International Day Of Families: How To Help Those In Need
This Saturday (15 May) is International Day of Families, a UN observance day which celebrates the importance of families while promoting awareness about the various issues that families face worldwide. With the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, safeguarding the wellbeing of families has become more important than ever, such as through social policies which protect vulnerable individuals and families.
For example, Singapore's Family Service Centres (FSCs) provide help and support to individuals and families in need. Staffed by social service professionals, there are 47 FSCs located in various HDB estates across Singapore. These FSCs provide a variety of services, including the following:
- Casework consultations with individuals and families regarding personal, social and emotional challenges
- Counselling for various familial issues such as marital issues, behavioural problems in children, family violence and financial difficulties
- Information and Referral services to link families with further resources to aid them, such as employment agencies and shelters
- Community Support Programmes like reading clubs for children, support groups and workshops
To find the FSC nearest to your home, you can use the FSC E-Locator here
Want to support needy families in Singapore? Here are some ways you can help:
1. Blessings to All Project
About the campaign: The Blessings to All Project aims to provide 20,000 meals for families-in-need and migrant workers in selected factory-converted dormitories.
How to donate: Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $10, $50, $100, $200 or any other amount. Every $50 donation will provide 2 families-in-need with a daily meal.
2. Let No One Go Hungry
About the campaign: This campaign aims to provide monthly food groceries for marginalised families in Singapore living below the poverty line. Donations will support the efforts of Helping & Empowering our Neighbours (HEN), a charity organisation dedicated to assisting low-income families and empowering them with lifelong skills to help them break the poverty cycle.
How to donate: Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $30, $50, $150, $300 or any other amount.
3. Ramadan On Wheels – Embracing Technology Empowering Community
About the campaign: Ramadan On Wheels is a volunteer-driven initiative that provides assistance and support to elderly in need and low-income families who are struggling financially, such as through provision of food hampers and grocery vouchers. The initiative is run by Malay Youth Literary Association, a charity organisation which strives to serve our community's social and welfare needs by empowering youths to maximise their potential.
How to donate: Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $10, $50, $100, $500 or any other amount.
4. Stand United With Our Special Needs Families
Posted by St. Andrew's Autism Centre on Tuesday, April 6, 2021
About the campaign: This campaign supports the St. Andrew's Autism Centre (SAAC) Hardship – COVID Assistance Fund, which aids SAAC beneficiaries and their families with essential living expenses (eg. food, groceries and utilities), health and disability-related expenses (eg. medical bills and transportation costs), schooling fees, and COVID-19 protection essentials such as face masks and hand sanitisers. SAAC, which serves as an integrated centre for the education, training, and care of persons with autism and their families, is a service under social service agency St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital (SAMH).
How to donate: Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $20, $50, $100, $200 or any other amount.
5. Share-A-Meal 2021
About the campaign: Share-A-Meal is an annual fundraiser event to provide support for students from low-income families in crisis as a result of recent death, major illness or accident of the family breadwinner. This campaign is hosted by Compassion Fund, a crisis response fund that provides timely assistance to prevent families in need from spiralling into poverty or developing other chronic family problems that might negatively impact a child's schooling.
How to donate: Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $10, $50, $100, $200 or any other amount.
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