New social service office launched in Bukit Merah

A social service office was launched in Bukit Merah on Friday afternoon, bringing the Ministry of Social and Family Development closer to its target of setting up 20 such offices in HDB towns across the island. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
A social service office was launched in Bukit Merah on Friday afternoon, bringing the Ministry of Social and Family Development closer to its target of setting up 20 such offices in HDB towns across the island. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

A social service office (SSO) was launched in Bukit Merah on Friday afternoon, bringing the Ministry of Social and Family Development closer to its target of setting up 20 such offices in HDB towns across the island.

Located at Block 105 Jalan Bukit Merah, it is one of 10 such offices set up since the middle of last year. Nine more will be progressively rolled out this year.

The SSOs bring help closer to needy residents and enable voluntary welfare organisations and community partners in their areas to provide more coordinated social services.

Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing officiated at the opening of the new such office at Bukit Merah, with Central Singapore District Mayor Sam Tan.

At the ceremony, NTUC FairPrice Foundation chairman Ng Ser Miang also presented Mr Chan with a cheque of $1 million for beneficiaries of ComCare Long Term Assistance, previously known as the Public Assistance scheme. ComCare is the Government's main fund for the financially needy.

Said Mr Ng: "ComCare's aims are aligned to the foundation's objectives in providing a better life for the community by offering long-term holistic support to beneficiaries who are permanently unable to provide for themselves."

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