Celebrating two decades of serving the community

Reverend Dominic Yeo, President of Care Community Services Society,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good Evening. I am delighted to celebrate Care Community Services Society (CCSS)'s 20th Anniversary with all of you. It is wonderful to see so many volunteers, community partners and sponsors, coming together in support of the many beneficiaries.

Empowering individuals to pay it forward

2. Founded in 1996, CCSS first started by providing meal services to the elderly at Leng Kee Community Centre and the children at the student care centre in Townsville Primary School. It has since expanded its services and programmes to support four main groups – Children, Youth, Elderly and Ex-Offenders.

3. Over the years, CCSS has initiated many programmes and services to support the vulnerable in the community. They now operate student care centres in four primary schools, providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children.

4. They also offer counselling to at-risk youths to help bring about positive changes to their lives and support the re-integration of ex-offenders. They run Senior Activity Centres to care for the elderly.

5. Collectively, CCSS serves more than 800 beneficiaries a year. In the process, many lives have been transformed. Take the example of 'John' a beneficiary of CARE Prison Services who is a father of four. After John was imprisoned for drug related offence, his family was greatly affected. A daughter ran away from home, while another was sent to a girls' home. His two sons did badly in school.

6. Witnessing these, John was greatly affected. He resolved to rebuild his family after his release. With the help of a case worker, John and his wife worked through their marital and parenting problems, and he received counselling for drug abuse.

7. Over time, John regained the trust of his wife and took on a full-time job as a driver. His daughters returned home and his sons did better in school. By helping John resolve his issues, CCSS created a ripple effect with positive impact on the lives of his family members.

Building a caring society through community and corporate partnerships

8. CCSS's impact on the community over the past 20 years is possible only with the strong support of corporate partners, volunteers and donors like you.

9. It is dedicated towards developing strong partnerships between the community and the volunteers. By rallying the various sectors of the society – businesses, schools, VWOs, and the government, CCSS is able to magnify its impact multi-fold to achieve a greater outcome.

10. I am happy to know that corporates like Deutsche Bank and Dairy Farm Singapore, have contributed staff volunteers, resources, and finances in support of CCSS, for more than a decade. Just last year, Deutsche Bank and CCSS celebrated 15 years of friendship, while Dairy Farm Singapore co-organised the annual Charity Golf event with CCSS this year for the 12th time. Well done!

Promoting volunteerism

11. Indeed, there is a need for all of us, the corporates, VWOs and big-hearted individuals, to reach out to the less privileged in our midst. The Government takes a special interest in volunteerism and giving back by the community.

12. This year, MCCY partnered the Ministry of Finance and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore to initiate the Business and Institutions of Public Character (IPCs) Partnership Scheme, which aims to promote employee volunteerism. Companies are eligible for a 250% tax deduction when their employees volunteer or when they provide services to IPCs.

13. In June this year, I launched the Company of Good programme, led by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, to encourage more giving among businesses. This programme will help companies incorporate corporate social responsibility as part of their business, and recognise them for their giving efforts.

14. Through such initiatives, I hope more corporations will recognise the importance of giving back to the community, and channel resources to help VWOs like CCSS in their causes.

15. While maintaining a stable economy and achieving prosperity are important indicators of a progressive nation, a nation is only successful when there is a widespread culture of giving where those who have help those who have not. In MCCY, we see volunteerism as an important “social glue” that binds us together. When we care and look out for one another, we erase the differences between us and stay united as one people.

Conclusion

16. On this note, I would like to congratulate the management and staff of CCSS, for your dedication and commitment to empower the disadvantaged and under-privileged among us. I would also like to thank all the corporate organisations, community partners, schools, donors and volunteers for your contributions.

17. Let us continue to care and look out for one another. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of others, and make Singapore a better Home for all.

18. Thank you.