1. Thank you to everybody for being here tonight for this gathering of friends, good friends, strong friendships. It's been a wonderful evening. Now, seeing everyone here tonight reminds me of my own beginnings, of my own “baptism” in the rough sleeping space. I remember it was Christmas night 2020. I was with Minister Desmond. He was my mentor in this space as well, and I was with Brian from Catholic Welfare Services. We spent the entire night reaching out to our rough sleeping friends in the city, and that also included my very first visit to an S3P, a Safe Sound Sleeping Place.
2. Now that was actually a time when most of Singapore were keeping their doors closed, and almost all of us were keeping apart. Remember the term ‘safe distancing’? But what our PEERS partners did then, was really the opposite of what was imaginable. They opened their premises, they welcomed those in need, and I thought what was most important was the fact that all of you opened your hearts.
3. That actually resonated very deeply with me. For years on, I wondered why this piece of work in MSF resonated so much with me. For many years, I didn't have an answer, but recently, as I had a bit more time to reflect and be a bit more pensive, I took time to sit down, condense, and really think about why it is so.
4. I realised that this resonance perhaps came from the fact that I was a former emergency responder with the Life Saving Force, with the SCDF. In the SCDF, when others move away from danger, first responders move towards it, and our PEERS Partners showed that same instinct. When circumstances were at the hardest, you stepped forward when everyone else stepped back. Your efforts remind us that a home is more than just a roof over someone's head. It is also a place of safety, of dignity, of belonging, and perhaps most importantly, of hope. And when we come together to help somebody find a footing again, we are doing our part, putting in place the building blocks to build a more caring and inclusive Singapore. And for that, I really want to thank you from the bottom of our heart. Thank you for your partnership, for your dedication, for your big heart, thank you very much. Please help me by applauding all of you.
5. Now, the road ahead of us will have its own unique challenges. I mentioned 496 (rough sleepers) just now, based on last year's Street Count. But I have no doubt that we will be able to face these challenges the same way we always have together.
6. Let us remember that through our efforts, the individuals that we serve are not just finding a home to stay, but finding a sense of home, a sense of belonging, a sense of hope, and a sense of community. Thank you once again for joining us this evening.