challenges
One of the main challenges Johanna faced was pioneering new initiatives within the Foundry programme. With the 2024 programme being significantly larger than previous years, she had to reimagine many aspects of the events, from venue selection to coordinating multi-day activities. Through collaborative teamwork and creative problem-solving, these obstacles were transformed into opportunities for growth.
An Unforgettable Moment
One of Johanna's most memorable experiences was working with a team of Form 5 students on their first business plan presentation. Despite their initial nervousness and lack of public speaking experience, the team showed remarkable resilience. On competition day, one particularly anxious team member ended up leading the group through the judges' questions, demonstrating extraordinary courage.
"We were supposed to be there to inspire these young people about their own possibilities. However, I rather think it was they who inspired us about the infinite possibilities of youth", Johanna reflects.
Message on a Billboard
When asked what message she would put on a billboard facing Hong Kong's busiest street to inspire others to volunteer, Johanna's response was both simple and profound: "Volunteering can be the missing part of your life's happiness." She explains that volunteering takes us beyond our immediate circles of family and friends into new communities and experiences. "If something is 'missing' in your life, it is likely to be found outside your 'norm'”, she reflects, before adding an inviting challenge: "Are you intrigued? Why don't you try and find out for yourself?"
Dedicated Volunteer Leadership
Dream2Story's testimonial highlights Johanna's exceptional contributions: "Johanna's dedication and passion have been instrumental in creating a warm and supportive environment for both mentors and team members alike. Her creativity shines through her thoughtful sourcing and designing of unique gifts for our mentors, adding a personal touch that makes everyone feel valued and appreciated".
Through her story, Johanna shows how volunteering can not only transform the lives of others but also lead to unexpected personal discovery and growth.
When asked what message she would put on a billboard to inspire others, Johanna's response was profound: "Volunteering can be the missing part of your life's happiness." She believes that by stepping outside our normal life circles and helping others, we often find what we didn't even know we were missing.
Thank you Johanna for volunteering 114 hours with Dream2Story!
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Published on April 15, 2025
