City Harvest Community Services Association

The City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA) was started in March 1996. It was registered with Registry of Societies in August 1997 and later became a full member with the National Council of Social Services in January 2000.

Promoting the merits of active social care in the society, the CHCSA makes an effort to show faith and hope in the human spirit by providing social services with the demonstration of love to the community at large, including those who are less fortunate, regardless of race, language or religion.

It has managed to garner the aid of more than 700 volunteers and full-time staff who work toward the CHCSA's goal of making a difference in the society. By the end of December 2010, the, CHCSA provided 19,860 services to 11,525 unique individuals of which 6,481 were assisted on a regular basis.^[1]

Terminology

A regular service user is one who receives services rendered by CHCSA staff or volunteers at least once a month, or attends at least 80% of the programs organized or facilitated by CHCSA for a particular service. Such services include visitations, counseling, workshops, welfare assistance, educational/training programs and medical escort. A non-regular service user is one who only takes part in events such as excursions, training or outreaches, but is not consistent in any of CHCSA services or programs.

Aims

The CHCSA aims to provide various services that focus on specific segments of people such as the elderly, children, hearing impaired, terminally ill, families, youth and rehabilitation.

The volunteers and social workers develop their own skills in the art of helping so that the quality of those services provided by CHCSA can be improved. The purpose is to reach out to the underprivileged and disadvantaged, helping them to contribute to society and thereby lead a purposeful life.

Achievements

CHCSA was among the first international aid-relief teams to reach Banda Aceh to offer aid during the Indian Ocean Tsunami on 26 December 2005.^[2]

In recognition of CHCSA’s contributions to the local community, CHCSA has been presented with various prestigious awards.
These include: ^[3]
Outstanding Community Partner Award 2009 (People’s Association)
Certificate of Appreciation for Support during SARS Crisis 2003 (Singhealth)
Champion Blood Mobile Organiser Award 2003–2010 (Red Cross)
Certificate of Appreciation of COPE Volunteers 2003–2010 (SECDC)
Joo Chiat Blood Drive Appreciation Award 2004–2008 (JC CDEC)
Certificate of Appreciation for participation in Red Challenge 2004 (Red Cross)
Partners in Prevention Special Achievement Award 2004 (NKF)
Minister for Health Award for Tsunami Relief Operation 2005 (MOH)
Commendation Award for Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction Effort 2005 (MCYS)
Certificate of Appreciation for Support in Yellow Ribbon Project 2005 – 2006 (SCORE)
Certificate of Appreciation for Midosuji Parade 2005 ( Osaka 21st Century Association, Japan )
Certificate of Appreciation for “Pledge of Reintegration” 2008 (ISCOS)

Certificates for Singapore Book of Records
2005 – Largest Display Of Rice Dumplings
2006 – Largest Picture Montage Made Of Greeting Cards
2006 – Highest Number Of Flats Repainted For The Elderly In A Day
2006 – Highest Number Of Elderly People Doing An Indian Dance
2008 to 2010 – Largest Easter Egg Hunt

Working with centres

The Association also runs the following centres:

POD (People of Destiny) - Services to the Youth ^[4]
House Of JOY (an acronym for “Joining the Old and the Young”) ^[5]

References