LOOKING BACK AT 2014 MALEFICENT CHARITY FILM PREVIEW

Multiple Academy Award winner and interna- A publication of Singapore After-Care Association tional superstar Angelina Jolie starred in Disney’s untold story of one of its most iconic villains, Maleficent, whose pure heart was cast into stone due to a grievous betrayal by some- one she trusted. This beautiful American fantasy film placed a dark spin on Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty” and reminds us not to be too quick to vilify certain characters, as even the seemingly most heinous of villains might Police Force) came in full force and occupied 2 ELEB have their own sad story to tell. Such is true for whole theatre halls in support of SACA. Many C R other individuals also brought their friends and most of our clients, who have been stigmatised A for a past that might have been partially families to the preview, whose purchase of A T dictated by external circumstances, and whose tickets also contributed to the success of the greatest need is simply some understanding event. Due to the outpouring of support, our C E from those around them. attendees numbered nearly 1,000 strong. Former Senior Minister of Law and Home Affairs A S With the generous support of sponsors includ- and Patron of SACA, Associate Professor Ho Peng ing Lee Foundation, Kuan Im Tng Temple (Joo Kee, also graced the preview as our Guest of S Chiat), Super Galvanising, Yi Kai Development, Honour, further lending support to SACA’s cause NTUC FairPrice Foundation and many others, the of helping offenders and ex-offenders to get event held at Golden Village VivoCity was a back on their feet. SACA managed to raise resounding success. Resorts World Sentosa and $134,760 to fund programmes for the year the Volunteer Special Constabulary (Singapore through the preview.

We owe thanks and gratitude to these big-hearted individuals and sponsors who have substantially contributed to our funds to ensure that SACA can continue with its cause.

Helping ex-offenders and their families get back on their feet

12 SACA CELEBRATES SG50! THE PRISON WITHIN A CARE NETWORK-NANYANG POLYTECHNIC MUSICAL PRODUCTION

SACA (as part of the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (CARE) Network) kick started the year 2015 with much fanfare with the staging of the musical production The Prison Within in collaboration with Nanyang Polytechnic – specifically the faculty of Social Work from the School of Health Sciences – and in support of the Yellow Ribbon Project. The musical event which took place on Saturday, 17 January 2015 served as the curtain-raiser for the CARE Network’s yearlong SG50 celebration which also coincides with the Network’s 15th Anniversary.

The musical by the 2nd year Social Work students The Association was honoured to have Dr is a creative attempt to highlight an often Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (Minister of State, neglected group that suffers silently when an Ministry of National Development & Ministry of individual is incarcerated – their family. It is Defence and Mayor, South East District) grace worth noting that the idea for the musical came the event as our Guest of Honour. He had a mainly from the NYP students; SACA is heartened surprise appearance and role in the big finale that young people such as them are able to be scene at the staged CARE Network Fair, where he sensitive to the needs of an often neglected assumed the role of Guest of Honour for both the group, the families of offenders, and want to use Fair and the musical event itself. He also shared this production as a means to reach out to their his thoughts on the trials faced by unintended peers to raise awareness of the need of such victims of incarceration – the families of people in our midst and how we can do our part for ex-offenders, the importance of acceptance of and volunteers provided core manpower in the The event received extensive press coverage them in our personal capacity. ex-offenders by family and the community, how running of the event. Feedback received from before and after the event day on various media the social work students of today industry partners and the public was positive; platforms such as print ( – zbNOW), are the social work ambassadors of there were even calls from related parties to radio (Capital 95.8 interview with guest actress the future, and how youths play an restage the musical! CARE Network and Nanyang Catherine Sng and NYP student representative Teo integral role in society both now Polytechnic were grateful and extended their Yi Xuan), and online (Lianhe Zaobao Online, OMY.sg, and in the future. thanks for the support rendered by SACA staff and Capital 95.8 (Facebook), and Alvinology.com). volunteers. The event saw an overwhelming response and turnout of more than 1,100 guests made up of youths, industry partners and supportive members of the public – creating an almost full house situation in the 1,200-seater auditorium at Nanyang Polytechnic. A total of 50 SACA staff

2 3 GIVING GETS MORE GIVING GETS MORE REWARDING IN 2015 REWARDING IN 2015 EXTENSION OF CARE & SHARE MATCHING GRANT BUDGET 2015

In October 2013, Community Chest announced Let’s Get Down to Details On 23 Feb 2015, the Budget Statement for FY2015 was delivered the Care & Share @ SG50 Movement to encourage The Government has agreed to an extension of – with several measures affecting charities such as SACA: corporations and individuals to work with the matching grant support for the Care & Share voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) to help Movement till 31 Mar 2016, and the Government is Fostering a Spirit of Giving those with less. In support of the Movement, the providing an additional grant of $250 million. This Charitable donations have risen significantly in recent years. government set aside $250 million to match doubles the total matching grant for Care & Individual donations in 2014 reached an all-time high of $1.25 eligible donations raised by Community Chest Share to $500 million. The qualifying period is now billion, or a 30% increase from 2008. and over 200 participating VWOs between 1 from 1 Dec 2013 to 31 Mar 2016 (i.e. qualifying December 2013 and 31 December 2014. More than period has been extended 15 months from 31 Dec The Government recently announced an extension of the $300 million was raised by Community Chest and 2014). matching grant support for the Care & Share Movement till 31 the VWOs, and over 110,000 volunteers were Mar 2016, and they are providing an additional grant of $250 engaged through more than 2,000 fund-raising Matching ratio (from the initial 1x matching for million. This doubles the total matching grant for Care & Share and volunteerism events. Together with the first $1 mil): to $500 million. government matching, the social service sector now has more resources to serve Singaporeans Donation to be matched Matching Ratio Enhanced Tax Deduction for Donations in 2015 better, through new programmes, infrastructural Tax deduction will be increased from 250% to 300% for developments and capability building. First $1 mil 1.25x matching donations made in this Jubilee Year. The 250% tax deduction for donations, which was to expire at the end of 2015, will also Next $1 mil 1x matching “Many participating VWOs have told Community be extended for another three years till the end of 2018. Chest that the Government’s support has helped them garner more donors and volunteers. We Donations eligible for matching are all cash Taken together with the Care & Share matching grant support, want to build on this momentum. I am very happy donations and donations-in-kind (subject to IRAS measures put in place by the Government effectively multiply to announce that the Government will extend guidelines) as well as donations from the every dollar that the community is giving. For every dollar that our support for the Care & Share @ SG50 President’s Challenge. you donate in 2015, the Government is more than doubling it. Movement until 31 March 2016. The Government and the Tote Board will set aside another $250 The matching grant should be used to develop Encouraging a Culture of Giving from Young million, doubling the total Government matching VWOs in the social service sector through any of Schools will work with their students to identify suitable grant for Care & Share to $500 million,” said Mr the following areas: Capability Building, Capacity beneficiaries as part of values-in-action education. The idea is Chan Chun Sing, then-Minister for Social and Building, New Initiatives/Expansion of existing for them to choose IPC charities – not only to raise funds for Family Development, at the SG Care & Share Day services, and Critical Existing Needs. them, but to do projects with them in the community. To on 25 January 2015. support this effort, the Government will donate $20,000 to each school to use for the causes that they identify. This initiative will be extended to Polytechnics and ITE, for which Source: Strong Community Response Spurs Government Support of Another $250 Million For The Care the Government will donate $150,000 and $250,000 & Share Movement (Corporate Communications, National Council For Social Service, 23 January 2015) respectively on behalf of each institution.

Source: Singapore Budget 2015 (Ministry of Finance, 23 February 2015)

4 5 SACA IN THE NEWS

MEDIA INTERVIEW AND COVERAGE OF DESMOND* (SACA CLIENT) & ASHER (SACA CASE MANAGER) FOR CNY FEATURE

This Chinese New Year, one of our clients, Desmond*, was interviewed and featured in a CNY special, with the focus of the interview being his reintegration into the society and his thoughts about celebrating Chinese New Year with his family for the first time since his release. SACA’s role in Desmond’s reinte- gration process included helping him with accommodation, employment, goal setting and target achievement.

His case manager, Ms Asher Tay, was also inter- viewed and featured alongside Desmond’s story.

The story was picked up and published throughout the Chinese New Year celebration period by The New Paper, The New Paper Online, The New Paper (Facebook), Shinmin Daily, , NewsHub, Hardware Zone Forum, Aflamhd.org, Lianhe Zaobao, and Lianhe Zaobao Online. The story certainly struck a chord amongst Singaporeans as articles telling the story were being shared and reposted online numerous times. It is indeed heartening to see the level of support the public has for well-meaning ex-offenders who are determined to make good after their less-than-ideal past. Desmond’s core message to all offenders and ex-offenders alike was made loud and clear – to actively seek and accept the help and resources made available by organisations such as SACA to ease their reintegration into society.

*To protect the confidentiality of our client, his name has been changed to a pseudonym.

7 SACA IN THE COMMUNITY SACA IN THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY SERVICE @ SREE NARAYANA MISSION COMMUNITY SERVICE @ APEX HARMONY LODGE HOME FOR THE AGED SICK A total of 31 clients and staff made their way to SACA’s Case Management (CM) team organised During lunchtime, Apex Harmony Lodge on Sunday, 3 May to give the first community service event for the year clients got the back to the community by spending time with at Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged opportunity to the elderly and engaging them in simple yet fun Sick on 19 April. A total of 29 clients and staff assist with feed- activities to brighten up their morning. volunteered their time and energy to the event ing, as most of The event participants kicked off the morning meant for the elderly patients there. the residents are with an introductory talk regarding dementia – unable to feed the primary ailment that most of the residents themselves and at Apex Harmony Lodge are suffering from. require additional Armed with a newfound understanding, the assistance. This During lunchtime, clients get the opportunity clients helping to wheel in the residents to the task may sound simple and easy but it actually to take part in a special tour of the premises – hall and started a slew of fun-filled activities requires a lot of patience, courage and fortitude. getting the chance to view firsthand the facili- and games such as a modified version of Snakes Clients were more than willing to render help to ties and services provided at Apex Harmony & Ladders, the ever-popular Bingo and a colour- ensure the patients were eating well. Lodge. Clients listened intently to the facilita- ing activity after which they could bring their tor as she gave insights into the daily lives and The community service event was a success artworks back to their respective wards to be routines of the residents there. displayed there. One of the clients also played The Sunday morning kicked off with the clients judging from the positive feedback received. The the keyboard and sang to popular English and helping to wheel in the residents to the hall, level of engagement and enthusiasm that the SACA clients and staff who participated in the Chinese tunes which got some of the more followed by a ball of fun-filled activities and clients showed was quite impressive. It was indeed community service felt that their time spent mobile residents there up and moving, truly games such as modified version of Snakes & a well-spent Sunday – meaningful & heartwarming. there was to promote the positive values of having a great time. Ladders, “Flying Balloons” and “Hentam Bola” self-fulfillment, giving back to the community (hitting cans/bowling pins with a ball). Not only and most importantly, to spread the message did the residents have fun, clients and staff too of love and care to the elderly patients – and enjoyed themselves playing the various games truly, they did. and especially interacting with the residents. After sweating it out and having a good laugh through the games, residents were treated to some art and craft activities after which they could bring their artworks back to their respec- tive wards to be displayed there.

8 9 LOOKING BACK AT 2014 “YOU ARE OUR TREASURE” VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT

The people who stand with SACA as volunteers are integral to the mission we undertake and they are truly one of SACA’s greatest treasures. On 14 November 2014, SACA’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Night was held at the Furama Riverfront Hotel. SACA was honoured to have Speaker of Parliament, Madam Halimah Yacob, as our Guest of Honour for the night.

The night was filled with good food, entertaining games and insightful sharing by ex-clients and partners. The highlight of the evening was the themed photo booth where guests were allowed to bring home their photo printouts as well as the lucky draw where most volunteers went home with prizes. The evening also witnessed the awards presentation for volunteers who have surpassed all expectations in dedicating their time and effort to the cause of reintegration of ex-offenders.

The following are the special individuals recognised this year:

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2014 • Chia Heng Wah Eric Outstanding New Volunteer Award 2014 • Mimi Marhaini Masri Merit Award 2014 • Chieng Hoe Ming Angel • Lok Siew Lian • Nurshifa Binte Hanif

VOLUNTEERS ThankYOU ARE OUR TREASURE you 10 11