Over 12,000 beneficiaries to benefit from social programmes addressing youth mental health, elderly care, and family reunification efforts.

Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs with The Salvation Army Board Members

Singapore, 19 July 2024 – The Salvation Army Singapore today announced the successful conclusion of its 28th Red Shield Appeal Luncheon at Conrad Centennial Singapore which raised over $245,000 to support its social programmes which will bring a positive impact to the lives of over 12,000 elderly, youth, children and migrant workers beneficiaries and their families annually through their 14 centres island wide. Donations are expected to continue through the year for the appeal.

This year’s theme of “Restoring Lives” highlights The Salvation Army’s 89-year legacy of helping and transforming the lives of the marginalised. Family reunification, reconciliation, and healing are some of the key focus of the organisation’s social services.

Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs, attended the event as the Guest-of-Honour. Leaders from Singapore’s corporate community were brought together in support of The Salvation Army’s work in social services.

Reuniting Families for Over 35 years

Over the past 35 years, The Salvation Army Singapore has supported over 3,400 at-risk children and youth with shelter, protection, and psychological therapy. With 1 in 3 young people in Singapore struggling with mental health symptoms, and 1 in 6 youth exhibiting these symptoms externally, there has been an increase in the number of abused young victims and child protection cases.

To better address youth mental health needs, the Centre of Psychological and Counselling Services (CPC) was established in March 2023. Led by Dr. Natasha Mitter, CPC has impacted more than 100 children and youths through evidence-based intervention programmes. These therapeutic services include psychological assessments, interventions, and expressive therapies such as play and sand therapy, helping many children and youth from both residential care and the community find healing.

Another beneficiary of the Kids in Play programme is 47-year-old Notle. From 2017 to 2020, the initiative allowed the former offender to see his daughter twice a year until the pandemic halted visits. Kids in Play, in collaboration with Prison Support Services, facilitates bonding between inmates and their children through video calls and in-person visits, benefitting over 680 inmates, 630 families, and 1,200 children to date.

Preparing for an Ageing Population

Since 1979, The Salvation Army has supported over 2,300 elderly residents in its nursing homes. Through various community programmes and physical initiatives, about 43% of Peacehaven residents have maintained or improved their mobility in the past two years, and 74% have improved or maintained their well-being scores within the first 3-6 months of admission.

“Over the next three years, our main focuses would be to expand Peacehaven’s technological integration to enhance the quality of care, improve clinical care and expertise for the CYG, and continue seeking partnerships with like-minded community partners with the aim of bringing down recidivism rates among ex-offenders,” said Captain Tan Bee Yit, District Programme Officer, The Salvation Army. “We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from our partners, and believe that the funds raised will go a long way in strengthening our programmes and empowering those in need.”

About The Salvation Army (TSA)

The Salvation Army has been touching lives in Singapore since 1935 and we remain committed in serving the underprivileged in the community without discrimination. To us, every life is precious and we actively help those in need regardless of age, race or religion. Throughout the years, we have established a comprehensive network of social services to meet a wide range of needs in our community. Our diverse programmes reach out to vulnerable children and youth, frail elderly, struggling families, isolated migrant workers, and other needy segments in our society. For more information about the work we do, please visit our website at https://www.salvationarmy.org.sg

For media queries, please contact

Samantha Jong, Grayling Singapore
Email: samantha.jong@grayling.com

Marc Lee, The Salvation Army
Email: marc.lee@smm.salvationarmy.org