Chairman's Message

FORGING STRENGTH, INSPIRING TENACITY

"Kintsugi, translated as ‘joining with gold’, is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold powder... Beyond its craft, Kintsugi has come to symbolise overcoming adversity and finding beauty in the imperfections of life.

In the same way, Kintsugi reflects the journeys of our clients and beneficiaries, who find strength even when life feels broken. They grow more resilient, develop self acceptance, and are motivated to improve their circumstances. Many go on to help others in turn."

Growing More Resilient

Kintsugi, translated as “joining with gold”, is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold powder. By highlighting the cracks with gold, the repaired piece becomes more exquisite than before. Beyond its craft, Kintsugi has come to symbolise overcoming adversity and finding beauty in the imperfections of life.

In the same way, Kintsugi reflects the journeys of our clients and beneficiaries, who find strength even when life feels broken. They grow more resilient, develop self-acceptance, and are motivated to improve their circumstances. Many go on to help others in turn.

In FY2024/2025, 645 clients sought Case Work and Counselling services at FRCS FSC, finding pathways to hope and healing. A further 366 clients were connected to timely and practical assistance through our Information and Referral services.

Expanding Our Footprint

Building on the success of the Parent–Child Link programme, our Focused Intervention Team (FIT) for Early Childhood and Parenting (ECP) launched Parent–Child Grow (PCG) in September 2024. Designed for families with children aged 0 to 12, PCG draws on the Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) to strengthen communication between parents and enhance parent–child interaction.

Over the past five years, we have been expanding our capacity by deepening FRCS FSC’s expertise across a range of intervention strategies, particularly through our FITs. In addition to FIT for ECP, our FIT for Addictions and Mental Health and FIT for Counselling and Psychotherapy continue to grow in impact and capability.

In April 2025, with support from the Yellow Ribbon Fund, we launched The RainTree Project (RTP). A 12-month reintegration programme for ex-offenders and their families, RTP builds on FRCS FSC’s established strengths in addictions work. This initiative marks a significant expansion of our footprint in the addictions field, and strengthens our expertise in supporting reintegration.

Helping the Vulnerable

On 1 August 2024, our Research and Capability Development (RCD) Staff Working Committee presented on the Homelessness Pilot (HOP) — an FRCS FSC practice research project — at the Singapore Association of Social Workers’ Housing Support Network Joint Solutioning Platform. Through HOP, we partnered Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) to provide case work services for homeless persons using the facility as an interim night shelter. Collaborative and outreachdriven, HOP has the potential to inspire similar initiatives across the sector.

In late 2024, The Straits Times featured three articles highlighting how an FRCS FSC social worker journeyed with a stateless client to access financial assistance, secure stable employment, and eventually obtain permanent residency (PR) status. These stories underscore the transformative role of social work in advocating for vulnerable communities and creating pathways for stability and dignity.

Embracing Change

While Kintsugi seeks to restore, the fragility of pottery and its repair also remind us of the impermanence of things and that circumstances change over time. In this way, Kintsugi serves as a metaphor for embracing change.

With the Ministry of Social and Family Development embarking on a nation-wide review of the family service landscape, we are gearing up for a season of transition at FRCS FSC. In FY2024/2025, the Management Committee (MC) and I focused on how best to build on FRCS FSC’s strengths to navigate the consolidation of family services by region.

As the family service ecosystem goes through reorganisation and takes on new form, we remain vigilant yet optimistic. Rather than viewing uncertainties as challenges, we see them as opportunities to reimagine our programmes and strengthen the impact of our work.

Gaining Momentum

In my first year as Chairman of the MC, I have adopted a hands-on approach to better understand how we can guide the organisation safely through this period of transition. By asking the right questions and staying closely connected to what is happening on the ground, we are better positioned to add value to our clients. With clear, realistic, and measurable goals, we can build the momentum needed to propel FRCS FSC forward.

I am deeply grateful to serve alongside an MC that brings both passion and resilience in steering FRCS FSC in the right direction. Our members come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, and we are committed to tapping on their expertise to help FRCS FSC establish its niche within the evolving family service landscape. We were pleased to welcome Dr Felix Lim Meng Hoong, a registered psychologist with extensive experience in social services, to the MC in July 2024. We were also heartened to have Mr Li Guang Sheng, a stalwart in community service, rejoin the MC in January 2025 after dedicating time to his Rotary Club commitments.

Enhancing Career Pathways

The MC and I deeply appreciate our staff for their dedication and commitment. We remain committed to implementing our staff development plan in phases, to strengthen career pathways at FRCS FSC. Initiated by our predecessors, the plan addresses key issues highlighted in an earlier employee survey.

In FY2024/2025, we rolled out the second phase of the plan, which included updating our organisational chart to introduce senior management positions that staff can aspire towards. To ensure consistency of designations across FRCS FSC, the lead social worker was appointed as senior manager of the social service department.

We see the development of staff and organisational change as dynamic. Therefore, the MC and the FSC management team will continue to assess needs and make changes when needed. We believe it is vital to recognise the value of our team members and continuously invest in their growth. By doing so, we not only nurture their potential but also reduce staff attrition and retain the expertise that is essential to our work.

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the MC and the FSC management team for their tireless dedication and for standing by me in our shared endeavour to elevate FRCS FSC to greater heights. We would also like to express our gratitude to Immediate Past Chairman, Mr Khushroo Dastur, and his committee for their steadfast service. With steady and assured leadership, they paved the way for us to advance with innovative tools and strategies — blazing the trail forward. These acknowledgements would not be complete if I did not thank the FSC staff for their hard work and commitment. The work they do day in and day out is demanding, and can be emotionally challenging.

On behalf of FRCS FSC, we sincerely appreciate the support of the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service, Community Chest, SG Cares Office of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, National Addictions Management Service, Yellow Ribbon Singapore, community and grassroots organisations, Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Ltd, Rotary Clubs, and our volunteers. Your invaluable contributions enable us to remain committed to our mission, and inspire resilience and tenacity in the lives of those we serve.

Mr Jeyandran Nadarajah

Chairman

FRCS Family Service Centre

Management Committee

About Us

As a division of the Foundation of Rotary Clubs (Singapore) Ltd and supported by MSF, NCSS, and Community Chest, our team of dedicated social workers and counsellors provides a safe, confidential space to navigate life's challenges.