Ever wanted to venture into volunteering but didn't know where to start? Fret not. Read on as STYLEGUIDE has curated a list of seven organisations which support causes that definitely deserve your time and attention! Alternatively, do also take a look at websites such as Giving.sg, whereby there are an array of local, non-profit organisations that champion different causes or you can match your skill set to a particular volunteer activity.
AWARE
Credit: AWARE
Known as Singapore's leading not-for-profit, gender equality advocacy group, AWARE has been dedicated to breaking gender-specific barriers since 1985 and has since effectively advocated against laws, policies and mindsets that discriminate against women. They believe that both women and men have the rights to possess equal opportunities in education, marriage and employment. Not only do they do research and campaigns, they actively provide training programs for schools and the community to further spread their message.
Phone: +65 6779 7137
MINDS
Credit: MINDS
Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) was established by a group of philanthropists who saw the pressing need to provide equal education opportunities for intellectually disabled children. They knew it was significant for their further integration into society as contributing and responsible citizens. Hence, with a variety of support platforms, MINDS has been catering to the needs of persons with intellectual disability since 1962 and is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organisations in Singapore.
Phone: +65 6479 5655
Babes
Credit: Babes
After learning that an average of 5 babies were abandoned each year from 1999 to 2003, Babes realized teenagers with unplanned pregnancies required immense support so that they would not resort to drastic measures out of ignorance or desperation. Today, Babes is positioned as a service specifically for teenage girls in a pregnancy crisis. Its 24-hour SMS helpline is especially helpful as it is an approachable and non-threatening way for the girls to reach out for help.
Phone: +65 6664 8590
ACRES
Credit: ACRES
Initially beginning with just one individual determined to make a difference, ACRES has grown to an organisation with over 18,000 supporters and volunteers, a team of passionate full-time staff and a dedicated committee today. Their mission is to inspire positive change and help animals on a wider sacle through their groundbreaking advocacy and educational work throughout the years. They've been raising awareness on important animal protection issues that had been swept under the carpet and speaking up for animals and giving them a voice.
Phone: +65 6892 9821
Willing Hearts
Credit: Willing Hearts
A secular, non-affiliated charity, Willing Hearts is wholly run by volunteers and just a handful of staff. They are armed with a mission to provide daily meals and other support services to the underprivileged, the needy, and other marginalized members in Singapore, and to assist and guide them towards rehabilitating and reinstating themselves as useful members of our society. Furthermore, Willing Hearts operates a soup kitchen that prepares and distributes about 5,000 daily meals to beneficiaries such as the elderly, the disabled, poverty stricken families, and migrant workers in Singapore.
Phone: +65 6743 0725
SOSD
Credit: SOSD
SOSD's mission is simple - they aim to eliminate cruelty and abandonment of animals, enhancing their welfare, and improve the lives of animals and humans, through rescue, education and advocacy. With the rise of homeless strays in Singapore, SOSD is unified by the common passion to be their voice and to manage the acceptance of mongrels in society. Their ultimate goal is to save our street dogs and give them a chance in life, to the best of our ability. They believe that every dog deserves a home to call its own and in which it is dearly loved.
Very Special Arts (VSA) Singapore
Credit: VSA Singapore
First launched in Singapore by Professor Tommy Koh in 1993, VSA believes in offering individuals with special needs access to the arts. They've been providing individuals with disabilities the opportunities to participate in the arts for rehabilitation and social integration. To achieve this, VSA Singapore promotes the educational, social, rehabilitative and therapeutic benefits of the arts through three main programmes - Arts in Learning, Rehabilitation and Training (ALERT), Arts for Livelihood and Employment (ALIVE), and Arts for Performance and Expression (APEX).
Phone: +65 6448 6275 (@ Bedok)
