The self-help group, whose activities currently include running tuition centres for the academically weak and financial assistance schemes for the needy, believes it can do more.

It intends to widen the scope of its programmes to ensure that these Singaporeans have a better chance of moving up the social ladder.

Its new plans include putting together specialised programmes at its tuition centres to help those who are already doing well academically achieve better grades.

It will also work with groups like the Singapore Action Group of Elders to promote active ageing through activities such as surfing the Internet.

The CDAC reaches out to an average of 3,000 needy families and 45,000 individuals every year. But the assistance stops when they are deemed to have become self-reliant.

Speaking to reporters after the council's 16th annual general meeting yesterday, board of directors chairman Lim Swee Say, who is NTUC secretary-general, said the ultimate goal remains that of helping the low-income secure brighter futures.

Board member Heng Chee How, who is NTUC deputy secretary-general, said the changes will benefit the council's existing target group and the wider Chinese community as well.

'By leveraging on the strengths of the NTUC and the Workforce Development Agency, for example, we can train and develop not only the unemployed or those in the bottom 20 per cent, but people who are doing better than that as well,' he said.

Added CDAC executive director Sam Tan: 'Our current approach has been to help the needy get on with life.

'But under the new approach, we will also identify those with potential to do well at work or in school, and help them move up the social ladder so they can lead even better lives.'

Its 2012 vision ties in with the broader national effort to help low-wage earners and their families in the wake of a growing income gap.

The council is one of four community self-help groups here. The others are the Singapore Indian Development Association, Mendaki and the Eurasian Association.

To strengthen its reach to the needy, the CDAC will tap on the network and expertise of stakeholders, such as community development councils (CDCs), and grassroots and volunteer groups.

It is partnering the North West CDC, for instance, to set up a one-stop 'multiple service centre' in Bukit Panjang, to make it more convenient for low-income residents to seek help.

The centre, which will include student care and job-matching services, will be up by the end of the month, said Mr Tan.

To mount such initiatives, said Mr Lim, the CDAC will need to boost its coffers, which are already projected to run into a $1.58 million deficit this year.

But he is confident it can do so by co-funding some activities with community partners and tapping into government-funded programmes.

klin@sph.com.sg