Viriya Community Services

Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2014

2

Our Profile General Information

Viriya Community Services (VCS) was established in 2001 as a voluntary welfare organisation, registered under the Societies Act (UEN: T01SS0059B).

It is also a charity under the Charities Act as well as an Institution of a Public Character (IPC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Social and Family Development, which acts as the Central Fund Administrator. Objectives

Our Society's principal charitable activities are aimed at bringing joy and enhancing the quality of life by providing care and assistance to families and individuals in need of support regardless of race and religion.

These were rendered through our community projects including the following:

Dreams LHCST-NKF Dialysis Centre Viriya MediAssist Fund My Centre @ Moulmein Viriya Children’s Education Fund Viriya Gap Fund Viriya Children’s Medical Fund Viriya-KK Children’s Hospital HomeCare Programme Viriya Elderly Medical Fund Viriya Family Service Centre Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre Whispering Hearts Infant & Child Care Centre Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre

Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre, including Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre, was a separate society until 31 December 2014, during which period, it prepared separate sets of financials and report.

Viriya MediAssist Fund is a collaboration with Potong Pasir CCC. Like our other medical funds, the Viriya MediAssist Fund helps individuals with chronic medical conditions, however, it is used to benefit only residents from Potong Pasir Constituency. The Viriya Gap Fund is intended to support individuals or families where assistance is unavailable from existing funds including funding of children's enrichment programmes.

3

VCS is governed by a management committee comprising individuals with varied skills, in particular, individuals

who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of the individuals in the community. The management

committee oversees and approves the formulation of the Society’s strategic objectives and directions and sets

values and standards of the organisation. It also reviews the Society’s activities, adequacy of internal controls,

financial reporting and compliance and management and operational performance.

Management Committee Members

Management Committee

Corporate Governance The management committee and the management staff are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and abiding to the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs. The management committee endeavours to enhance its governance practices throughout the financial year. The committee also assessed its compliance with the code of governance for the evaluation period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014. It will be filed with the Commissioner of Charities after the annual general meeting and a set will also be uploaded on our website. As at date of this report, the Society had complied with the various areas required in the governance evaluation.

Conflicts of Interest The Society maintains a Conflict of Interest policy, requiring management committee and staff to disclose areas of conflict and abstention from discussion and decision-making on the matter. During the year under review, there were no such conflicts that required disclosure and action.

Tay Han Ching Alvin

Senior Manager, Business Development Service Quality Centre Pte Ltd

First Appointed on 20 March 2013

Tay Hong Beng

Head of Tax

KPMG Services Pte Ltd

First Appointed on 20 March 2013

Tham Khuan Heng

Retired Partner Big 4 Accounting Firm

First Appointed on 29 March 2006

President Vice-President

Ho-Kok Pooi Han, Rosalind

Director FS Asia Management

First Appointed on 24 March 2008

Honorary Secretary

Teoh Eong Kow

Head of Business Support KPMG

First Appointed on 22 March 2013

Honorary Treasurer

Cho Yew Siang

Director of Finance & Accounting Raffles Institution

First Appointed on 20 March 2014

Member

Koh Ming Feng, Abner

Tax Manager KPMG Services Pte Ltd

First Appointed on 23 March 2004

Member

Member

Member Member

Lim Yin Nee, Jenny

Retired Partner Big 4 Accounting Firm

First Appointed on 28 March 2002

Chia Eng Soon

Venerable Leong Hwa Monastery

First Appointed on 28 March 2002

4

Finance and Funding The Society receives funding from the government and the public in the form of

donations. The public includes corporates, foundations and individuals. In addition, two of its centres

collect school fees from the provision of child or student care services but the families receive

subsidies from the government depending on their household income. The Society also collects

nominal fees for some of its programmes and services.

The two bankers of the Society are United Overseas Bank Limited and DBS Limited.

Financial results: Restricted Unrestricted Total

$ $ $

Income from generating funds

Voluntary income

- Donations - tax exempt 734,000 120,000 854,000

- non tax exempt 247,000 36,000 283,000

- Investment income 32,000 34,000 66,000

Income from charitable activities

Voluntary income

- Government funding 674,000 326,000 1,000,000

- Tote Board funding 687,000 0 687,000

Counselling and programme fee 9,000 17,000 26,000

School fee 0 202,000 202,000

Other income 57,000 169,000 226,000

Total income 2,440,000 904,000 3,344,000

Expenditure

Cost of charitable expenses 1,097,000 704,000 1,801,000

Governance and other admin costs 31,000 13,000 44,000

Total expenditure 1,128,000 717,000 1,845,000

Surplus for the year 1,312,000 187,000 1,499,000

Reserves

Restricted funds

- Endowment 3,583,000

- Others 11,000

- Designated 2,579,000

Total restricted funds 6,173,000

Unrestricted funds 1,624,000

Total reserves as at 31 December 2014 7,797,000

Unrestricted funds/total operating expenditure 0.88 years

Further details can be found in our audited financial statements, audited by Fiducia LLP. The Society

has adopted the Charity Accounting Standard from 1 January 2013.

5

Reserve policy It is the Society’s desire to build up its reserve of unrestricted funds to meet two years’

operating expenditure and any surplus will be transferred in the following year.

Endowment Fund The Fund was established to receive bequests, gifts and donations and transfer

from unrestricted fund that is in excess of two years’ operating expenditure, to strengthen the

financial position of the Society and to enable the Society to use the return from investment of the

Fund to launch sustainable community projects.

It is the Society’s intention to build up an endowment fund of $10 million.

While the capital is not available for general use, the investment returns from the Fund and or part of

the capital, can be used to fund community projects and initiatives where the Society can make a

significant contribution and which are truly important, meaningful and in keeping with the Society’s

mission.

Since 1 January 2012, the return from investment has been credited to the Endowment Fund.

Society’s Assets The Society does not own any properties. It is the Society’s intention to use the Lights

of Hope Centre (which is owned by Leong Hwa Monastery) for charitable purposes consistent with its

mission. In the meanwhile, the place is being rented out by Leong Hwa Monastery and the Society

receives a share of the rental income.

The Society owns a van used largely to provide transport to our chronically ill children under the Viriya-

KK Children’s Hospital HomeCare Programme.

Future Capital Commitments In the next twelve months, with approval from the Early Childhood

Development Agency, we will re-configure the existing Whispering Hearts Infant & Child Care Centre

into a full-fledged child care centre to cater to the high demand for child care services in the vicinity

where we operate. We will also be exploring with Pioneer Constituency to set up a new student care

centre, again to meet unmet demand of the residents. We will continue to source for projects as well

as respond to tenders called by MSF for new projects, subject to having sustainable financial and

human capital.

From 1 January 2015, the operations of Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre and Whispering

Hearts Student Care Centre have been subsumed under the Society to better leverage on our human

resources to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness. The Society will continue with the

remaining cyclical maintenance and extension works of the family service centre.

The Road Ahead We remain committed to our vision and mission of caring for the community with

compassion and concern. We will invest the matching grant received from the government under the

Care and Share Movement in building capability and capacity as well as in new or enhanced existing

programmes to meet the future needs of the community.

More importantly, we will remain guided by the teachings of Lord Buddha, in particular in embracing

and practising compassion and loving kindness for the less fortunate in society. Our hope for a better

society for all humanity remains.

Management The Executive Director is given the responsibilities of implementing policies and

directions set out by the management committee. Ms Evelyn Lai has held this position since 1 April

2009.

6

Viriya Community Services (VCS) was founded by Leong Hwa Monastery.

Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre (WHFSC) opened its doors to serve the residents in Jurong West.

Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre (WHSCC) began taking care of school-going children aged 7 to 14 while their parents are at work.

Sharing & Caring for You was initiated to provide monthly food rations to needy families.

LHCST – NKF Dialysis Centre was set up and provides dialysis treatment for patients through 18 dialysis stations.

2001

2002 2003

2005 Whispering Hearts Infant & Child Care Centre

(WHICC) began providing infant and child care

services, focusing on children from low income

families.

My Centre @ Moulmein (MCM) serves residents

and senior citizens residing in Moulmein-Kallang

GRC and promotes a positive image on aging,

intergenerational and family bonding.

Lilies on the River (LOTR) was VCS’ flagship fund raising event from 2003 to 2006. Donors adopted hundreds of thousands of lilies which were then floated down the Singapore River.

Viriya Children’s Education Fund (VCEF) was launched to motivate children in VCS programmes to achieve academic excellence through scholarships. The fund was later expanded to include bursaries to recognise good improvements of our children.

Viriya Children’s Medical Fund (VCMF) was set up to

help low income families with children who require

long term medical care with financial and emotional

support.

2013 Viriya Elderly Medical Fund (VEMF) was modelled

after the successful VCMF and extends care and

concern through financial and socio-emotional

support to elderly patients.

Viriya Family Service Centre (VFSC) is VCS’ second

family service centre, serving residents of Potong

Pasir and Joo Seng.

VCS Milestones

Viriya – KK Children’s Hospital HomeCare Programme is a partnership between VCS and KK Children's Hospital to provide chronically ill children with required medical equipment and financial assistance for them to receive medical treatment and care in their homes.

Dreams began operations as a youth drop-in centre providing programmes and services for youths through preventive, developmental and remedial interventions.

2004

2010

Since VCS was founded in 2001, the Society has kept true to its mission to bring joy and enhance the quality of

life by providing care and assistance to families and individuals in need of support regardless of race and

religion. We trace our growth below, introducing the significant projects that have been developed through

the various centres to reach out to the young and old alike.

7

2014 Highlights

VCS Community Day

(8 March 2014)

VCS staff set their green thumbs a-twiddling as

they made terrariums on VCS Community Day.

Funds raised from the adoption of the terrariums

went towards supporting VCS’ programmes.

Viriya Family Service Centre Official Opening

(7 September 2014)

Staff and beneficiaries worked hand in hand to

make the official opening of VFSC a memorable

event. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was our

guest of honour and together with the Patron of

VFSC, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, officiated the official

opening ceremony.

Code of Social Work Practice (CSWP)

(February 2014)

WHFSC was one of four agencies selected to pilot

CSWP. WHFSC will assist to test out the proposed

code and provide ground inputs to MSF. CSWP will

progressively be introduced to all family service

centres to standardise and improve their services.

VCS Website Revamp

(August 2014)

VCS’ website, www.viriya.org.sg, received a

facelift. Apart from a brand new user-interface,

navigation of the website has been simplified.

Users should find the website more informative

and user-friendly.

8

Lantern of Hope

(7 September 2014)

In conjunction with the official opening of VFSC,

members of the public adopted lanterns in

support of the Viriya MediAssist Fund and the

other medical funds by VCS. 30 large red lanterns

were adopted with a minimum donation of $5,000

each in support of the event. 4,800 small lanterns

were also adopted and displayed during the

official opening of VFSC, forming a brilliant display

across the ceiling and around the neighbourhood.

Extension and Cyclical Maintenance of WHFSC

(November 2014)

Extension and cyclical maintenance works began at

WHFSC. With the extension and cyclical

maintenance, WHFSC will be able to accommodate

more staff and thus provide better services to

more clients.

VCS Corporate Video

(7 September 2014)

VCS unveiled its corporate video during the official

opening of VFSC. The corporate video introduces

the various programmes and services of VCS. It can

be viewed on VCS’ website.

VCS Community Song “Sing Happy”

(7 September 2014)

Composed and written by Mr Derrick Tham, 2012

COMPASS Young Composer of the Year recipient,

“Sing Happy” made its debut at the official opening

of VFSC. The song aims to bring joy and bond the

community.

9

Viriya-KK Children’s Hospital HomeCare Programme

“My child is fully dependent on me for every aspect of his daily life. Even feeding is a tedious

process that takes place through a feeding tube in his stomach. The Viriya-KK Children’s Hospital

HomeCare Programme provides us with breathing apparatus and medicines so that I can take

care of him at home.”

– Mother of beneficiary who was born with a hole in his heart, fingers fused together, different

sized kidneys and Down syndrome.

VCS started the Viriya-KK Children’s Hospital

HomeCare Programme in February 2004.

Marrying the medical expertise and care from KK

Women’s and Children’s Hospital with our

financial, community and emotional support, the

programme allows chronically ill children to

receive quality medical care in the comfort and

warmth of their own homes.

The programme provides the children with medical

equipment, allowing them to receive essential

medical assistance and treatment at home instead

of the hospital. This also helps families better

handle their financial stress.

“My son is prone to infections and had to be admitted to hospital every 10 days for the first

two years of his life. Thanks to the Viriya-KK Children’s Hospital HomeCare Programme, we

now have the essential medical machines at home. His hospital visits have now been reduced

to once every three months.”

– Mother of beneficiary who was diagnosed at birth with MCEP2 Duplication Syndrome,

Epilepsy, Autism, Mental Disability and breathing issues.

As of December 2014

VCS has contributed

$1.82 million to the programme and assisted more

than 500 medically ill children from

low income families

10

Viriya Children’s Medical Fund

VCMF outing to Gardens by the Bay

Since December 2010, surplus from operations of

Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre (WHSCC)

has been channelled to Viriya Children’s Medical

Fund (VCMF) to help families with children

requiring long term medical attention cope with

the greater financial and caregiving challenges.

In the last four years, VCS has been working closely

with the 2 main paediatric hospitals, KK Women’s

and Children’s Hospital and the National University

Hospital to identify and offer help to children and

their caregivers. Our beneficiaries include children

suffering from chronic conditions such as global

developmental delay, epilepsy and muscular

dystrophy, as well as shorter term conditions

arising from accidents or injuries.

VCMF recipients attended

2 support group sessions

2 workshops

2 outings

4 disbursement sessions

VCMF recipients also received

back to school packs to prepare them for

the new school year

In 2014, the programme was enhanced to better

meet the needs of the families. The financial

disbursements were given out regularly in

conjunction with fun and meaningful activities for

the beneficiaries and their caregivers. Outings

were also organised to Gardens by the Bay and

Labrador Park. Our social workers continue to work

closely with the families throughout the year,

providing case management support to holistically

address their challenges. The caregivers’ support

group also provides the caregivers with a support

network that they can turn to.

VCMF clients

In 2014

104 children and their families received

financial and case management support

$103,840 were disbursed

$245,000 of surplus from the operations of

WHSCC was channelled to VCMF

11

Viriya Children’s Education Fund

20

16

0

5

10

15

20

25

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

No

. of

Rec

ipie

nts

Year

Number of VCEF Recipients since Inception

Scholarships Education Fund (Only established in 2013)

VCEF recipients receiving their awards during

Whispering Hearts Year End Concert – Together as One

Viriya Children’s Education Fund (VCEF) was set up

to motivate and support children under our care in

striving for greater academic success.

Recipients of VCEF achieved significant

improvements in their results, reflective of their

drive and determination towards their academic

pursuits. The recipients of Viriya-Sunray Education

Fund achieved notable improvements in their core

subjects whereas recipients of the Viriya-KPMG

Scholarship Fund and Viriya-Ong Kim Long

Scholarship scored ‘A’ for all core subjects.

We are indeed very pleased that the number of

recipients has increased over the years.

In 2014

20 children and youths were awarded

scholarships worth

$20,000

16 children and youths received education

funds worth

$8,000

12

Whispering Hearts Infant & Child Care Centre

Whispering Hearts Infant & Child Care Centre (WHICC) provides children from 2 months old to 6 years old with a safe and conducive environment and stimulation to grow holistically to their fullest potential.

WHICC works closely with WHFSC to provide care and further financial assistance to children from low income families. The centre provides priority enrolment for disadvantaged children assessed to require care from the centre. In 2014, 12% of the children we cared for were from disadvantaged families.

In 2014

WHICC maintained average enrolment of

51 children and attained the

Healthy Eating in Child Care Centre Award 2014

100% of the teachers were trained and

qualified as early childhood practitioners

Fortnightly internal consultations and training were conducted to ensure quality of services

provided by teachers

Integrated Academic Lessons WHICC ensures children have a proper foundation in their academics. Enhanced language and literacy classes, conducted in English and Mandarin, take place bi-weekly. Numeracy classes provide children with a head start in Mathematics while Science and Discovery introduces the children to the wonders of Science.

Lessons in WHICC are also structured around themes, with other activities, outings and excursions revolving around the same theme so as to present a comprehensive learning package for the children.

Outings and Excursions WHICC regularly brings the children for outings and excursions. In 2014, the children went to:

- HealthZone @ Health Promotion Board - NTUC Supermarket - Pizza Hut Kitchen Tour - Singapore Zoological Gardens - “Out of a Box” Play @ Esplanade - Civil Defence Heritage Museum

13

Outdoor and Indoor Activities Mindful that the children are in their developmental years, WHICC includes plenty of activities which enhance their gross and fine motor skills. Children are encouraged to nurture adequate self-help skills, taking on simple tasks such as feeding themselves or clearing up after meals.

WHICC frequently involves parents in its programmes. Parents have helped to contribute fruits for a fruit salad making session by the children, gather and share articles on current affairs for class discussions and provide materials for a family photograph sharing session.

Additional Curriculum Children in WHICC benefit from a host of educational activities such as reading programmes, show and tell, as well as discussions on current issues.

Story Telling

Story telling sessions are conducted with the use of books and electronic devices such as laptops and tablets. The sessions are designed to stimulate the children mentally, socially and emotionally.

Personal Hygiene

Good hygiene skills are cultivated in the children through mandatory daily habits such as brushing teeth and washing hands.

Music & Movement

The language of music evokes movement, which is essential for children’s development and growth. Through rhymes and songs, musical games, and musical instruments, the children in WHICC have fun and engaging sessions weekly.

Creative Arts

Fine motor skills are cultivated through art sessions that involve painting, printing, making of collages, and other artistic ventures. Children are also encouraged to express their creativity as well as develop a sense of responsibility by taking part in the decorating and setting up of a fish tank for WHICC’s new pet fishes!

Festivals and Celebrations Apart from being valuable opportunities to teach the children about the multiple festivals celebrated in Singapore, the fun-filled celebrations are enjoyable activities for both teachers and children.

- Children’s Day cum Mini Sports Day - Chinese New Year - Christmas - Deepavali - Father’s Day - Hari Raya Puasa - Intergenerational Bonding with Elderly from My Centre @ Moulmein - Mid-Autumn Festival - Mother’s Day - National Day

14

Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre

17.1%

5.4%

9.9%

8.1%

14.4%

45.0%

Household Income of WHSCC Students

$0.00 to $1,000 $1,001 to $2,000 $2,001 to $3,000

$3,001 to $4,000 $4,001 to $5,000 Above $5,000

I want to thank the teachers for taking care of

us and bringing us out for learning journeys. I

also want to thank them for helping our

parents not worry about us. I hope that my

friends will come and join me here.

– WHSCC student

Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre (WHSCC)

provides before and after school care for children

aged 7 to 14 years. Beyond academic excellence,

WHSCC strives to inculcate activities and learning

experiences to mould the children’s characters.

In line with VCS’ mission to help those in need,

WHSCC reserves 10% of the vacancies to give

priority enrolment to children from

disadvantaged backgrounds served by

Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre.

WHSCC students enjoyed the following outings and festival celebrations in 2014.

- Chinese Drumming Workshop @ Esplanade

- Chinese New Year

- Christmas Party @ Singapore Discovery Centre

- Currencies Around the World @ National Technological University

- Deepavali

- Good Friday

- Hari Raya Puasa

- Kite Flying @ the park

- Learning Journey to NEWater Visitor Centre

- Mid-Autumn Festival - National Day Celebrations

- Octoburst Children Festival 'Something Very Far Away'@ Esplanade

In 2014

WHSCC maintained an average enrolment of

111 students

92% of the students passed the internal

diagnostic tests

84% scored a minimum of 80 marks by the

end of the year

18% of students achieved distinctions for all

core subjects in their schools' examinations

and qualified for the VCEF scholarships

15

Keyboard lessons and life-skills workshops

conducted by volunteers

Fund raising jumble sale and CANtribute for SPCA

Whispering Hearts Student Care Centre

Aside from academic, WHSCC structures its programmes around the following domains:

Aesthetics and Crafts

Apart from craft work during the school

holidays, interested students also take

calligraphy lessons taught by students from

River Valley High School.

Music

Musically inclined students can participate in

weekly keyboard classes. Volunteers from

National Junior College conduct the lessons

with patience and expertise, fuelling the

students’ enthusiasm in the musical field.

Social Awareness

To ensure that they are kept abreast of current

affairs, the students at WHSCC are actively

engaged through project work on current

affairs. Students are split into groups to

research on topics such as “Compare

Electronic Games with Real Life Games”, and

thereafter, present their findings to the class.

The students also take part in community

involvement projects, and in year 2014, they

did a jumble sale and collected canned food

for SPCA. Educational trips were also

organised.

Personal Development

Well-rounded development is highly

encouraged at WHSCC through life skills

workshops and buddy support groups. After

learning journeys, volunteers also help to

conduct workshops to help students reinforce

and recap their learnings.

Physical Education

Adding innovative elements to the

conventional physical activity sessions, WHSCC

students had the opportunity to learn basic

techniques of playing table tennis from

National Junior College volunteers. The boys

were also delighted to be taught basic wushu

steps, giving them a taster of traditional

Chinese martial arts.

16

Dreams

TAP activities and outings

After a few laser sessions

to remove stigmatising

tattoos

Established in 2004 initially as a youth drop in centre, Dreams continues engaging the youths in the community

through Project New Leaf and Teens Action Project.

Project New Leaf

Project New Leaf (PNL) helps wayward youths who face

difficulties in their educational or vocational pursuits due

to the presence of stigmatising tattoos on their bodies.

Apart from providing professional laser tattoo removal

services, our social workers also conduct casework and

counselling with the youths and involve them in the

community.

Teens Action Project

Established in 2013, Teens Action Project (TAP) reaches out

to youths aged 13 to 18 in Jurong West. Through weekly

outreach sessions, youth workers patrol the streets

regularly to engage youths loitering around and introduce

them to TAP.

TAP youth workers work closely with NTU volunteers to

conduct weekly mentoring sessions. The volunteers tutor

the youths in their academic studies while youth workers

guide the youths through their individual challenges.

In year 2014, the NTU volunteers also organised an

educational trip to Kent Ridge Park, Reflections at Bukit

Chandu, a kite-making session followed by kite-flying

outing to Marina Barrage as well as the NEWater Visitor

Centre. The year ended with a trekking expedition in

Labrador Nature Reserve and a barbeque at the Park.

In 2014

8 youths went through

32 sessions of tattoo removals and

36 counselling sessions

Through 88 hours of community services, the

youths were also guided towards positive

engagements

In 2014

Youth workers had 130 sessions of outreach

to engage youths on the streets

52 youths were engaged in 37 weekly

mentoring sessions

The youths also participated in

3 outings and 6 discussion sessions

60% of TAP youths qualified for Viriya

Children’s Education Fund

17

WHFC training sessions and matches

Dance Shuffles practice sessions and

debut performance

In 2014

7 youths joined Dance Shuffles and

participated in 20 training sessions

Dance Shuffles made its debut performance at

Whispering Hearts Year End Concert

2014

TAP’s football interest group, Whispering

Hearts Football Club (WHFC), continues to

flourish and grow in strength and skills in its

second year. At the weekly Friday training

sessions at Boon Lay Secondary School,

volunteer coaches from Nanyang Police

Division work together with TAP youth

workers to ensure that the training also

focuses on character development and

teamwork.

Dance Shuffles, TAP’s dance interest group

was kick-started in August 2014 to nurture

the interest of the TAP youths in dance. A

volunteer dance instructor helped to train

the youths in the basics of hip hop dance

before their debut performance during the

Whispering Hearts Year End Concert on 29

November 2014.

Teens Action Project

In 2014

WHFC trained

26 youths during 28 training sessions and

participated in 12 Delta League and Ace

League matches

1 youth won the Character Excellence

Award and 1 youth was nominated for the

Promising Character Award at the

Ace Football Awards Night

18

My Centre @ Moulmein

154

10093 93

73

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Mind Games Foot Reflexology Karaoke Stepping Out Learn My Dialect

Top 5 Activities

No. of Sessions

Talks Conducted in 2014

- General Awareness of Cancer

- Grief Management

- Low Vision and Coping with Low Vision

- Nutrition and Hydration

- Osteoporosis

- Table Manners

- Stepping Out Health Talk

- Urinary Incontinence Intergenerational activity

and pot luck party

My Centre @ Moulmein (MCM) organises

meaningful activities and programmes to engage

the elderly in Moulmein and Whampoa South

Constituencies.

Through the activities, MCM encourages its

members to maintain active hearts and active

minds as they age.

In 2014

353 elderly were engaged through MCM

activities

On a monthly basis, an average of 108

elderly were actively involved in MCM

programmes

782 sessions of regular activities amounting

to 1,744 hours were organised

Apart from fun activities, such as pot luck parties,

and celebrations of festivals such as Lunar New

Year, Mid-Autumn festival and Christmas, MCM

organises various talks of interest to the elderly.

19

Stepping Out exercise session and fall prevention

talk

LMD lesson and volunteer focus group

discussion

Stepping Out into Active Life Programme

The Stepping Out into Active Life programme, a collaboration between MCM and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, is an exercise programme aimed at helping the elderly prevent falls. Nurses, physiotherapists and doctors first screen participants to assess their health conditions and gauge their suitability for the exercise. They also advise elderly participants on actions to be taken to prevent falls.

Learn My Dialect

Learn My Dialect (LMD) aims to reduce language

barriers and enhance intergenerational

communication between the younger generations

and elderly Singaporeans who can only

understand dialects.

Elderly volunteers are recruited and trained to

teach dialect lessons to LMD students, who are

healthcare students from educational institutions,

healthcare workers from day care centres and

nursing homes as well as working adults from

public services.

In 2014 93 sessions of Stepping Out related activities

were conducted, averaging 1 ¾ hours per

session

166 hours of fall prevention related

assistance were given to the elderly

In 2014

33 volunteers conducted

136 sessions of LMD for

569 students from

13 organisations

20

Viriya Elderly Medical Fund

VEMF disbursement gatherings and

lunch outing to Dignity Kitchen

Top 3 Medical Conditions Afflicting VEMF Clients 1 Diabetes

2 High Cholesterol

3 High Blood Pressure

Viriya Elderly Medical Fund (VEMF) helps elderly

inflicted with various medical conditions and

lacking in social and financial support.

Financial assistance helps the elderly cope with

medical expenses including transport, TCM

treatment and other consumables.

Social workers help to work with eldercare

agencies and hospitals to provide community care

for the elderly. Case management services are

also provided to the beneficiaries.

In 2014

65 elderly received

$41,550 for their medical needs

4 disbursement gatherings were held at

MCM

Staff and volunteers conduct activities tailored to

the preference of the elderly during the

disbursement gatherings. In 2014, one such

activity was the memory game which encouraged

the elderly to identify and share memories of

prominent old landmarks as presented through

old photographs. Our beneficiaries also went to

Dignity Kitchen for lunch. Furthermore, our

volunteers also helped the elderly to understand

the Pioneer Generation Package.

21

Viriya Family Service Centre

1% 4%

12%

4%

9%

70%

Presenting Issues of Cases in 2014

Violence(Family/Partner)

Housing/Shelter

Family Issues

Health & Medical

Children & Youth

Financial Matters

In 2014

245 clients approached VFSC for help

560 families were supported through

casework and counselling

$7,835 worth of School Pocket Money

Fund was administered

Viriya Family Service Centre (VFSC) provides social

support relating to the family through the

provision of a suite of services, predominantly

through casework and counselling services, aimed

at achieving independence, resilience and stability

for the families at Potong Pasir and Joo Seng.

VFSC also organises activities suitable for both the

young and the old. Children can participate in

programmes such as Character First, Citi-South

East MoneyWise Savings Programme, Financial

Literacy workshops and holiday drop-in

programmes while parenting workshops,

Enhancing Positive Changes workshops and

elderly parties are organised for the adults and

elderly.

100% of referred clients were successfully matched with appropriate services

97% of clients indicated satisfaction with VFSC through client feedback form

97% of clients reported an improved ability to manage issues on their own

98% of clients achieved enhanced relationship/network that improves their situation

91% of clients saw an improvement in their problem solving/coping skills

VFSC reached out to 1,829 participants

through 75 hours of activities and events

organised with the help of 182 volunteers

22

Ribbon cutting ceremony and mooncake

making during VFSC official opening

Character First activities and workshops

VFSC received a makeover for its official

opening on 7 September 2014. A 50-foot long

display board was set up along the corridor,

proudly displaying a timeline of the

milestones and achievements of VCS since its

founding in 2001.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by

our guest of honour, Prime Minister Lee Hsien

Loong, and VFSC Patron Mr Sitoh Yih Pin. As

the event fell on the weekend of the Mid-

Autumn Festival, PM Lee and Mr Sitoh made

mooncakes with two of our beneficiaries and

their families.

Character First

Character First is conducted by trained volunteers

from City Developments Limited (CDL). Character

First aims to teach and share positive character

traits with children. These values are imparted

through stories, applications, art and craft as well

as games, with the objective of motivating and

guiding the children to become responsible adults

in future. The programme started in April 2014

and an average of 16 children attended each

session.

25 children registered for Character First

Besides character building, the children also

attended:

- Financial Literacy Workshop

- Mind-Mapping Workshop

- June School Holidays Programme

- Learn My Dialect Sessions

- Pancake/ Sandwich Making Sessions

VFSC Official Opening

23

Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre

3%

14%

17%

6%

1%35%

10%

6%

8%

Presenting Issues of Cases in 2014

Youth Issues/Child Behaviour

Health & Medical

Family Violence

Psycho-emotional

Others

Financial Issues

Family/Marital Issues

Housing/Shelter

Parenting/ Child Management

Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre

(WHFSC) continues providing enhanced

Information and Referral and Casework and

Counselling as its core services to the

residents in Boon Lay, Nanyang and Pioneer

Constituencies.

WHFSC engages residents through

community support programmes such as

Bright Owl Project, Women Inc. and

Enhancing Positive Changes and activities

such as CANtribute.

In 2014

739 clients approached WHFSC for help

2,208 families were supported through

casework and counselling

$121,335 worth of School Pocket Money

Fund was administered

100% of referred clients were successfully matched with appropriate services

91% of clients indicated satisfaction with VFSC through client feedback form

83% of clients reported an improved ability to manage issues on their own

98% of clients achieved enhanced relationship/network that improves their situation

92% of clients saw an improvement in their problem solving/coping skills

24

Women Inc. activities

BOP activities

Canned food collection for CANtribute 2014

Bright Owl Project

Bright Owl Project (BOP) mentors and supports primary school children academically. Both parents and children are actively engaged via family outings, field trips, life-skills workshops, literacy and numeracy workshops, parenting workshops, parent-mentor meetings and focus group discussions to support the children holistically.

In 2014

39 children were enrolled

64 mentoring sessions were conducted

$14,000 was channelled into the

programme

Women Inc. Women Inc. supports women in the programme by building their capabilities through enhancing social network, mutual emotional support, skills training and income generating opportunities. Through the programme, our women generate income to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

In 2014

56 women registered

49 activity sessions were organised

CANtribute 2014 CANtribute 2014, WHFSC’s annual canned food collection event, was held in May 2014. Volunteers collected canned food donations for distribution to needy families in Jurong West.

In 2014

70 student volunteers from Jurong Junior

College and River Valley High School

4,300 families were engaged

11,420 cans of food were collected

25

LHCST-NKF Dialysis Centre

LHCST-NKF Dialysis Centre provides haemodialysis treatment to kidney patients and promotes maintenance of their physical well-being through rehabilitative facilities. Patients from the centre joined VCS staff on VCS Community Day 2014 in making terrariums.

LHCST-NKF Dialysis Centre

EPC outing to The Escape Artist

EPC Topics for 2014 January One Team, One Family

February Parenting Teens

March My Child is a Star

April Managing Conflicts

May Me and My Habit vs the World

June Health Screening

July Financial Literacy

August Secrets of Happy Marriage

September How to Help Your Child Prepare for Exams

October Worldwide Web at Your Fingertips

November How to be Happy

December Family Bonding @ The Escape Artist

In 2014

$20,000 was contributed and

106 patients received treatment

Enhancing Positive Changes

Enhancing Positive Changes (EPC) helps participants discover their inner strengths to better manage their daily stressors and life challenges through a series of talks and workshops each month.

26

Acknowledgement: We are very grateful to many of you, including our dedicated staff, for your true spirit of giving to

benefit others. We also appreciate the support and guidance from Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Patron of My Centre @ Moulmein,

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, Patron of Viriya Family Service Centre, and Mr Cedric Foo, Patron of Whispering Hearts Family Service

Centre.

Reported by: Ms Jenny Lim

President

20 March 2015

Our Mission: Viriya Community Services aims to bring joy and enhance the quality of life by providing care and assistance

to families and individuals in need of support regardless of race and religion.

Registered office:

72 Shrewsbury Road Singapore 307837

Tel: 6256 1311 Fax: 6251 7797

Email: jennylim@viriya.org.sg

Website: www.viriya.org.sg

Online donation: www.sggives.org/vcs