Singapore Children's Society
Singapore Children's Society (Chinese: 新加坡儿童会) is a charitable organisation which looks after the welfare of children. It started out as an organisation which protects the physical, emotional and mental well-being of disadvantaged children.
Singapore Children's Society protects and nurtures children and youth of all races and religions. In 2015, the Society reached out to 67,577 children, youth and families in need.
Established in 1952, its services have evolved to meet the changing needs of children. Today, Children’s Society operates 11 service centres islandwide, offering services in the four categories of: Vulnerable Children Services, Children and Youth Services, Family Services, and Research and Advocacy.
Mission
To bring relief and happiness to children in need
Vision
To be a leading edge organisation in promoting the well-being of the child
Core Values
- Compassion and Caring
- Commitment
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Openness to Change
History
Singapore Children's Society was founded on 17 April 1952 by a group of civic-minded citizens. The group started with a convalescent home for malnourished children in Changi that was subsequently gazetted as a Place of Safety in 1988. It was also the pioneer voluntary welfare organisation to provide opportunities for training of social work undergraduates from the then University of Malaya.
Founding of the Singapore Association for Retarded Children
During the 1960s, Singapore Children's Society founded the Singapore Association for Retarded Children. That same year, the Society also opened the Social Work Service office in Toa Payoh.
More programmes
Recognising a social trend towards dual income families, Singapore Children's Society launched a pilot project that reached out to latchkey children in 1979. Then in 1982 and again in 1984, the United Nations Association of Singapore awarded Children's Society the "Most Outstanding Civic Organisation" Gold Award.
The year 1984 also saw Singapore Children's Society launch Tinkle Friend, a hotline dedicated to children aged between 7 to 12 for them to voice out their problems. Four years later, in 1988, the Society initiated and developed voluntary services for the prevention of child abuse. The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Standing Committee was formed to provide guidance and direction for the work undertaken.
In the 1990s, a series of developments took place that led to the opening of a Family Service Centre and the establishment of a Research Grant for Social Work.
Volunteer work
- Telephone Counsellor
- Tutoring
- Mentoring
- Share-a-skill
- Fundraising
Financial Reporting
According to the 2013 Annual Report, the Society had $52,404,601 in cash and cash equivalents. The Society's operating expenses exceed $13 million a year. Employee Benefits Expenses totaled $7,019,444 in 2013. In the same year Administration expenses were $1,389,397, Fundraising Expenses were $3,209,514. For more information please see the financial report here: https://www.childrensociety.org.sg/resources/ck/files/newsletter-and-report/Audited%20account%20YE%2031Dec%202013.pdf
External links
- Singapore Children's Society
- Singapore Children's Society Facebook
- Singapore Children's Society Twitter
- Singapore Children's Society Instagram
- Singapore Children's Society YouTube
- Singapore Children's Society LinkedIn