What we support

People with disabilities can realise their strengths and potential when given the right opportunities. Integrating them into the community also improves their physical and mental wellness and eases the burden on caregivers.

• 32.9% of adults with disabilities were deemed work-ready, only 29% employed 
• Some who are not work-ready may lack the necessary job and soft skills; there is no formal pathway for SPED students after age 15.  

Source: Almost 3 in 10 people with disabilities who are of working age are employed: MOM survey | Singapore Employment stats (2020) | General Population Employment (2020) | Employment for persons with disabilities (2019) 

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We provide support and intervention for children with special needs in mainstream education settings to help them keep pace and interact with their peers. Besides holistic and informed care, we also assist trauma victims with their recovery and relationship rebuilding.

Programmes include:

• Integrated Facilitated Support Programme (IFSP) by Down Syndrome Association Singapore
• Capital Funding for Maitri Campus (Metta Welfare Association)

Art created locally reinforces a community’s identity and values while highlighting its unique characteristics. Funding is fundamental in enabling productions, programming, residencies, and exhibitions.

Support Community Efforts: 

Our Arts Education programmes engage marginalised communities in theatre as both participants and viewers, while our Youth Development programmes provide opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the arts.

Programmes include:

• Learning & Engagement Programme by Singapore Repertory Theatre
• Heartland Explorer Programme by Singapore Heritage Society

Global warming and human-induced climate change are affecting every country on earth, causing irreversible ecological damage, and posing a fundamental threat to people, places, and species.

• Singapore is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the world. Combined with high humidity of Singapore’s tropical climate, the effects of increasing temperature may lead to potential critical situations, such as increased heat-related conditions, as well as agitation of other conditions. 
• Prof. Matthias Roth (Dept of Geo, NUS) attributes the rising temperatures to global warming and Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect by the heat generated from human activities and trapped by urban surfaces such as buildings and roads.

Source: Singapore’s Climate in 2022 | Why Singapore is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the world – CNA 

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To address this crisis, Singapore needs to reduce its carbon footprint immediately, prepare for future climate-related impacts, and support the conservation of its biodiversity for future generations. 

Education, outreach, and community engagement can positively facilitate climate reform, ensure long-term sustainability, and enhance our natural biodiversity by increasing and deepening public awareness about climate change issues.

Programmes include:

• Green Ambassadors Club by Institute of Technical Education
• Reducing Singapore’s Footprints Programme by World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore

Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly. To build resilience in seniors, we need a comprehensive support system that can accommodate a wide range of needs and circumstances.

• Singapore is currently categorized as an aged society, with almost 18% of the population aged 65 and older, as compared to the 14% based on the definition set by WHO and UN. This will decrease our old-age support ratio from 4.8 today to 2.7 in 2030, signalling an increase in the caregiving burden. 

• There are gaps in terms of home safety, access to home care and dementia support. 
• Many seniors need to keep working as their CPF withdrawals/balance are/is insufficient for them to sustain their livelihood. This group of seniors may not be highly educated and have been working in low-income jobs throughout their working life.   

•   They may not have spouse/children for support; some may actually have dependents 
  

Source: MOH leads review to strengthen caregiver support for seniors | Statistics On Elderly Singaporeans Without Family Support (2018)  

Support Community Efforts: 

Our programmes fulfil a variety of needs. They include:

1. Palliative and medical home care for elderly, frail, homebound seniors with chronic conditions and limited mobility.
2. Senior day care that keeps them active and alert and delays the age at which they may need to be institutionalised.
3. Medical care, caregiver training, and equipment loans to help seniors and patients with life-limiting illnesses live their final days with dignity and comfort.
4. A community-based approach to ageing in place that improves senior health, decreases vulnerability and promotes resilience.
5. Regular outings for senior citizens living in institutions to improve their quality of life.

Programmes include:

• Home Palliative Care Programme by HCA Hospice
• Outing for Seniors Community Impact Fund by Community Foundation of Singapore

Migrant workers are a cornerstone of our infrastructure. Our country and community are directly affected by their well-being, which can flourish with our support.

A significant part of Singapore’s population growth has been fuelled by immigration and foreign labour import. These migrant communities will have an impact on the existent Singapore Community and vice-versa. A deeper look into social connectedness is needed to build bonds across communities. 

Source: Foreign workforce numbers (mom.gov.sg) 

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Our programme provides short-term and immediate financial assistance to distressed individuals so they can meet their immediate needs, such as food, shelter, transportation, and medical care.

We also provide access to experienced counsellors, specialized assessments, and pro bono legal help through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS). Ad Hoc Pro Bono Schemes are also available for migrant workers.

Programmes include:

• Mental Health Counselling Support by HealthServe Ltd
• Migrants Emergency Assistance and Support (MEANS) Community Impact Fund by Community Foundation of Singapore

We can look forward to a resilient, more capable generation in the future if we support their literacy, academic abilities, self-esteem, resilience and social skills today.

Sports may provide a chance to reduce inequalities and act as bridges across differences, so that youth across different family socio-economic statuses and other marginalized communities can maximise their potential through sports participation, and build a more cohesive and integrated society. 

For young people with disabilities, there are support systems in school, and sporting programmes to engage and encourage sports participation. Unfortunately, participation drops dramatically once the students exceed the former educational system, where resources and opportunities are limited. 

Source: Disability Sports Master Plan (sportsingapore.gov.sg) 

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Children from marginalised families are cared for, guided academically and coached in life skills and leisure time in this unique night care programme, allowing caregivers to work later shifts to support the household.

Children and youth can also get financial assistance with meal and transportation costs. We also offer temporary shelter in a safe and supportive environment to teenage girls who have been physically, psychologically, or emotionally abused.

Programmes include:

• CareNights@Morning Star Programme by Morning Star Community Services 
• Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre by HCSA Community Services

Ex-offenders are capable of responsible independence and contributing to society and should be supported to do so. The key to achieving this and preventing recidivism is reintegration and acceptance.

They may face ostracisation from family, friends and society, including employers. There is an urgent need for employment to reintegrate into society and sustain oneself and family, if any. Lack of a close support network and viable long-term employment may lead to recidivism. 

Some companies may take the opportunity to be exploitative because they know there are many who are waiting for a job. 

Source: Recidivism rate of ex-offenders 

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Our programme supports homeless female ex-offenders through specialised interventions, such as providing temporary shelter in a safe, drug-free environment, training and counselling, during their reintegration process.

In addition, a literacy programme that includes stories written by incarcerated parents allows them to maintain contact with their children and help them in their literacy, all while serving their prison sentence.

Programmes include:

• Culinary Academy by HCSA Community Services
• Individual Transitional Accomodation Programme (iTAP) by IC@are Hub

Through skills training, peer support groups, and other aid, low-income and multiple-stressed families will be able to access their basic living needs and live a more comfortable life, thereby enhancing the social equity of society.

• In Singapore, socio-economically advantaged students, who have more access to educational development resources from an early age, outperformed disadvantaged students in reading by 104 score points. Limited or no access to enrichment classes and recreation activities may result in them being socially excluded from their peers. 
• Nearly half of Singapore’s low-income students are concentrated in the same schools (e.g. 93% of ITE students come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds) 
• Subsidised fees and other school expenses may still be a challenge for low-income families; working youths may drop out of school as a result. 
• Young children are typically unable to attend pre-school due to a lack of finances. This results in them lagging behind their peers when they start formal education. 

Source: PISA 2018 (Singapore) | Singapore has highest gaps in sense of belonging at school between students of different socio-economic statuses: Report – TODAY (todayonline.com) | Ensuring poorer kids don’t feel marginalised in top schools 

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The Back-to-Work programmes help low-income mothers by offering them financial support, job training, and support networks. Furthermore, they offer low-income families access to daily necessities, nutritional training and activities to foster parent-child bonds.

Parents who failed the Legal Aid Bureau’s family means test or had foreign spouses or children who were not citizens would be eligible for the Family Justice Support Scheme which enables these parents to access experienced family lawyers. 

Programmes include:

• Empowering Mums Programme by Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)
• Family Justice Support Scheme by Law Society Pro Bono Services

The mind and body cannot be separated, so ill-health in one can affect the other. Physical and mental health are important not only for building a resilient, strong community, but also for empowering individuals with confidence.

There is an upward trend in calls and emails to Samaritans of Singapore (SoS): 

• 45,746 incoming calls received in FY20/21 by SOS’s 24-hour hotline. 31% increase when compared to FY19/20.  
• 14,635 emails sent out to follow up with 1,949 writers. 34% increase when compared to FY19/20.  
• A total of more than 60,000 calls and emails for FY2021. 31% increase when compared to FY19/20.  

Data suggests that a lot of people are facing issues and there is a lack of ability to deal with daily stressors. 

Source: Samaritans of Singapore Annual Report 2021 

Support Community Efforts: 

Through our various psychological and social programmes, we help young people deal with emotional, psychological, and psychiatric issues more effectively, while another programme gives seniors a sense of purpose by strengthening their minds and bodies.

Programmes include:

• SAMH YouthReach Programme by Singapore Association for Mental Health
• Mental Health Counselling Support by HealthServe Ltd