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The Beneficiary Organisations
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Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2007 aims to raise $500,000 towards the cause “Youth at Risk”. This section of the community includes underprivileged youths between the ages of 12 and 21 years old, who are at risk of drugs, delinquency, crime and abuse.
The three beneficiary organisations of Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2007 are Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls, the Ling Kwang Youth Centre for the underprivileged and The Salvation Army’s Youth Programmes which include Gracehaven, a residential home for young people.
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Open House at the Beneficiary Organisations
Ling Kwang Youth Centre (LKYouth) and Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls (PCWG) held open house sessions recently to give sponsors, supporters and participants of Charity Bike ’n’ Blade an opportunity to find out more about the beneficiaries of this year’s fund raising initiative.
Chang Chian Hui, Director of LKYouth gave a presentation on the services provided by the centre. This was followed by a tour of the facilities, which provided visitors with an opportunity to talk to the youths who were there.
“It was an informative tour. We could see for ourselves, who we’re helping with the money we’re raising,” said Ms Ida Leong, a supporter of Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade.
Another visitor was Ms Cellena Lim, who was there with her husband Sidney Lim. “It’s really an eye opener. Now I can fully appreciate why my husband is undergoing such tough training to prepare for Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade. It’s definitely worth it, to be able to help these children.”
At the PCWG open house on 26 May, visitors were hosted by Mr Alfie Othman, chairman of PCWG, and the centre’s administrator Madam Sahnim Sokaimi.
“The visit to PCWG was (is) good because we got to learn more about the lives of the girls at the centre – where they live and what the centre tries to provide for them,” said Ms Nur Azmah, the volunteer trainer for Charity Bike ‘n’ Blade 2007.
Gracehaven Open House (The Salvation Army)
Date: 9 June 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 am – 12 noon
Address: 3 Lorong Napiri, Singapore 547528
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Ling Kwang Youth Centre
Ling Kwang Youth Centre is a social service centre in Ang Mo Kio catering to children from needy homes, in particular those at risk of straying into teenage gangs or a life of delinquency and drugs. It currently has over 1,000 youths on its register, with about 60 dropping in every day.
Ling Kwang's flagship Home Alone Programme reaches out to those who are still in school but who may not be academically inclined and/or have poor or no parental supervision after school hours. Most are from needy or broken families, or have both parents working late into the night to put food on the table
The centre serves as a point of contact with these youths regardless of race, sex, religion or social status. Initiatives under the Home Alone Programme includes free tuition for academically weaker students, mentoring, the use of the centre's IT facilities for online/LAN games & school projects, as well as outdoor activities. Premature school leavers are encouraged to go back to school and would be extended all possible help in re-enrolment. All aimed at keeping them off the streets and prepare them for greater and meaningful roles in society.
About $350,000 is needed to operate the centre and its programmes each year. Of this, approx. $200,000 is channelled to the Home Alone Programme. Other programmes/field activities & recurrent expenditure accounts for the rest.
The Centre is also actively looking into the setting up of a similar facility in a second neighbourhood, to be close to youths living in one or two-room HDB flats.
Get to know the Beneficiaries
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Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls (PCWG) is a welfare home that helps youths between the ages of 12 and 21. The girls in the home range from victims of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, to those who are beyond parental control as well as young female offenders. Most of them are referred to PCWG by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Family Service Centres and the Court.
About $600,000 is required each year to operate PCWG, which provides quality rehabilitative services to the residents and supports them in maximising their potential for independent living in a safe environment. Key initiatives undertaken by the centre include life skills programmes such as peer mediation, health and wellness and anger management, as well as academic programmes.
An example is the tuition programme which aims to raise the academic abilities and skills of the girls to help put them back into the educational system and ensure that they stay motivated and committed to their academic studies in the core subjects. About 70 per cent of the girls are currently attending school. Funds are also needed to subsidise school expenses such as uniforms and books and other daily necessities for those from needy families.
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“Heart to God, Hand to Man” is The Salvation Army’s mission. These six words speak a universal language to needy and less fortunate individuals.
The Salvation Army is a volunteer welfare organisation which reaches out to about 2,300 beneficiaries daily through its 25 social service centres and programmes. Each year, the Salvation Army requires $20 million to run its programmes and services, of which $7 million is raised from public donations.
Amongst its programmes for young people is Gracehaven, a residential home that cares for up to 160 young persons. Dedicated staff seek to encourage every young person to reach their potential and their ultimate goal is to help them get back on the right track and return home to their families.
The Haven is a children’s home where the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports refers abandoned, abused and neglected children to. The care, concern and support given at The Haven provides stability and security for children from disadvantaged families.
The Army’s Youth Development Centre focuses on helping youths develop and live out their aspirations to become self-assured, self controlled and self-motivated individuals. It reaches out to youths-at-risk via three key approaches of SAM – Sports & Adventure Ministry, YAR – Youth-At-Risk and is a drop-in centre for youths ranging from 12 to 16 years old.
The Personal Development Programme, joint-partnership between the school, parents, students and The Salvation Army to maximise a youth’s potential by utilising a holistic approach to education. This programme focuses on seven key areas of growth which include academic excellence, character and personal development, experiential learning, leadership development service-learning, teamwork and counseling support.
Get to know the Beneficiaries |
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