Very grateful to host the Appointment Ceremony for 62 District Councillors (volunteer capacity) who will serve for the next 3 years in Central Singapore District. PM Lee Hsien Loong graciously witnessed the appointments - so did several other Advisors from the Central District who made time

CDCs are geographic offices at the district level that do three things :

(1) Aggregate cluster of needs of residents at district level (their first port of call is still their MPs and grassroots advisors)

(2) Build networks of resources including volunteers and donors

(3) Connect resources to needs to run district-level initiatives.

I spoke on :

Achievements of the Last term of Council https://youtu.be/vYSZ6Rl3CDw and Aspirations of Central Singapore CDC in the New Term https://youtu.be/WXvQRDZqJzU.

I want to thank especially those who have stepped down, for the 20 new Councillors.

Here's extract of my sharing in print, in case you prefer to read:

...

ACHIEVEMENTS of the Last Term

7. In 2019 alone, Central CDC brought in more than 25,000 volunteers and 1,000 partners to build a ‘Do-Good’ district together. We offered a choice of 52 community initiatives in order to provide the choice to businesses and individuals to help our residents live a better life.

8. To respond to the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my fellow Mayors and I launched our own COVID support schemes such as student free meals; community vouchers to support both lower-income households and heartland merchants.

9. We partnered UOB to develop ‘My Digital Bootcamp’, as part of our CDC’s SkillsFuture Junior initiative. This programme assist lower-income children within our district with relevant 21st century digital-making skills to help them get a head-start in life. Our District Councillors and numerous subject matter experts also joined us to curate and develop this special programme.

10. We worked with Far East Organization who has been giving so generously over the years. You saw the 'Bless our City' video. In addition, together, we co-curated the ‘Ready For School Kit’, where we fund lower-income children with back-to-school necessities at the start of each school year.

11. For the seniors in our district, we have the Silver Series – one example is the Silver Homes, where we mobilise volunteers to clean and spruce up the homes of our elderly residents, to make life a tad better for them. Year after year, we have partnered thousands of volunteers, and supported them with the necessary kits logistics so they can do good and improve the living conditions of seniors living in rental flats.

12. To build a more inclusive society, Central CDC worked with 200 organisations to organise the Annual Purple Parade, the largest gathering of disability supporters in Singapore. We proudly started The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra. You heard them just now at the start.

ASPIRATIONS of the New Term

13. The road ahead will not be easy. The pandemic has stalled growth worldwide, putting at risk jobs and livelihoods. Singapore is not spared. Whilst our Government spares no effort to put the economy on track, things are likely to get tougher before they get better.

14. More than ever, our CDC must remain relevant and take its place to actively aggregate, build and connect; so that society will emerge stronger, not weaker.

15. As we embark on our new term of service, my team and I will stand by the aspiration to help make life better for residents in our district - in physical health, physical environment, social-emotions, financial security and lifelong learning. Some of the plans in the pipeline are community job schemes, home improvement packages, mental health promotion, promoting SkillsFuture and provide further financial support for those impacted by the COVID pandemic.

16. We will continue with our #EnoughTalk Series and partner allies to help the vulnerable. We had already started this work with the homeless, rough sleepers, cardboard collectors in our district. We will continue to pay close attention to these groups and uplift other vulnerable groups at risk of being left behind due to their age, skills or abilities. A local “Singapore Together Alliances for Action” of sorts.

17. We will invest and put together a series of sign-posting resources such as #HomelessGoWhere , #JoblessGoWhere , #StarvingGoWhere so that those who need help and those who want to help , can do so.

18. We will do our part on the ground to reduce inequality, raise inclusiveness and inspire everyone to do something for the common good.

Conclusion

20. Finally I want to thank all our past District Councillors who have supported the work of Central Singapore CDC. Some have graciously stepped down to make way for new members.

21. I also thank the new Councillors for agreeing to serve in the 10th Council. I urge you to tap on your talent, time and network to do all you can to make your time here purposeful and fruitful. The job is as small or as big as you want it to be. Stick your neck out for the common good.