We strongly believe in the power of human connections with every individual and family that comes into our contact. Hence, community-centric practice in casework and counselling is our key intervention tool in supporting our vulnerable families. Of these, more than 80% reside in one- or two-room HDB rental flats, while the rest reside in various housing types such as transitional shelters and other types of HDB flats.
Through casework and counselling by our team of social workers amid the Covid pandemic, we saw:
We encourage community ownership and co-creation by activating community assets to address the needs and challenges of our community. These include social transformation efforts through the many community initiatives and platforms such as I WISH U ENOUGH annual social movement event in line with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Community Garden, Community Kitchen, Goodwill Xchange, Family Partnership Programme, and Learning Kampung.
The Community Garden is a visible expression of community engagement and ownership. Created by a pioneer group of 15 residents in the community, the Garden is run and maintained by these resident gardeners, with support and assistance from SCC. Our garden group also play host to visitors, taking pride in explaining the vegetable crops and herbs, and their involvement with the co-creation and success of the garden.
The Request & Offer Board is a bridge between those who receive goodwill from the community and those who give. Requests from our low-income families are put up through their social workers, and anyone from the community can offer their skills, job opportunities and pre-loved items like household appliances and furniture.
Food is one of the best ways to get people together. The Community Kitchen is ideal for gatherings, community events, celebrations, and a platform for our residents to showcase their cooking skills. It bridges the community from both rental and purchased housing, where individuals and families volunteer their time preparing or cooking food for our community events.
The Goodwill Xchange was set up as a way through which people in the community can help each other. Food, clothes, books, toys, and other “pre-loved” items are donated by the community who want to share, including our low-income families. The latter received not just food and essential items that help them tide over difficult times, they also receive goodwill and an affirmation that the community cares.
The Learning Kampung (“LK”) is a homework guidance and befriending programme where volunteers are matched with children from low-income and vulnerable families for weekly learning sessions. These sessions aim to support children in their homework comprehension and completion to maximise learning in school and to improve in their studies.
We build a community of people who serve as resources to each other. Our pool of volunteers comprising of vulnerable families, residents, individuals, students, and working adults (including corporate volunteers and foundation partners) play a part in our poverty transformation work and create a better future for all.
At SCC we are fortunate to have our volunteers walk alongside the community as they gift their time, talent and treasure. We engage volunteers to support our families, encourage volunteers to become sponsors, and engage corporate sponsors to give families who do not qualify for existing schemes the additional support that is needed. The tireless contributions of our volunteers are testament of our larger society’s involvement in our Gift Economy, so that communities can have enough.
