We had a good year! We continue with our outreach to the residents to ensure that our programmes and activities stay relevant to their needs. During the year, we carried out a needs assessment and a survey to gauge the interests of the youths. We had 2 family carnivals and each attracted more than 1,000 residents. The first carnival held in February was graced by our Patron, Mr Cedric Foo. We have had strong support from the grassroots of his constituency Mr Joseph Foo, Pioneer CCC Chairman was the guest of honour at our Family Challenge held in December 2005.
Since our set up, our parent organization, Viriya Community Services has been very supportive of us and for this year, we specially like to acknowledge our deep appreciation to its President, Venerable Sek Meow Ee who rendered much help to reorganize and restructure of two centres. We are also grateful to our Patron, our donors, sponsors, volunteers, friends and staff for their continued interest and unwavering support.
We are pleased to present below our annual report for the year under review.
Audited Financials for the year ended and as at 31 December 2005
Revenue
Government funding
324,000
Amortisation of capital subsidy
89,000
Programme & counseling fee
108,000
School fee
129,000
Donation
88,000
Miscellaneous
13,000
751,000
Expenditure
Activities & events
94,000
Depreciation
104,000
Operating & administration expenses
87,000
Personnel & related costs
491,000
776,000
Deficit for the year
-25,000
Reserve as at 31 December 2005
118,000
Reserve/ total operating expenditure
0.15 years
Corporate Governance Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre had its annual general meeting on 23 March 2005. The members presented adopted its audited financial statement as at 31 December 2004 as well as elected management committee members for the year 2005/06. ( Details of these are set out below)
In addition, the members had an extraordinary general meeting on 13 October 2005 for the purpose of making some amendments to its Constitution. These proposed amendments, though adopted by the members at the said meeting need some changes suggested by the Commissioner for Charities and will be re presented to the members for their consideration at an extraordinary meeting scheduled to be held on 27 March 2006.
The Management Committee met 4 times during the year under review, 23 March 2005, 13 July 2005, 13 October 2005, and 9 January 2006.
It reviewed and refreshed our strategy as well as agreed on our action plan for the year 2005/06. Management Committee members also gave invaluable input to the Centre Managers.
Management Committee elected for the year 2005/06
The following members were elected at the annual general meeting:
President: Ms Jenny Lim Yin Nee
Vice Presidents: Venerable Ong Chong Hock
Ms Tan Ai Hwa, Elaine
Honorary Secretary: Mr. Alan Ng
Hon. Asst. Secretary: Mr. Lim Kim Chuan
Honorary Treasurer: Mr. Alan Wong Thin Hee
Committee Members: Venerable Sek Meow Ee
Mr Richard Tay Ah Jee
Ms Tham Khuan Heng
Ms Pauline Lau
Co-opted grassroots representatives: Mr. Joseph Foo Chew Tuck
Mr. Lionel Goh Thiam Siew
Staff The Society had an average head count of 18. In the year under review, the centres were run by Venerable Sek Meow Ee assisted by assistant managers at the respective centre.
The family is the social glue that holds a society together. Resilient families form resilient societies. In year 2005, Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre (WHFSC) continues to strengthen this structure and function of the family through our various integrative intergenerational familial programmes and services.
Its one-day/one night synchronized couple hood workshop for couples who want to strengthen their marital relationship was very refreshing and well received. Participants commented that the workshop reminded them not to take marriage for granted; it should be worked on and cherished by both husband and wife.
The monthly family life education talks for the families covered topics like communication, relationships and financial planning. For the children, we had “Let’s Read Together” – TreeHouse Club, Literacy Programme and Study Partner Programme .
We also administered the School Pocket Money Fund for over 400 children in our vicinity. Families of these children also served as volunteers during their spare time.
Casework and counseling remains one of our core services. In year 2005, together with HOPE cases, we handled a monthly average of 250 - 300 active cases.
In the area of school social work, our step up programme for Xingnan Primary School and Boon Lay Secondary School has benefited 4,000 students, parents and teachers.
Whispering Hearts Students Care Centre The average enrolment for our school care centre was 54. Our children enjoyed the various programmes run by our volunteers during their June and December holidays. These volunteers came from Anglo Chinese Junior College, Hwa Chong Institution, Raffles Junior College, Nanyang Technological University , Cargill Care, KPMG and MCI. In December 2005, the management of Tampines Mall sponsored the “Baby Looney” live show and the children happily took photos with the different characters.
Workshops to help the students to boost their self esteem and social skills as well as improve their relationships with their peers, parents and teachers were conducted by the counsellors from WHFSC.
We also awarded scholarship to 6 students, selected based on good character and academic achievement.
The Road Ahead We will continue with our family oriented approach and in line with the new service model introduced by MCYS, our programmes will be more focused on preventive and developmental. Of the 3 approved programmes, one will be working with the youths.
We will forge ahead with our mission: ‘we aim to bring joy and enhance the quality of life by providing care and assistance to families and individuals in need of support regardless of race and religion.’ We must truly make a difference to the lives of the people whom we serve.
Report prepared by:
Ms Jenny Lim
President
17 March 2006
Copyright 2007 Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre
