WATZUP!An AMKFSC Community Services Ltd employee newsletter

Oct - Dec 2015

From the Editor-in-Chief ❧ In this issue ❧ Dear Comrades,

Happy New Year!

2015 had been an exceptionally special year for our country. celebrated our Golden Jubilee amidst much fanfare, strengthening bonds and creating new memories. The same could be said for our Agency. You have worked hard to ensure events went on without a hitch, welcomed new colleagues into the family and fostered ties through staff retreats and activities.

Over the years, the Agency has produced winners amongst the social services 2 Isaac Teo: We achieve more sector. This year, Isaac received the Promising Social Worker Award 2015 as a team from President Tony Tan, in recognition for his work at Transition Plus. You can read more about him in this issue. 3 Events at a Glance BASIC Year-End Concert 2015 NCS Charity Carnival 2015 There is so much to look forward to in the coming year, including Central Cluster opening and the launch of Recipe Retrospective, a wealth of recipes 4 Events at a Glance contributed by the COMNET elderly. So, let us have T.E.A – togetherness, Block party @ 323 engagement, adaptability – as we strive to achieve our mission of supporting and strengthening individuals and families residing and employed within the , and communities. 5 Events at a Glance GEMS Family Day 2015 Promote a sense of togetherness within the Agency. Your colleagues are your Little Draws for AMKFSC second family. It is important that you are excited about coming to work each day, that you are being surrounded by people who share the same dreams as 6 It’s Your Special Day! you do, and knowing that you are doing amazing work to serve the needs of Welcome to the AMKFSC Family our clients. Congrats on your promotions

Engage your colleagues. Sometimes, problems cannot be solved alone. When different people come together, brainstorming generates creative solutions to obstacles you once thought may be too diffcult to overcome. So talk to your friends, learn about their work and help one another along the way.

Adapt to changes. Trends come and go. It is crucial that you familiarise Submit stories and feedback to us yourself with the changing landscape of the social services sector, especially at [email protected]. donor and volunteer management and engagement. Consider their attention Published by AMKFSC Community span in our fast-paced society, and what we, as an Agency, can offer them. Services Ltd. For internal circulation only. Once again, thank you very much for your dedication and hard work. May 2016 be yet another unforgettable year for all of us. Editor: Joelle Chong (Corporate coummnications) Dr Vincent Ng 1 Team spirit is very important in our line “of work. “ Isaac Teo: We achieve more as a team

It does not take long for one to exposed to the fast-paced, high- not need to be seen in totality, but warm up to Isaac, Centre Manager impact community-based work in that small successes mattered too,” at Transition Plus+. His laid-back Transition Plus+. Isaac added. and unassuming demeanor makes it easy for anyone to However, the 32-year-old approach and speak to the stressed the importance of 32-year-old. teamwork, expressing that his successes would not be possible On November 30, Isaac without his fellow comrades. received the Promising Social Worker Award 2015 To Isaac, one of the most from President Tony Tan rewarding aspects of his job is for his work at Transition having a group of committed Plus+, following in colleagues and a supportive the footsteps of fellow agency that encouraged him to colleagues Fareez and Sin pull through tough times. Yan. He had established a system that encourages the He added, “Team spirit is very needy to give back. important in our line of work.” Despite his achievement today, “It was not a freshly baked system Isaac’s career had not always been When asked of his New Year’s per se. It is an enhancement of ideas smooth-sailing. There was a time resolutions, Isaac said, “There are that was localise in the Singapore when he had second thoughts about exciting plans in the future. [I hope context […] I reworked classic his job, because his unrealistic to] craft out new initiatives and community work ideas to ft local expectations of wanting to solve continue to infuence my idea of needs,” he said. every single problem were not met. work to the rest of the agency.” 2The idea came about when he was “Gradually, I realised change did Events at a Glance BASIC wraps up the year with roaring performances

With about 200 event goers in attendance, the annual BASIC Year- End Concert (YEC) concluded the year on a high note. Children from all three BASIC in a joint performance of ‘Flashlight’. This year, in line with the SG50 theme, our staff members and families of the BASIC children were treated to games children are the future. the BASIC cohort joined hands one may fnd at old-school carnivals, and performed a glowing rendition including ring toss and pinball. There After an award ceremony, where of ‘Flashlight’, expressing their was also a photo booth for those who the Chairman gave out awards to appreciation for their parents, staff wanted a keepsake from the night. the Most Improved Child, the Most and teachers at the various BASIC Responsible Child, the Child of the centres, volunteers, as well as After a quick buffet dinner, YEC2015 Centre, as well as the Most Supportive student volunteers from the National promptly began with a speech by Parent, the concert kicked off. University of Singapore and Anderson Mr Cyril Chua, the Chairman of Junior College. AMKFSC. The children had everyone’s attention right from the start, putting up In her closing speech, Hilyah, Deputy “I always look forward to this end- a powerful and energetic stomp Director for the Northeast Cluster, of-year concert, as it gives me a great performance, dancing and knocking thanked the parents for their support. opportunity to see how our BASIC their homemade instruments to The children and staff from BASIC children have grown,” he said. ‘Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)’ and then came together for a group photo. Perhaps the most memorable part was ‘Bang Bang Bang’. Keeping the Photos may serve as reminders, when Mr Chua sang a bit of Louis energy up, the BASIC kids sang to but surely the children’s feelings Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Roar’. and experiences at the event will be World’, as he reminded us that forever etched in their hearts. ‘Rock & Roll’ and ‘Flags Up’ later, NCS Charity Carnival 2015

The interior of the NCS building was spent time teaching and helping transformed into an indoor festival, children at the centres to craft items adorned with colourful decorations including hand-painted magnets and and flled with makeshift booths. cups. The children’s efforts were recognised, when the crowd clearly NCS Pte Ltd had not only graciously fell in love with their masterpieces Children’s hand-painted cups on sale. offered their offce space for the and snapped them up later. NCS Charity Carnival 2015, held on October 8, their staff had also taken All the toiling in the Bakery Hearts time out to volunteer at the centres kitchen paid off as well. Freshly under our Northeast cluster prior to baked goodies such as brownies the event. and sugared cookies in attractive packaging caught the eyes of passers- The employee volunteers sponsored by, who gladly pulled out wallets to some money to buy materials, and purchase the confectionery. 3 Events at a Glance Fostering the kampong spirit at 323

Family Services @ Teck Ghee launched their frst ever block party on December 13. And boy, was it entertaining! The elderly were treated to free haircuts and massages, while children were absorbed in colouring activities, balloon sculpting and face painting.

When a teenager participating in the Kendama competition completed a routine of seven tricks – the frst to do so – surprised shouts erupted from the holding corner, where the rest of his competitors were waiting for their turns. Embarrassed, the champion trudged over, earning pats on the back from his peers.

This was the camaraderie and another,” he added. Thirteen-year-old Irfaan, who friendship between neighbours that participated in the Little Draws event our Honorary Advisor Dr Vasoo The staff from Cheng San FSC the previous week, volunteered to spoke of in his speeches, conducted were supported by their volunteers, draw caricatures for event goers. in four languages for the beneft of who helped to man the free market, He even drew one of Dr Vasoo, who the residents, comprising people of the ice-cream machine and buffet. joked and complimented, “I look various races and ages. Bakery Hearts was also on site, a little fat in the drawing, but it’s giving everybody a taste of what okay. He will get better with time “I think this is a great opportunity designing sugared cookies was all and more practice.” for families and the community about. to come, and interact with one

4 (From L to R) Dr Vasoo, Irfaan, Dr Vincent Ng Events at a Glance Little Draws, Big Hearts

The uncle, the frst of many volunteers, selected nine-year-old Christopher to draw his portrait, and frequently muttered supporting messages. Although Christopher took double the time to complete a drawing, compared to the older children, and was slightly unnerved by the experience, he was nonetheless heartened when the generous uncle dropped a S$50 note into the collection tin.

However, the MVP of the day went to 16-year-old Shawn, who gamely challenged himself, drawing not Peter Draws and Christopher posing with a shopper, who had her portrait drawn. only adults and children, but also a toddler. The child’s mother was Despite an early call time, four to draw caricatures for shoppers, to so pleased with his work, she even young budding artists were bundles raise funds. requested for a photograph! of energy, revving to start at the Little Draws for AMKFSC event, “I will do it,” an elderly patron A total of S$471.15 was raised held at NEX Shopping Mall on agreed immediately. He added, “It’s and went towards the purchase of December 5, 2015. a meaningful experience for these books, stationery and other school children. Since they are helping necessities for Cheng San FSC’s Led by local social entrepreneur other people, we should encourage Achieving Kids programme. Peter Draws, the quartet, between them by agreeing to be their the ages of nine and 16, volunteered models.” A Day to Remember

The Growing Everyone’s games to engage the Meaningful Stories (GEMS) Family participants before the Day 2015 would defnitely be a event offcially began. story for the participants to tell in days to come. Children waited with bubbling anticipation, Our Northeast Cluster, comprising taking in the saccharine Sengkang Family Service Centre, smell of fairy foss Punggol Family Service Centre and and fresh popcorn that Nexus Family Resource Centre, flled the air, while awarded to everyone for their was tasked with the organisation they queued to get their portion. enthusiasm. of the event, which was held at the Everyone sat on the edge of their Singapore Discovery Centre on seats, hoping to win something from The organising committee might November 22. the lucky draw segment. have put in countless of hours for the preparation, but everything was The bright and cheery weather lifted Family members forging strong worth the effort, upon seeing the everybody’s spirits. Excitement was bonds with one another through sincere laughs and sticky tiny hands palpable at the venue. The emcees various activities, and prizes were at the end of the day. prepared a series of ice-breaking 5 It's Your Let us celebrate the birthdays of our colleagues Special Day! born between the months of January and March.

January February March Chong Choon Chee Brenda Then Hui Wen Parandaman s/o Thechanamurthi George Lee Yew Wah Tan Yen Na Lee Tyan Tyan Josephine Tan Gek Lan Mabel Kong Lai Fong Tan Lee Min Sharon Ng Xuyin Sarah Banupriya Syaima Binte Abdul Talib Lee Yue Yun Anny Rodjito Jenny Lim Pek Yan Shirley Woo Shi Min Ernie Lydia Binte Abu Yamin Rajaletchumi d/o Sekar Tan Siew Foong Jesline Teo Kia Ling Khalisah Binte Samsuri Bryan Chung Hoe Weng Siti Raudhah Binte Azman Alvin Mak Hoi Kit Azhar Bin Muhamad Saleh Sharifah Fadilah Binte Ahmad Alhabshi Lim Shu Ling Doris Wooi Miao Fung Dominic Yeo Kian Tong Siti Nur Hidayah Binte Mohamed Amin Salina Binte Hassan Nur Amirah Binte Gasali Ng Koon Sing Massitha Binte Ismail Lim Shen Yong Terence Liam Eng Soon Nurul Haiza Binti Rosly David Goh Thiam Seng Gladdys Heng Yan Qi Steven Peh Kwong Yen Tan Jia Hui Michelle Lee Wan Qi Lim Kim Buay Quak Lip Yee Masturawati Bte Jamaluddin Zakiyah Binte Ibrahim

the Nexus FRC Joined on BASIC (Ang Mo Kio) Joined on e to ! om ily Nadira Binte Ahmad 24.08.2015 Priscilla Ang Pei Si 15.09.2015 elc am W C F Nur Amirah Binte Gasali 01,10.2015 KFS AM Transition Plus+ BASIC (Cheng San) Nadiah Binte Shafee 20.07.2015 Eric Soong Yu Kiat 01.11.2015 Corporate services Joined on Joelle Chong Wei Shan 01.12.2015

Ang Mo Kio Huzaifah Bin Hassan 11.08.2015 K S Vikneshan 01.12.2015 Congratulations on your promotions

Cheng San (with effect from 01.07.2015) Siti Raudhah Binte Azman 01.08.2015 Goh Zhong Yi 17.08.2015 Khalisah Bte Samsuri Deputy Head (Sengkang FSC) Moagana Rani d/o Rajagopal Senior Social Worker (Youth Infnity) Sengkang Audrey Teng Ying Tong 01.07.2015 Isaac Teo Lai Huat Manager/Senior Social Worker (IRH) Ng Yihui 01.07.2015 Gay Ling Fang Senior Social Worker (Sengkang FSC) Marina Hanim Binte Habib Hussain Senior Social Worker (Cheng San FSC) Punggol Norsalha Bte Mohamad Senior Social Worker (Cheng San FSC) Azhar Bin Muhamad Saleh 01.07.2015 Mohd Fadil Bin Hassan 01.07.2015 Seow Kwee Yong Assistant Senior Counsellor (Sengkang FSC) Nurul Haiza Binti Rosly 01.08.2015 Lim Shen Yong Assistant Senior Social Worker (Youth Infnity) Diana Koh Chin Mei 01.10.2015 Yasmin Bte Abdul Rahim Assistant Senior Social Worker (Sengkang FSC) COMNET Massitha Bte Ismail Assistant Senior Social Worker (Punggol FSC) Lim Wei Lin 01.07.2015 Quak Lip Yee Social Work Associate (COMNET) Lim Tze Siang 01.07.2015 Suriani Binte Umar 20.07.2015 (with effect from 01.01.2016) Goh Sok Leng 01.08.2015 Brian Koh Jiesheng 15.09.2015 Natalie Lim Deputy Head (Ang Mo Kio FSC) Jocelyn Toh Yang Ling 01.12.2015 Yong Chin Ping Assistant Senior Social Worker (Nexus FRC) Cherlene Lim Ze Lin 01.12.2015 6