QUICK CONTENTS FACTS 3 MAYOR’S MESSAGE North East Community Development Council 4 CHILDREN & YOUTH (North East CDC) was set up in 7 SPECIAL NEEDS 1997, serving a population of over 815,000 residents in three Group 8 ELDERLY Representation Constituencies (Aljunied, Pasir Ris–Punggol and 10 FAMILY Tampines) and two Single 12 SOCIAL ASSISTANCE Member Constituencies (Hougang and Punggol East). The CDC is 14 EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING headed by Mayor Teo Ser Luck, who took office on 30 May 2009. 16 CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS As a local administrator, North 18 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY East CDC works closely with community and corporate partners 20 GREEN to plan and initiate community programmes in view of promoting 21 OTHER GROUND ENGAGEMENT social bonding and cohesion. 22 FINANCIAL We also adminster national financial assistance schemes from 23 CORPORATE PARTNERS various Ministries, and local social 24 COMMUNITY PARTNERS assistance schemes for residents. 25 CORPORATE SPONSORS 26 THE YEAR IN BRIEF MAYOR’S MESSAGE Economic growth is only one GOING GREEN aspect of a first-world society. In A clean and healthy environment an age where stiff competition is is essential for the growth of any the norm, it is equally important community; however, it is one to ensure that nobody gets left of the things that people tend behind. As such, we are always to take for granted. With this in finding ways to help the less mind, North East CDC has privileged residents in the organised several green initiatives community. to allow residents to better understand and appreciate their ASSISTANCE SCHEME natural surroundings. Green Trail Our Community Vouchers were @ Lorong Halus is the result of a given out to more than 600 one-year partnership between the low-income residents from 7 Singapore Environment divisions as of June 2013. Many Council (SEC) and North East neighbourhood businesses are on CDC. Trained volunteers conduct board this programme, with some weekly trails in order to raise sponsoring part of the vouchers’ environmental awareness among value - a heartwarming display of residents, and foster a heightened kampong spirit indeed. Other sense of concern regarding the initiatives include the Community environment. Employment Programme, which offers residents both interim Other initiatives include the North employment and work East Eco Kids Programme, which experience, and the Tuition hopes to cultivate an Subsidy Programme. The latter environmentally-friendly mindset provides children from needy among the younger generation, MR TEO SER LUCK families with affordable tuition by and the launch of the Environment Mayor, North East District subsidising up to 90% of the Watch Group (EWG). The latter payable amount. Piloted at consists of trained volunteers Hougang RC Zone 3 in May 2012, who conduct monthly educational the Tuition Subsidy Programme rounds, and covers a broad was subsequently rolled out to 13 spectrum of issues from public other divisions, and has benefited health to environmental In conclusion, community more than 600 students to date. protection. building is not just about sharing laughs and fun times, but CARE MOVING FORWARD also the willingness to come for- The North East CDC CARE Team is In an age where citizens are ward and extend a helping hand a group of committed and becoming increasingly tech-savvy, whenever it is needed. The passionate volunteers who it makes sense to engage the bond and trust within the com- provide support to the elderly, community through social munity can only get stronger when special needs and low-income networking platforms, such as we help one another. On behalf of residents. The fact that the Facebook and Twitter. Not only North East CDC, I thank you for volunteers are residents will residents and partners receive your support and we look themselves makes the support regular updates on upcoming forward to building and more sustainable, and goes to activities, these platforms also strengthening ties with our show that help can come from serve as a forum for constructive neighbours, volunteers and within the community, as well as feedback and discussion. We are partners in the coming years. without. There are 201 volunteers also using social media to assisting 222 beneficiaries as of mobilise the community. At North today. East district, we are always in need of volunteers who are willing to come forward to help us with our programmes. 3 CHILDREN & YOUTH North East School Meal Fund Launched in 2007, the North East School Meal Fund programme provides needy students with lunch money in the event that they have to stay back for school activities. Each primary and secondary school student receives $1.50 and $2.00 respectively for every such occasion. 1817 students benefited from the fund in FY12/13 with a total disbursement of $662,770 to date. This is an increase from $598,213 for FY11/12. Community Give Back North East School Kit Fund The North East School Kit Fund provides needy students with basic schooling necessities, such as school shoes and stationery, at the beginning of each year. 1529 students benefited from the fund in FY12/13. Tampines Football Academy Jointly organized by the North East CDC, Tampines GRC, and Tampines Rovers Football Club, the Tampines Football Academy aims to provide students aged 10-16 with the opportunity to train and Science Explorers’ Camp play with professional football coaches and players. Besides inculcating key North East CDC, together with Acumen values such as teamwork, self-confidence Research Laboratories, launched the and sportsmanship, it also hopes to keep Science Explorer Camp in June 2010 as participants gainfully occupied without part of its effort to promote innovation compromising on their academic results. and scientific interest among the younger More than 705 children and youths took generation. The programme hopes to OUR part in the events organized by the allow children from less fortunate families Tampines Football Academy, which acquire a broader understanding of YOUNG include the Football Carnival, Football science subjects through workshops with Dads Day Camp, Futsal Tournament, and hands-on experiments which SCIENTISTS and Overseas Training Tour. complement their school syllabus. 204 students benefited from the programme in 2012. In FY12/13, North East CDC also engaged grassroots and students from ITE College East to volunteer in the programme. 4 District Arts Festival North East ‘Live It Up’ Fund The North East District Arts Festival North East CDC and Singapore Street aims to: Festival held youth programmes (such as The North East CDC ‘Live It Up’ Fund yoyo competition and Magic Shows) in provides North East residents gifted in • Promote the arts within the heart July 2012 in the heartlands. The youths the arts, music, academics, or sports with lands, and allow residents to better were given opportunities to express their financial support to further their talents. appreciate various arts forms. creativity through the Arts. The highlight • Provide a platform for youths to of the District Arts Festival 2012 was The fund provided support to 6 showcase their creativity. “The Chamber of Secrets Magic Show”, individuals in FY12/13. • Provide a platform for the community where they had the chance to work with to nurture their interest in the arts, local choreographer Farhan Hassan and raise their awareness of various art Australian magician Adam Mada. forms, and enhance their talent, expressions and appreciation for art. North East Education Award In FY12/13, the North East Education Award, benefited 52 primary students, 54 secondary students, 2 JC students and 25 ITE students living in the North East district. Besides motivating students to excel in their studies, the award also serves to acknowledge students with compassion, commitment, and other values paramount to life beyond the classroom. 5 OPEN LECTURES OPENLECTURES SCORES WITH GCE “A” LEVEL STUDENTS Openlectures Launched on 17 August 2012, openlectures’ objective was to be an additional platform for students to learn and understand the subjects better through the sharing of simple online video lectures, produced by students, for students. Since its launch, 73,312 people have watched at least one video on the site. The North East CDC-openlectures Youth Interest Group is made up of young Singaporeans who have volunteered to produce free online video lectures covering the GCE A-level syllabus in Singapore. More than 1,300 videos have been filmed and have benefitted online viewers as far as the US and Brazil, with the nearest being Malaysia. As a group of high school and university students, openlectures believes that quality education should be free and accessible to everyone, and success should be determined by one’s effort, and not wealth. 6 SPECIAL NEEDS HELPING HANDS Integration and Bonding Programme Part of North East CDC’s efforts to create bonding opportunities for residents living in the North East District, the Integration and Bonding Programme aims to help individuals with special needs integrate into society, while at the same time promote family cohesion. In FY 12/13, North East CDC worked closely with Pathlight and Metta Schools as well as volunteers to conduct 3 runs of activities, e.g. Baking and bowling, for a total of 200 participants. Special Talent Fund The Special Talent Fund was set up to encourage people with disabilities - more specifically those who have demonstrated potential in the arts, music, academics, or sports—to further their talents. There were 11 successful applications in FY 12/13. 7 ELDERLY Falls Prevention & Public Education Talk North East CDC launched its first Falls Prevention and Public Education Talk for the elderly on 12 May 2012. Conducted in Hougang Community Centre, the talk aims to: • Provide health screening for the elderly who are at higher risk of falls; • Prevent falls among the elderly through public education; • Teach residents about osteoporosis and how to build and maintain stronger bones through exercise and diet; • Provide a community approach to tackle aging issues with the following up with elderly participants after their health screening.