Read stories from throughout MWS' history
Read stories from throughout MWS' history
MWS established Residence@St George’s – a girls’ hostel for youth aged 16-21 years old. The first of its kind in Singapore, the hostel caters to girls who are mandated by the courts after committing some misdemeanours, or are troubled teens in need of rehabilitation. The project is a partnership with General Conference-Women’s Society of Christian Service (GC-WSCS).
Charis Activity Centre for Elders, a community outreach partnership with Charis Methodist Church, started in March. Its objective is to reach out to lower-middle to middle-income seniors in Geylang East neighbourhood with a focus on health and wellness, and engaging them through social activities, skills and hobbies.
MWS was honoured with the top award, the Charity Governance Award 2014 (Large Category). The award acknowledged charities that had adopted the highest standards of governance.
In conjunction with Singapore’s Golden Jubilee and the 130th Anniversary of the Methodist Church in Singapore, MWS created the Getting Out Of Debt (GOOD) Programme. The one-off debt relief scheme was initiated with reference to the Year of Jubilee in the Bible (Leviticus 25). The original target of $ $1.7m was surpassed twice, raising almost $3.4m. That year, 619 families were able to clear most or all of their chronic debt, enabling them to start anew.
MWS marked its 35th Anniversary with a commitment to provide even more lasting impact beyond programmes and services. A thanksgiving dinner fully sponsored by a donor was organised at The Shangri-La for more than 600 people. That year, MWS’ services reached more than 13,000 beneficiaries.
MWS launched the Family Development Programme with the aim of helping chronically-poor families increase their net worth either by matching their savings, or by matching their payment of chronic debt. This asset-building programme also required participants to attend training in financial literacy.
MWS’ engagement with the socially isolated deepens with three new Senior Activity Centres (SAC): MWS SAC – GreenTops@Sims Place in partnership with Geylang Chinese Methodist Church; MWS SAC – Teck Ghee Vista with Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church; and MWS SAC – Fernvale Rivergrove with Sengkang Methodist Church.
MWS underwent a brand consolidation where all centres and programmes were renamed with the “MWS” prefix as a recommitment to its holistic care approach, to strengthen its presence in the community and better support stakeholder engagement.
A second nursing home was also added to the fold with the establishment of MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee.
MWS builds critical mass in engagement with the socially isolated by setting up two more Senior Activity Centres (SAC): MWS SAC – Golden Lily@Pasir Ris with Pentecost Methodist Church; and MWS SAC – Kebun Baru with Ang Mo Kio Chinese Methodist Church.
MWS underwent an organisation restructure such that its 19 individual centres and programmes were consolidated into 3 clusters, namely Family Services, Community Eldercare Services and Residential Services, so as to render holistic care more seamlessly.
A new Care Model began to take shape as MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang underwent extensive renovations to deliver more person-centred care. Developed around the Family Nursing Model, renovations were to last 3 years. The result is a more home-like, dementia-friendly environment for our residents.
MWS’ commitment to governance was recognised once again with a Special Commendation Award for Charity Governance and Management, one of top six awards given that year. MWS was also given a Charity Transparency Award in 2018 and subsequently again in 2019.
MWS formalised its ‘Doing Good Better’ strategy with a commitment to taking a holistic care approach and recognising the vulnerable as persons of strengths, so that they may empowered for more sustainable transformation.
MWS extended its thought leadership with representation in international journals and industry conferences overseas, namely presenting on the Child Welfare Practice Model in Melbourne, Australia, and speaking on Community Eldercare Approach in York, UK.
MWS Family Support Programme was launched to support parents who needed training and guidance in parenting their primary school children and teens.
MWS took over the running of Christalite Student Care Centre, in partnership with Christalite Methodist Chapel, its prior operator.
In a competitive tender that saw several major bidders, MWS eventually won the tender to operate a new Senior Care Centre and Nursing Home in Eunos. The Senior Care Centre is slated to open in late 2021, and the Nursing Home in 2023.
MWS celebrates 40 years with a recommitment to our cause, to empower all to have life to the full by alleviating poverty holistically.