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.^{[citation needed]}

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]

Working with centres

The Association also runs the following centres:

• City Harvest Education Centre
• House Of JOY (an acronym for “Joining the Old and the Young”) ^[3]

References

1. ^ "About Us". City Harvest Community Services Association. http://www.chcsa.org.sg/2011/about_chcsa.htm. Retrieved August 27,, 2011. 
2. ^ Tsunami relief workers win praise, The Straits Times, page H12, March 31, 2005 [1]
3. ^ "Building The House Of JOY". City News. http://www.citynews.sg/2011/08/building-the-house-of-/. Retrieved 8 August 2011. 

External links

• City Harvest Community Services Association
• Report of tsunami aid work