Yong-en Care Centre:

Of good friends, teachers and church buildings

When Yong-en Care Centre was set up in 1996, it served the flats around Chin Swee Road, Jalan Kukoh, Everton Park and Kreta Ayer Road. These were residential sites that typically had more elderly residents, and the majority of Yongen's activities revolved around assisting people in this age group.

The Centre, a community service supported by Fairfield Methodist Church (FFMC), was started and registered as a society in 1996, and then as a secular charity in 1997. It was awarded Institution of Public Character (IPC) status in 2001, and is now an established care and family support provider located in Chinatown.

However, the profile of the residents is no longer dominated by seniors now, and Yong-en's programmes have evolved accordingly.

Yong-en Care Centre: How it began

After Fairfield Methodist Church (FFMC) moved to Tanjong Pagar Road in 1986, some church members began befriending older residents at Block 5 Banda Street in Chinatown. They visited regularly, offering simple health or nursing care, friendship and advice. Others offered free tuition to students. When the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim returned to FFMC as interim Pastor-in-Charge in 1996, he set the wheels in motion to formalise the work in serving Chinatown, known today as Yong-en Care Centre. The centre initially operated on church premises, and moved to Smith Street in 2000 with the firm support of former Finance Minister, Dr Richard Hu.

Beyond eldercare

After launching a Dementia Day Care service in 2002, Yong-en Care Centre has since adapted and broadened its range of services to provide more family-centred help for different age groups. They now provide a holistic range of programmes in home care, case management, financial assistance, educational support for children, and even youth mental health wellness and weekly youth drop-in sessions.

Gracie Ngoi, Manager (Community Relations) at Yong-en explains, "The profile of the rental flat dwellers has changed over the years. To cater to the needs of the community now, we provide holistic care, going beyond our initial core work of eldercare, such as free tuition. Our annual education awards are ways to encourage our children, and help them reach their fullest potential."

The profile of the residents now includes transnational families. The problems that arise grow more complex when they become single-parent families due to family conflicts, the incarceration or death of one parent, or absence of a spouse.

Consequently, understanding the unique family situations and needs of the individuals involved becomes a significant part of Yong-en's work.

"Many of the children and youths from these families do not receive adequate support from their families. It is Yongen's mission to demonstrate care through giving guidance, and mould them into confident, self-sufficient and productive adults. We do so via educational support and youth personal development programmes," explains Brendon Chua, Programme Executive (Children and Youth Team).

Children who are preparing for critical exams, such as PSLE, and lack support at home, receive help from Yong-en. Every week, 15 volunteer tutors and five paid tutors provide English and Math tuition. The free tuition classes are held at FFMC's premises, with about 40 students between the ages of 10 and 16 in attendance.

A former beneficiary of Yong-en's tuition programme is Ling Wen Jian, who returned in 2021 to volunteer as the tuition programme coordinator at Yong-en.

The 26-year-old software engineer says, "This was the only tuition I had access to when I was a student. I am very grateful to have been tutored by a generous and knowledgeable teacher who always shared Math Olympiad articles with me. He helped to strengthen my love for, and develop my potential in, Math."

Like big brothers and sisters

Small group tuition sessions also ensure each child receives attention and support beyond their academic needs. Wen Jian says that the children see the tutors as more than just their teachers. "We're like their big brothers or sisters. They remember our names, even after we have stopped teaching them for a long time."

Siblings Det Lam*, 15, and Viv Lam*, 16, have been attending the tuition programme since they were in kindergarten. They share how Yong-en has made an impact in their lives.

Viv recalls, "The concern that the youth workers and teachers have for us, and their dedication to support our learning, keeps us coming every Saturday morning, even though weekends are very precious for sleeping in."

"We remember very fondly the times we went for horse-riding and laser tag during the school holidays. We feel motivated to learn with our friends and teachers here. We are so thankful to them for believing in us and helping us to improve in our schoolwork," said Det.

Another beneficiary, Siti*, 13, who is Indonesian, has been attending the weekly tuition programme and youth drop-in sessions. She says, "The teachers are very understanding and patient. They never give up on me, trying many ways to help me understand difficult concepts."

Such human connections and relationshipbuilding can make a huge difference in the lives of these children and youths.

Siti's brother, Aqil*, 14, looks forward to the weekly sports activities. He says, "Being with the staff at the Centre beats being at home and playing games on my handphone. Here, the mentors take time to understand me, speak my language, listen to me. They feel like good friends to me."

"I am thankful to the centre staff for these activities. They help me learn new skills and hobbies like basketball. I also learn that I can be good at something," agrees Siti.

"I feel very happy to learn from the teachers here. I hope to become a writer one day. Here is my first picture story of good friends, teachers and the church building!" Aishah*, 10, who receives weekly English tuition.

More after-school activities for youth

Many of the children and youths may not have opportunities to participate in after-school activities due to financial constraints. They are also at critical growth phases in their lives and have developmental and emotional needs, which might not be adequately met by their parents due to irregular work schedules.

Brendon says, "We are excited to extend our activities to the youths. At our weekly youth drop-in sessions at the Centre's premises on Smith Street and its surrounds, we hope to provide an avenue for them to engage in meaningful activities after school. We want to provide a safe space for them to connect with supportive mentors, to realise their potential, discover their unique strengths, and become youth leaders who can guide their peers and younger siblings, and contribute back to their respective communities."

Wen Jian agrees that relationships are key to what Yong-en offers, beyond academic support. "As a volunteer at Yong-en, I hope that the children can be like me too, to have the chance to build a stronger academic foundation, have someone to ask when they have difficulties with their school work, someone to share their happy moments with, and someone to talk to."

*Not his/her real name

The team at Yong-en Care Centre (Children and Youth Programmes) welcomes more people to join them in their mission. More tutors, befrienders and mentors for the children and youths are needed.

Email mail@yong-en.org.sg or contact the team at 62251002

Visit www.yong-en.org.sg and @ yongencarecentre on Instagram for more information and updates.