Community Development Arenas in Singapore

In the last two decades or so, community development efforts in Singapore have strongly focused on task-centred community activities namely short-term projects revolving around socio-educational and recreational activities. Such an emphasis is further reinforced by the outsourcing of community services to the private sector which is contracted to deliver services or activities. Although the consequences are not seen immediately, they will in the longer term reinforce learned helplessness of the participants or beneficiaries who are usually relegated to passive or dependent roles.
Through the insights of contributors who are practitioners in the community development field, this book argues that more resources and initiatives must be accorded to community organisations so as to redirect to a community— or resident-centric approach towards community work intervention. In short, more reaching out to people or community groups should be undertaken.
Covering a broad range of arenas including health, housing, ageing, community integration and bonding, among others, this book will open up a wider horizon for community development efforts and provide a reservoir of ideas and strategies to build a stronger and resilient community for more effective community problem-solving.
Contents: Some Challenges in Managing Volunteers and Enhancing Their Participation in the Social Service Sector in Singapore (S Vasoo)The Rise of a Political Community in Singapore (Bilveer Singh and Pravin Prakash)Mobilising Volunteers in Community Development (Francesca Phoebe Wah)Neighbours Programme: A Community Work Approach to Integrate Health and Social Services for Acute Care Hospital Patients (Goh Soon Noi, Zahara Mahmood and Eugene Shum)Developing the Social Capital of Young Drug Offenders: The PST (4Ks) Model (Umardani bin Umle)Using Narrative Practices in Community Development for Children and Families Living in Vulnerable Estates (Mohamed Fareez and Elisha Paul Teo)Community Development with Lifelong Learners in Action for Change (Samuel Beng Teck Ng and Belinda Choh Hiang Tan)Youth Participation in Community Development: Challenges and Potential (Helen Keng Ling Sim and Irene Y H Ng)Bakery Hearts: Lessons in the Intersections of Community Work and Social Entrepreneurship (Elisha Paul Teo and Sheean Chia)From 'Homeless' to Survivalist: A Journey in Community Organising (Chan Xian Jie)The Future of Community Development: Issues and Challenges (S Vasoo)
Readership: Students, social workers, community leaders and policy makers interested in community development issues, in particular to the Singapore context.Community Development;Community Concerns and Participation;Community Programmes;Community Self Help0Key Features:First publication to cover different arenas of community development in Singapore contextContributed by experienced professionals practising community development in different organisations