SINGAPORE - Residents in Serangoon in need of assistance can turn to a new social service office, which was officially opened on Thursday .
The office will disburse funds to needy residents, and work with voluntary welfare organisations and community partners in the area to coordinate the social services they offer.
The office at Block 332, Serangoon Ave 3 joins 15 others, as part of the Ministry of Social and Family Development's plans to set up 24 offices across the island by this year.
Since it started operations three months ago, the office has handled about 500 cases.
Most of these were residents in need of financial assistance, families whose breadwinners had recently lost their jobs or needed help with medical or childcare issues, said the office's general manager Lim Lay Ling.
On Thursday, the office was opened by Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng, who represents Braddell Heights ward.
Also present was Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing, grassroots leaders and charity representatives.
Along with family service centres islandwide, the offices will put help within 2km of where 95 per cent of needy residents live or work.
