Whether you choose to give your time or money this year, there’s no time like the present to give back to the less fortunate in our midst.
Whether you choose to give your time or money this year, there’s no time like the present to give back to the less fortunate in our midst.
Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)
Show your appreciation for the foreign workers – now numbering at least 1.4 million – who are an invaluable if largely invisible part of our workforce by volunteering with TWC2. This non-profit group organises fortnightly weekend outings for migrant workers, taking them on tours of places of interest around Singapore.
Help with the sourcing of outing venues, the planning of events, the execution of post-event activities, the coordination of the day’s activities, or simply just go along on the tour and assist with the photography and interact with the workers. Commitment: Half days on weekends; pre- and postouting planning is ad hoc. Get started: E-mail info@twc2.org.sg for more information.
Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT)
Have a heart for underprivileged women and their families? Offer them your friendship and encouragement by becoming a befriender at DOT, which helps women from lowincome families secure employment through various confidencebuilding and job-readiness programmes.
One such initiative is #asinglelove, a collaboration with the Association of Women for Action and Research that helps single mothers get back on their feet and secure employment. Commitment: At least six months, during which you'll have to take on two cases and share your experiences with other befrienders at quarterly meetings. Get started: Visit www.daughtersoftomorrow.org for more information or to sign up as a befriender.
Food from the Heart
If you want to do your part to alleviate the plight of the less fortunate, consider lending a hand at Food from the Heart’s Community Food Pack programme, which is one of six programmes it runs to serve the community.
In partnership with Residents’ Committees, family service centres and senior activities centres, volunteers ensure that the weekly distribution of bread, non-perishable food items, toiletries and household items reach over 5,700 beneficiaries every month.
Another way you can help out: organise a food drive at work to collect non-perishable food items for distribution. Commitment: Ad hoc Get started: Visit https://foodheart.org/tour/start to find out more.
Dress for Success Singapore
Managed by local charity Image Mission, Dress for Success Singapore has been helping disadvantaged women in Singapore achieve financial independence since 2015. To prepare them for job interviews, it provides women with workwear, and offers classes in grooming, confidence building and interviewing techniques.
Volunteer as a stylist, a career coach or a mentor. Alternatively, help with administrative, fundraising and photography duties. Commitment: Ad hoc Get started: For more information, visit https://singapore.dressforsuccess.org.
Animal Lovers League
Love animals but just don’t have the time to care for one of your own? Volunteer at this local animal shelter. Duties include cleaning shelter grounds, and feeding, showering and walking the dogs. Alternatively, fork out $100 a month to sponsor a furry friend of your choice – and visit him or her every week . Commitment: Ad hoc Get started: Visit www.animalloversleague.com for more information.
Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH)
Those with an artistic bent can get involved with SAMH’s Creative Hub at Goodman Arts Centre, which seeks to harness the power of art, music and dance, using them as a form of therapy for mental patients. Commitment: Once a week for at least a month. Get started: Visit www.samhealth.org.sg/volunteers/ to find out the requirements for volunteering.
TEXT CHERYL TAN PHOTOS 123RF.
