lakesid...lakeside-news lakeside family services is a member of ncss sept 2016 charity registration...

Lakeside-NewsSept 2016Lakeside Family Services is a Member of NCSS

Charity Registration No: 1294 / IPC No: IPC000214 / UEN: S97SS0022B www.lakeside.org.sgRegistered Address:

Blk 516, Jurong West St 52, #01-73, Singapore 640516

Jurong East Centre

Blk 302, Jurong East St 32,

#01-22, Singapore 600302

Tel : 6564-9677

Fax : 6564-9876

Email : [email protected]

Jurong West Centre

Blk 514, Jurong West St 52,

#01-18, Singapore 640514

Tel : 6567-7270

Fax : 6896-0516


Operating hours: 9.00am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday)Lakeside FamiLy services

Operating hours:7.00am to 7.00pm (Monday to Friday) 7.30am to 1.30pm (Saturday)

Lakeside student care

Taman Jurong Centre

21 Yung Ho Road, #03-01

The Agape, Singapore 618593

Tel : 6265-6522

Fax : 6265-6523


Jurong West Centre

Blk 516, Jurong West St 52,

#01-73, Singapore 640516

Tel : 6567-1908

Fax : 6565-6435


Jurong East Centre

Blk 302, Jurong East St 32,

#01-22, Singapore 600302

Tel : 6564-9722

Fax : 6564-9422


they PLayed and they Gave: sant ritz-Lakeside charity GoLF 2016

runninG the Good race: sheLL mass JoG 2016

140 enJoy a Joyous hari raya!

time traveL to oLd sinGaPore

reBuiLdinG Lives

When Partners care in & around LFs

PayinG it ForWard… With hands & Feet

say or shoW your Love

a FunivaL For FamiLies: 10th anniversary oF taman JuronG centre and oFFiciaL oPeninG oF FamiLy@aGaPe

eXecutive director’s messaGe

smaLL stePs Lead to BiG chanGe

Where do We sLeeP toniGht, mummy?

From saronG keBaya to Prison striPes

reBuiLdinG Lives @ Lakeside

At Lakeside, it has always been our passion to care for the marginalised -the last, the least and the lost- in society. Our Specialised Services department does this by providing care through our work with prisoners and ex-offenders, problem gamblers, the homeless, and their families.

More than ten years ago, we started working with prisoners and their families based on the simple belief that this special group of people needs God’s love and healing as much as anyone else. Through our TJ Haven (so named because our Prison Services are based in Taman Jurong) programme, we serve inmates who are currently incarcerated, as well as those who have been released. We reach out to their families, their spouses and their children through counselling, financial assistance, employment coaching and family bonding activities. We also provide tuition for the children. Today, we no longer call them “ex-offenders”, but “overcomers” instead, as we empower them to overcome the challenges of life!

In 2009, we started our Families-in-Transition (FiT) Shelter to provide temporary shelter and care for families who had lost their homes due to financial difficulties and other issues. Through the Shelter, we also assist them in finding employment and more permanent housing. The lives of our residents are further enriched through men’s and women’s support groups, family activities, as well as tuition and sports activities for the children. Over the years, we have seen hundreds of these families find new hope for their lives and future.

Two years ago, we began our journey in helping problem gamblers and their families. We desire to help those stuck in the web of gambling addiction break away from it, while at the same time offering support to their family members as well. Since we started, we have served more than 200 individuals and their families, and continue to offer support to them in the form of individual counselling and support groups.

Once again, thank you for your support. It is because of your continual support that Lakeside is able to rebuild lives such as these.

God bless!

TEO TEE LOONExecutive Director

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

(Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36)

Rebuilding

Lives

Small Steps lead to

Read on as Mr Issac shared how Lakeside’s TJ Haven (Prison Services) helped him become a changed man.

by QUEENIE QUEK, Community Partnerships Senior Executive

“So… the best way to deal with conflicts is not to react but to respond”, says Mr Issac, sharing a skill learnt from the Family Programme conducted by Lakeside Family Services.

Many ex-inmates like Mr Issac often find themselves in clouds of suspicion by strangers and loved ones alike after returning home. Reacting in anger often becomes their way of defense.

“When I first went home, there were many disagreements. When we go out, my wife wants to go one way, I want to go another way. My wife got upset. I got confused. Instead of reacting immediately, I learnt to think, process, control and respond differently. I learn to accommodate. I was reminded [in the programme] that I have been away for very long.”

During one of the televisit sessions, [a service provided by Lakeside], Mr Issac’s wife agreed to give him another chance. “She was willing to wait eight years for me. I am a real lucky man.” recalled Mr Issac. He was certainly not going to let this second chance at saving his marriage slip away from him.

Together with others of similar background, Mr Issac continues to receive care upon his release from prison under our Overcomers Care support group, which provides after-prison care to ex-inmates and their

families. With support and care from the community, they strive towards patching broken relationships and building resilience as they re-enter society.

“Everything has changed outside. It is comforting to know that I am not alone. The bonding and understanding here make me feel welcome and there is accountability. It makes me feel that it is possible to start things right.”

Instead of reacting immediately, I learnt to think, process, control and respond differently. I learn to accommodate.


BIG Change


Be inspired by how Ms Sharlene rose above her housing crisis with the support from our FiT Shelter.

Where

Do We Sleep Tonight, Mummy ?

“Our mind went blank. We didn’t know where to go.” Ms Sharlene recalled the fateful day her family had to move out of their rental flat. “It was not about us. My husband had to tell the teachers that the kids cannot attend school because there was no shelter.”

Families often fall into a sudden state of homelessness due to broken family ties or heavy debts. Ms Sharlene was forced to close their food stall after their business partner swindled all their savings, leaving the family in debt. It was a friend’s call to Lakeside that saved the family from sleeping on the streets.

“The social worker from Lakeside’s Families-in-Transition (FiT) Shelter found a temporary shelter to house us for three days. We were very thankful. Our two children aged 11 and 7 needed a roof over their heads. Every night counts.”

After three days, Ms Sharlene and family was transferred to Lakeside’s FiT Shelter unit. “Suddenly, we felt safe again. It

was good to have help from our social workers as we filed for bankruptcy. My husband found a permanent job. I worked part-time from a contact by Lakeside. My children were able to go to school again. That’s most important.”

“The pocket money fund helped to ensure the children are taken care of. I also participated in Women’s Programme to learn how we can support our husbands during this difficult period. We had to be strong for our children.”

18 months of effort finally paid off when their rental flat application was approved. Ms Sharlene remembers the most comforting words a struggling mother could ever hear,

“Mummy, once I graduate, I will work very hard to buy a house for you to stay.”

Our two children aged 11 and 7 needed a roof over their heads. Every night counts.



Having experienced the pain of families torn apart by drugs and imprisonment, keeping families together became Diana’s mission.

Does a former SIA air stewardess have anything in common with prisoners and drug addicts? Diana Low, Lakeside’s TJ Haven (Prison Services) staff, certainly thinks so. After a glamorous career of flying all over the world, she reached into the depths of Changi Prison to bring hope and solutions to the inmates and their families.

Diana’s passion to help them comes from being able to identify with their struggles. She had grown up in a dysfunctional family herself. Her uncle was a gangster who died in prison. Her father, stricken with tuberculosis, lost his Subutex painkiller prescription when it became outlawed. The pain was unbearable. “I’ll never forget how he kept shouting that he wanted the drug. They had to tie him to the hospital bed.” She could not hold back her tears. “I loved my father.”

Having experienced the pain of families torn apart by drugs and imprisonment, keeping families together became Diana’s

mission. She conducts Lakeside’s Family Programme on rebuilding relationships, reconnecting with families and reconciliation.

Good advice notwithstanding, people who feel like society’s rejects are not inclined to listen to those who do not understand them. Diana shares her stories with the inmates, which they enjoy immensely. “It’s very rewarding when they thank me for the truthful sharing, how I cried for my father. We also feel sad for our loved ones.”

In her, the inmates find a kindred spirit. As they open up to her, they come to understand the fragility of life and relationships. This motivates them to be better husbands, fathers and sons. In turn, it compels Diana to keep going. “It’s the passion,” she brightens, “every time I go inside the prison, I become very alive.” From sarong kebaya to prison stripes, Diana has never stopped helping others to fly.

by CONSTANCE LIM, Community Partnerships Executive

to Prison StripesFrom

When Partners care

124 golfers raised $180,000 for needy families on 8 May 2016, despite howling winds and torrential rains halfway through the game. Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of Temasek Holdings, was Guest-of-Honour at the Sant Ritz-Lakeside Family Services Charity Golf 2016.

Title Sponsor Sant Ritz (a luxury condominium by developer Santarli Realty) donated $30,000 to Lakeside in the spirit of giving and sharing with the less fortunate. Long-time partners Shell and Far East Organization were also in attendance.

After a dinner filled with good food, fellowship and camaraderie, the night came to a satisfying close with the highly-anticipated Table Draw and Blessed Draw. Thanks to our generous donors, everyone walked away with a gift.

Thank you to all our partners and sponsors for lifting up our families in need and making them the real winners!

by CONSTANCE LIM, Community Partnerships Executive 124golfers

$180Kfor charity

They Played and They Gave: Sant Ritz-Lakeside Charity Golf 2016

When Partners care

Shell has done it again! The Shell Mass Jog 2016 raised $34,000 for Lakeside Family Services from registration fees and personal donations from Shell staff, bringing Shell’s total contributions to Lakeside this year to $145,000!

It was another great turnout as staff from Shell Singapore and their families, together with Lakeside Family Services worked up a sweat. The children of Shell staff and Lakeside Student Care had fun, as they raced in the Kids Dash.

Lakeside children took on an additional challenge from Ms Goh Swee Chen, Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore. To earn their prize vouchers, they raced towards Ms Goh – and they went home as winners!

Lakeside thanks all our friends at Shell for their generosity and compassion for families in need, especially the children and youths. Once again, Lakeside congratulates Shell on its 125th anniversary in Singapore. Lakeside is honoured to be part of their journey since 2011, and hopes to continue working alongside them.


Running the Good Race:

Shell Mass Jog 2016

Once again, Lakeside congratulates Shell on its 125th anniversary in Singapore.


From table hosts, ushers, befrienders, food servers, manning of instant photography and balloon sculpting booths, 140 faithful volunteers from Far East Organization (FEO) put their hearts and souls to make 15 July a special one for families in need.

Recognising the need for them to celebrate Hari Raya as a community without thinking too much about the cost of things, they were invited to enjoy an evening of food, games and laughter. The night ended on a high when a family won a 2-day-1-night stay at FEO’s Village Hotel. “It is very satisfying to enjoy this time together as a family,” shared Mr Abdul, one of the beneficiaries.

Every family also received a $100 cash gift. “The $100 gift provided a temporary relief which empowered them to give back to their loved ones. This is important to them,” emphasised Theresa Jude, co-organiser from Lakeside Family Services.

When Partners care

enjoy a joyous Hari Raya!140

Time Travel to


Most children would probably not be thrilled by another history lesson. Closing those dusty books to make history come alive for our children, volunteers from Youth Corps Singapore (YCS) took them on a special trail of the National Heritage Board (NHB)’s Jubilee Walk.

On ‘A Walk to Remember’, they met with colourful characters like Sir Stamford Raffles, Samsui and Peranakan women. Through the lives and stories of these Singaporeans of yore, the children got a peek into the past.

Old Singapore

The highlight of the day came at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, dedicated to the art and history of local stamps. These children of a digital generation relished the chance to write and post actual letters to their loved ones. They agreed it was a “weird but meaningful experience.”

In this extraordinary excursion, the children enjoyed getting to know more about the history of Singapore. Thank you YCS and NHB for helping them to appreciate our heritage!

When Partners care

Youth Corps Singapore provides the breadth and depth of volunteering opportunities for youths through ad-hoc, regular and project-based service projects, with a focus on reaching out to causes such as education, environment, health, special needs, arts, sports and heritage.

in & around LFs

30 July was special for our beneficiaries as they took a step forward to spread the love in the community.

Our Lakeside Jurong East (JE) beneficiaries-turned-Family Ambassadors courageously knocked on residents’ doors to share the five love languages and encouraged the practice with a love pack.

On the other side, our Jurong West (JW) branch underwent an empowering morning with two talks sharing insightful tips on “Don’t Be Scammed” and how to “Live and Eat Healthily”. The knowledge acquired was shared with other beneficiaries at their homes along with a love pack.

Vincent Wee, Senior Social Worker expressed with pride, “It was a great opportunity for our clients to give back to the community and pay the love forward!”

A big thank you to our partner at Jurong Spring Zone ‘A’ RC! We would also like to thank the Singapore Police Force and Health Promotion Board for their support.

Happy 51st birthday Singapore!!!

Gearing up our JE family ambassadors with tips to share the 5 love languages!

PAYING IT FORWARD…by QUEENIE QUEK, Community Partnerships Senior Executive

with hands & feet

Say or Show

by RICHY HAY, Family Life Educator &

SWEEDY NGIAM, Social Work Associate

Themed, “Discover Your Inner Superhero”, Lakeside’s Family First! Camp 2016 brought 27 families together for a time of understanding love and expressing love according to individual personalities and needs. Using the five love languages, families gained insights into the primary types of love language: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, Physical Touch, for each of their family members. “Our family used to quarrel over small things. No matter how much we tried to advise or encourage our daughter, it doesn’t seem to work. We didn’t know she likes to receive gifts. Now we know.” shared Mdm Wong.

Families were also engaged in skits, family bonding games and activities to shower positive encouragement and live out mutual support within the household.

The camp was held on 10-12 June at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, Johor.

your Love

in & around LFs


3 0 0 u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d f a m i l i e s , residents, grassroots and social service representatives enjoyed the colourful festivities at Lakeside’s FUNIVAL. DPM Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam joined us as Guest-of-Honour, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Lakeside’s Taman Jurong Centre and the official opening of Family@Agape.

The FUNIVAL commemorated 10 years of serving the community in Taman Jurong, particularly families with loved

A FUNIVAL for Families:

ones in prison. At the ceremony, Lakeside renewed its commitment to caring for the disadvantaged. It was also a formal introduction to Family@Agape, a hangout space for the community and their families to relax in and learn new skills. No carnival is complete without games, prizes, popcorn and ice cream. Participants also received information on family violence prevention, social services, problem gambling, and holistic wellness. A free health screening from

10th Anniversaryof Taman Jurong Centre and Official Opening of Family@Agape

in & around LFs

JurongHealth was available for the elderly and underprivileged. To top off the carnival experience, families received goodie bags filled to the brim by generous sponsors.

To the delight of all in attendance, DPM Mr Tharman toured the FUNIVAL, catching up with residents, staff and volunteers. Thank you Mr Tharman for joining us in Changing Lives and Transforming Communities. We’ve come a long way with you!

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