HEARTFRIENDS COMMUNITY SERVICES
~ sharing a friendship that helps ~
ABOUT US
Our MISSION To serve the community, irrespective of race and religion with relevant community and welfare services,
programmes and initiatives marked by Christian service and love so as to provide practical and professional care.
Our SLOGAN Sharing a friendship that helps.
Our CORE VALUES - HEARTS
Our MOTIVATION
OPERATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Our WORKING METAPHORS
Our MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY
OUR JOURNEY
As early as 1991, SJSM has been involved in social actions such as running a Tuition Programme for the community kids and a programme for Moms and Tots. From 1993, the scope of our social services was enlarged to include the Boys Brigade (BB) Ministry (1993), Single Parenting Ministry (1997), Community Health Screening (May 1998) and Dover Befrienders (Aug 1998). By 1997, a Community Service Steering Committee, chaired by the Vicar and comprising laity and full time staff, was formed to coordinate the growing ministries to the community.
In late 1998, Heartfriends, the community service arm of SJSM, was conceptualised to signal to the church and community that community services, especially to the hidden needy, is our God-given responsibility and mission. The church leadership felt strongly that we need to do something concrete to "re-member" those living around our parish.
Hence, 1999 marked the start of a journey to educate our Church and engage the wider community (namely Dover) with several important firsts:
• Heartfriends' logo and philosophy of ministry were made public;
• Heartfriends had its first full time director in Kim Chin;
• Heartfriends Before & After School Care (BASC) at Block 3 in Dover started its operation;
• A Good Neighbour's Carnival was organised to invite Dover residents into our premises; and Moon cakes were distribution to Dover residents.
Over the years, Heartfriends has organised many activities like the English Conversational Classes, Good Friday Dover, Sweet Memories and Yum Cha for the Dover residents. While some of these activities had ceased, others have evolved to become part of SJSM's mainstream activities, e.g. the annual Christmas Cake and Chinese New Year Orange Distribution, weekly Learning Ark and Kopi-Stop, and the biennial Dover Celebrates Christmas. Besides Dover, Heartfriends also extended the presence of SJSM into Henderson Secondary School through new initiatives such as counselling services and BB Ministry for their students. All these activities and services give SJSM additional avenues for outreach to children, youths, elderly, and families, especially those at risk or displaced.
Throughout this journey, the Lord has faithfully led and blessed SJSM with favours and good relationships with the grassroots' leaders and people. With His Spirit moving ahead of us, doors – both physical and spiritual – have been opened to the Church and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Families and individuals have been brought near to know God and His people. Today, Heartfriends focuses on four main movements, namely, the Literacy Movement for children, spearheaded by the BASC and Learning Ark; the Games & Chat Movement for children and families; the Community Visitation Movement by our Care Givers; and the Be-Engaged Movement which seeks to provide meaningful activities or work referral for residents who need them.
So as we continue this journey as a Church, the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:2ff are apt for this 10th Anniversary Celebration of Heartfriends, i.e. "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." May the Lord's message ring out from us not only in Dover but everywhere as we let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Mt 5:16).
CONTACT US
Heartfriends Community Welfare Fund (for financial hardship relief)
Tel: 8831 6772
For all other enquires, please contact us at 6777 0934 or email doverheartfriends@sjsm.org.sg
HEARTFRIENDS Student Care Centre (HSCC)
Also located in the Dover neighbourhood and established in 1999 by St John’s-St Margaret’s Church, the Centre, formerly known as Heartfriends BASC (before-and-after school care) is a non-profit out-of-school care centre serving the Dover and neighbouring communities. It provides a safe and secure environment for up to 60 primary school children after school hours.
The programme focuses on the holistic development of children, with activities designed to nurture intellectual, emotional, and social development. HSCC operates on Christian values and aims to provide a positive and enriching experience for every child.
Learn more about HSCC's programmes and how it can support your family’s childcare needs here.
Click Here to visit HSCC's website
Contact Information
Tel: 67770934 (24 hours)
Email: info@sjsm.org.sg
Address: St.John's-St.Margaret's Church
30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790
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All Rights Reserved.