Befriending Rough Sleepers in Singapore
Through befriending and working through government agencies and other community partners, we want to support rough sleepers and homeless individuals with their underlying issues, and help them reconcile with family members, seek employment, apply for financial assistance, and/or secure long-term housing
Area of outreach in Singapore: Whampoa, Crawford Court, Race Course Road
1. Education of Scouts on identifying homelessness, causes of such, actions that can be taken, communication skills necessary for reaching out
2. Led fortnightly walks to initiate conversation with rough sleepers, identify needs and wants, built relationships and trust to facilitate follow up action
3. Engaged multiple government agencies and social services to assist rough sleepers.
Beneficiaries: 40-50 rough sleepers and homeless individuals.
By working through government agencies, we had helped rough sleepers and homeless individuals with re-housing options as well as additional financial support. In other cases, we provided a listening ear to them and supported them emotionally and psychologically.
1. Befriending people in a need is a long term commitment and takes a lot of energy from our Scouts. Constant encouragement and support from the adults is important.
2. By helping others in need, we help our Scouts develop their empathy towards others. We need to be more targeted in the education of our Scouts by helping them understand the needs of others better.
