“People might not understand their background, the environment and circumstances these children grew up in. Most of them lack their parents’ companion and care, and this sets them back compared to others. However, I believe they all have their potential and with encouragement and guidance from the right people around them, they can still achieve their goals when they are adults.”

Gabriel Lee has been a social worker with Life Community since he graduated with a degree in marketing. He decided to pursue a career in the social sector instead, hoping to guide/mentor children and youths from underprivileged backgrounds.

He handles cases of children and youths, aged 12-19 years old, under the Friends of Children and Youth program. This program serves beneficiaries whose parents are presently/formerly incarcerated.

Recalling one incident when he first started, “One of the children told me I will give up on him soon”. But Gabriel never did.

“I sincerely wanted to help him, and I wanted him to know this, that someone cares. Slowly over time, we built trust which changed everything. He gradually became more responsible. He started to care for his siblings and had plans to improve himself. Even though this child has graduated from our program, he still remembers our time together. Seeing him grow and improve so much brings me much satisfaction. It is why I am doing what I do.”

Truth be told, youths have their own thinking and peer influences, and sometimes they disappear and us caseworkers have a hard time contacting them. However, we understand their situations, and still try to reach out to them in whatever ways we can. We hope through this, they will know that someone has not given up on them and hope to guide them on the correct path in life.

My wish is for society to be understanding and not label them quickly. With guidance and a helping hand given, change is possible.”

Life Community provides our children and youths case workers to conduct monthly house visitations, workshops and activities to build character and life skills, provide mentoring and guidance, as well as food rations.

Update in 2020

Today Gabriel in his seventh year with Life Community and is as passionate as ever in what he does.

He is now the Assistant Manager of Friends of Children & Youth program, mentors a group of caseworkers under him, and looks forward to seeing more children and youths’ lives being transformed.

– Article and Photo Courtesy of LianHe ZaoBao
– Read the Original Story here

“With guidance, we hope they will break out of their existing cycles, and that they will also know that they can choose different, better choices in life.”

To help the children break out of their current life circumstances and avoid going down the wrong path, Life Community’s CEO, Ms. Lam Moi Kwai, gave up her high-paying corporate job three years ago to join the organization.

She firmly believes that the decision to switch careers was the right one.

“These children may lack the warmth of a complete family since one and/or both of their parents are incarcerated. These families also often face financial problems – Usually one of the parents have to make a living and as a result, work much longer hours, or 2 jobs. This leaves them highly stressed, and with no time to take care of the child.

It then becomes easier for the child to feel neglected, and go astray without loving and careful supervision from their families. Various research and studies on children from vulnerable backgrounds also do show this trend.

Here at Life Community, we have a programme, called Friends Of Children and Youth, which helps children and youths with one and/or both parents who are incarcerated. In this programme, we have caseworkers and volunteer mentors who will visit our children regularly, to help them develop holistically, as well as to distribute food rations.

With guidance, we hope they will break out of their existing cycles, and also know that they can choose different, better choices in life.”

– Article and Photo Courtesy of LianHe ZaoBao
– Read the Original Story here.

Golf for Life 2018 was held on Aug 2 at the Warren Golf & Country Club. Organised by Life Community Services Society (LCSS), a registered IPC social service organisation that serves over 1,000 children/youth aged 1 – 19, and their caregivers.  The event seeks to raise funds for their intervention work of helping children and families in need.

Golf for Life is the organisation’s primary fundraising event in the year. Mr Seah Kian Peng, MP for Marine Parade GRC, was the guest-of-honour and rallied guests to generously support LCSS in their work with the children and families, with the majority coming from low-income and dysfunctional backgrounds. Close to $230,000 were raised from the event. After a great day of golfing, dinner was held at the Tee Garden. Highlights of the night included an Angklung and youth soccer performance by the beneficiaries of LCSS.

• • • Read the original story from – (Peak Magazine) https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/influence/close-to-230000-raised-from-golf-for-life-2018-by-life-community-services-society

An estimated 3,800 participants, including from corporate groups, helped raise funds for under-privileged children and youth through the Run For Life 2014 at East Coast Park on Saturday (July 19).

Now into its second year, the race already raised S$600,000, and includes the 10km competitive run, 2.4km family fun run and walk, and a 500m Kids Dash.

Held in at Angsana Green in East Coast Park, Run For Life was jointly organised by Life Community Services Society (LCSS) and Noel Gifts International. The charity run was created with the primary goal of raising awareness and funds for LCSS programmes which benefit disadvantaged and at-risk children and youths across all races and religions in Singapore.

• • • Read the original story from – (Today) https://www.todayonline.com/sports/run-life-raises-funds-under-privileged-kids-and-youth
    • Read the original story from – https://www.runsociety.com/races/run-for-life-2014-gave-runners-the-chance-to-help-needy-children/