SG Cares Volunteer Centre launched in Yishun to build up community resources

1. As part of the Singapore Cares (SG Cares) movement to enhance town-based volunteerism and coordinate efforts to meet community needs, the Ministry of Cutlure, Community and Youth (MCCY)’s SG Cares Office and social service agency CampusImpact launched a SG Cares Volunteer Centre (VC) at Yishun town today.

2. The SG Cares VC @ Yishun, which is operated by CampusImpact, will perform a critical role in meeting the needs of the community by mobilising volunteers, coordinating resources, and linking up social service agencies, ground-up initiatives and the grassroots in collaborative projects.

3. To officiate the launch of the SG Cares VC @ Yishun, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr Ang Hak Seng, Deputy Secretary of MCCY, and Ms Elysa Chen, Executive Director of CampusImpact. The ceremony was witnessed by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, and Adviser to Nee Soon GRC GROs, and Mr Ong Chin Hwee, Chairmain of CampusImpact.

4. Associate Professor Faishal said, “The pandemic has caused a severe impact on the vulnerable in our society. At the same time, there is a desire among Singaporeans to care for those who are disadvantaged. The SG Cares Volunteer Centres provide a platform for the people, public and private sectors to come together to do good for the community. The new SG Cares Volunteer Centre in Yishun will enhance and synergise collaborative efforts among social service agencies, corporates, ground-up groups, grassroots and local partners to provide timely and effective support to our residents.”

5. With the signing of the MOU, SG Cares Office will provide support and resources to CampusImpact to grow and coordinate a sustained volunteer pool within Yishun town, curate meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals and partners, and broker effective and sustainable partnerships with community partners to meet the needs of vulnerable residents in Yishun.

6. Dr Ang Hak Seng said, “SG Cares Volunteer Centres are key partners in promoting a coordinated caring ecosystem. They help to grow volunteerism, build volunteer management capabilities and forge partnerships within the community. This will have multiplier-effects as stronger capabilities and well-coordinated programmes will result in needs being more effectively met. This MOU signing affirms the close partnership that the SG Cares Office has with CampusImpact to deepen the caring culture in Yishun town.”

7. Despite the disruptions due to the pandemic, CampusImpact has successfully brought more than 20 community partners together through virtual networking sessions to collaborate in various community projects. One example is the collaboration with Heartware Network in CampusImpact’s flagship programme, Study Buddy, where volunteers were recruited as Study Buddy Guardians to help students aged 7 to 14 acquire academic and social competencies. CampusImpact will step up its efforts to reach out to the rest of Yishun town to grow volunteerism to support the key needs of the town. This includes working with various stakeholders to meet the needs of vulnerable children, youth and families in Yishun.

8. Ms Chen said, “As an organisation that works with young people, CampusImpact is well-placed to harness the energy and enthusiasm of our youth and provide them with opportunities to develop their potential through volunteerism. As a SG Cares Volunteer Centre, we hope to inspire and equip young people to reach for greatness through service to their community.”

9. Since November 2018, the appointment of community-based organisations as SG Cares VCs is a key initiative under the SG Cares movement. To date, there are 14 SG Cares VCs and they have engaged more than 10,000 volunteers, developed 400 volunteer leaders and served over 71,000 beneficiaries. The SG Cares VCs also brokered 175 partnerships involving regular volunteers to support those in need. This is part of the efforts to establish SG Cares VCs in all 24 towns across Singapore by 2022.

For media queries, please contact:

Sharizan Nakmin
Corporate Communications Division 
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Tel: 6977 9186
Email: sharizan_nakmin@mccy.gov.sg

About CampusImpact

CampusImpact is a social service agency based in Yishun that supports children from low-income families. We believe that a strong society is built through strong children and strong families. We provide a safe physical space and engage children with nurturing adults to improve their lives through the joy of a values-led education and academic support in the hopes of preparing the next generation with positive attitudes, purposeful lives and pioneering spirits.

Find out more: www.campusimpact.org.sg.

About SG Cares

SG Cares is a national movement dedicated to building a more caring and inclusive home for all. The movement invites all who live in Singapore to put values into action through active volunteerism, ground-up efforts and everyday acts of care. It also aims to build capability across various sectors and organisations to grow opportunities for volunteering. By inspiring and supporting one another, we can show the world that we are a nation with a big heart.

Find out more: https://www.volunteer.gov.sg/